Web Site of the Program

Head of Program : Hasan Umut

Executive Committee : Arzu Öztürkmen, Lale Babaoğlu Balkış, Oya Pancaroğlu

Professors : Güven Alpay*, Mine Eder, Selçuk Esenbel†*, Huricihan İslamoğlu*, Asım Karaömerlioğlu*, Arzu Öztürkmen, İsenbike Togan*, Mehmet Ölmez*, Oğuz Baykara*

Associate Professors : Oğuz Baykara, Yücel Terzibaşoğlu, Meltem Toksöz

Assistant Professors : Kadir Temiz*, Ceren Ergenç Glauberman*, Fethiye Meltem Türköz*

Instructors : Ali Akkemik*, Yasutoshi Arai, Altay Atli*, Mariko Erdoğan, Esin Esen*, Yuiko Goya, Sema Emel Göksel*, Erdal Küçükyalçın*, Ayşe Gün Soysal*, Guiyan Yang, Derya Yurdakul, Altay Atlı*, Erdal Kucukyalcin*

Visiting Scholars : Dr. Hyun Woong Hong*, İdil Tuncer Kılavuz*, Noriko Nakayama*, Dr. Fernando Rosa, Çağdaş Üngör*

*Part-time 

† Professor Emeritus


THE MASTER OF ARTS PROGRAM IN ASIAN STUDIES (MAAS) 

The rise of Asia is defining global processes in all respects, which makes it absolutely necessary for individuals from any walk of life to have a better understanding of the dynamics behind the ascent of the Asian continent. The role of Japan, China, India, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore in the world economy and international relations contributes to Asia as a regional center of globalization.

The Master of Arts Program in Asian Studies at Bogazici University (MAAS) aims to provide students from different academic and professional backgrounds with a solid foundation in this field, and to prepare them for the challenges of the 21st century. The program combines a multi-disciplinary approach incorporating political, economic, social and cultural studies of Asia with language courses aiming to equip the students with working knowledge in an Asian language. MAAS prepares students for a wide range of career options -in the government, business world, NGOs, international and national think-tanks on area studies and international relations, the academy, journalism/media, publishing, cultural foundations and the like- in today's and tomorrow's world where Asia is to play an increasingly assertive role.

MAAS is offered by Bogazici University Institute of Social Sciences, supported by the Asian Studies Center and the Department of History. Presently, the program offers two Regional majors concentrating on Japan and China respectively. The program in Japanese studies and Chinese studies includes education on general Asia as well as additional elective courses on Korea, India, Central Asia, the Middle East/West Asia, and South East Asia. The program is complemented with Japanese and Chinese language instruction.
 

THE MASTER OF ARTS PROGRAM IN ASIAN STUDIES (MAAS) WITH THESIS OPTION

The Program offers the option of writing an M.A. thesis that is intended for students who want to directly pursue a Ph.D. degree. The Master of Arts in Asian Studies with Thesis is a two year program of 37 credits constituted of 4 Semesters. Students with a minimum 3.00 point average at the end of their Second Semester can choose the Thesis option that will be completed in the 3rd and 4th Semesters. Students will complete an M.A. Thesis at the end of the 4th Semester instead of writing a Research Report. The students who choose the Thesis option will take ASIA 690 Thesis with 0 credit with ASIA 593 Directed Readings with 1 credit in the Third Semester, and take ASIA 690 Thesis with 0 credit with ASIA 594 Directed Readings with 1 credit and the ASIA 579 Graduate Seminar course with 0 credit in the Third Semester.

M.A. PROGRAM IN ASIAN STUDIES (MAAS) WITH THESIS OPTION

Total: min. 37 Credits/166 ECTS.
 

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
 

I. GENERAL ASIA COURSE ELECTIVES 

ASIA 501 Paths of Modernity in Asia (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Asya'da Çağdaşlaşma Örüntüleri)
Discussion on the paths of modernity in Japan, China, and India during the last two centuries to bring light to contemporary developments. Integration with the West, regional developments, national and local processes in a global frame. Focus on the historical legacy of modern Asia and topics such as technological input, social and cultural experiences, gender issues linked to the processes of the industrial revolution, economic transformation, nation-state building.

ASIA 502 Readings on Asian Economies (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Asya Ekonomileri İncelemeleri)
Basic dynamics behind the rise of Asian economies within the global economic system. A short economic history of Asian countries, theoretical discussion of economic blocks, parameters behind regional integration. Emphasis on Japanese and Chinese economic development. Structures and problems of Asian economies.

ASIA 503 Turkey's Relations with Asia (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Türkiye-Asya İlişkileri)
The Ottomans in Asia as background. Turkey`s relations with Asian countries in South Asia, Central Asia, South East Asia and East Asia. Focus on the historical background and present-day relations with Japan, China, Central Asian Republics, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Korea, Thailand. Emphasis on Asian regions outside of the "Middle East" hemisphere.

ASIA 504 Patterns of Asian Civilizations (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Asya Uygarlık Örüntüleri)
Modern developments in Asian civilizations in the light of historical background. Focus on the general patterns of classic Asian Civilizations in India and China as well as the historical experience of Korea, Japan, and South East Asia. Discussions of religious, literary, philosophical tenants as well as cultural components of traditional culture and links with contemporary dynamics.

ASIA 505 Art and Culture in Asia (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Asya'da Sanat ve Kültür)
Introduction to the art and culture of Asia from the first millennium B. C. to the present with special emphasis on India, China, and Japan. Regional and dynastic expressions of Asian art and architecture studied in a cross-cultural perspective in the context of religious beliefs, social and political rituals, and daily life.

ASIA 506 History and Memory in East Asia (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Doğu Asya'da Tarih ve Bellek)
The interaction of history and memory in contemporary China, Japan, and Korea. History writing and national identity within these countries affecting their mutual relations. Discussion on the concepts of collective history, selective history, and disputed histories. Study of the memory of the Second World War, museums and monuments as well as selections from history writing.

ASIA 507 European Colonialism, Imperialism, Asian Nationalisms, and the Modern History of Asia (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Avrupa Sömürgeciliği, Emperyalizm, Asya'da Ulusçuluk ve Asya'nın Çağdaş Tarihi)
Legacy of colonialism and imperialism in modern Asia. British, Russian, Dutch, French Empires and their colonial projects. The Asian nationalist movements and debates in a comparative frame. De-colonization and independence.

ASIA 508 Seminar on the Asia-Pacific Region (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Asya-Pasifik Semineri)
The historical and contemporary patterns of regional integration in the Asia-Pacific region. Regional organizations ASEAN and APEC. Japan, China, US and Australia in Asia.

ASIA 509 Comparative Political Economy in Asia (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Asya'da Karşılaştırmalı Politik Ekonomi)
Comparative political economies of India, China, and Japan. The process of integration of these economies with the world economy from 19th century onwards; their similarities and differences.

ASIA 510 Modern Society and Gender in Asia (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Asya'da Çağdaş Toplum ve Toplumsal Cinsiyet)
The comparative analysis of gender relations and women`s role in Asian societies with emphasis on India, China, and Japan. Understanding the role of women in the history of Asia through modernist and post-colonial theories.

II. REGIONAL COURSE ELECTIVES
a. SOUTH ASIA

ASIA 511 Indian Society and Culture (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Hint Toplumu ve Kültürü)
Focus on modern Indian society and culture in terms of national-identity, social caste, gender, and post-colonial legacy. Social transformations through the 19th century to the 21st century.

ASIA 512 South Asian International Relations and Politics (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Güney Asya'da Uluslararası İlişkiler ve Siyaset)
The role of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh in world affairs; the Gandhi movement, Jinnah and Pakistan, Nehru's foreign policy of neutrality, regional problems of security, and parliamentary politics.

ASIA 513 Readings in India's Social and Economic History (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Hindistan'in Sosyal ve Ekonomik Tarihi üzerine Okumalar)
Selected readings on contemporary social economic developments in India and the recent impact of globalization.

ASIA 514 Indian History from Kingdom to Colonization (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Saltanattan Sömürgeye Hindistan Tarihi)
A brief look at the Mogul empire founded by Babur Shah from the perspective of Central Asian state formation in the sixteenth century. The investigation of political, economic, and social aspects of British colonialism's take over of the Mogul empire during the nineteenth century.

ASIA 515 Indian History from Colonization to Independence (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Sömürgeden Bağımsızlığa Hindistan Tarihi)
The role of India's entrance into the British Commonwealth in global colonial history. The study of the diverse ethnic, religious, and linguistic structure of Indian society as colonial history. Focus on major independence movements, the emergence of Pakistan and India as independent republics.

ASIA 516 Readings in South East Asian Studies (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Güneydoğu Asya Okumaları)
Selected topics on the historical and contemporary developments in Malaya, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

b. JAPAN

ASIA 517 Japan and Asia (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Japonya ve Asya)
The historic relations of Japan in the larger regional context of Asia; Japanese interest in Central Asia, imperial Japan and Asia, the Japanese intellectual debate on Asianism, post-war Japanese interaction with Asian countries.

ASIA 518 History of Modern Japan (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Modern Japonya Tarihi)
A brief survey of Japan`s modern history since the nineteenth century. Focus on political, economic, social, and cultural processes that created the "Japanese modern". Comparative analysis of these processes with the European and Turkish experiences.

ASIA 519 History of Japan's International Relations and Foreign Policy (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Japonya'nın Uluslararası İlişkileri ve Dış Politikası)
A survey of Japanese international relations and foreign policy in the pre-war and post-war periods. Recent issues in Japanese foreign policy. Japanese- Turkish relations.

ASIA 520 Japanese Society through Modern Literature (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Çağdaş Edebiyat Açısından Japon Toplumu)
Modern Japanese society and culture through modern literature and cultural forms, cross-cultural translation issues. A critical analysis of modern Japanese novels and short-stories.

ASIA 521 Japanese Society through Art and Culture (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Sanat ve Kültür Açılarından Japon Toplumu)
Japanese society and culture through art, architecture, and material culture. Film, Manga and popular graphic art as social expression.

ASIA 522 Seminar in Japanese Studies (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Japonya Çalışmaları Semineri)
Selected readings on Japanese history, society, economy, politics, and culture.

ASIA 523 Japanese Management Culture and Know-how (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Japon İşletme Kültürü ve Ustalığı/Uzmanlığı)
A brief history of Japanese business. Guide to customs and business practices of the Japanese firm. Founding principles of corporate Japan, a comparative view of Japanese business personality and management system. Principles of negotiation strategies and communication in selected markets of Asia and Japan.

ASIA 524 The Japanese Economy (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Japonya Ekonomisi)
Economic history of Japan and the Japanese "model" of industrialization. Pre-war and post-war development. The present and future prospects of the Japanese economy.

ASIA 525 Historiography of Modern Japan (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Modern Japonya Tarihyazımı)
History writing in Japan linked to the concepts of modern Japan, the situation of Japan vis-à-vis the West. Expression of justifying or critique of colonial empire, nationalism and reform.

c. CHINA

ASIA 526 An Introduction to Chinese History (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Çin Tarihine Giriş)
An overview of Chinese history. Major developments in Chinese history synchronized with major trends in Asian history. Focus on 19th century reform movements and 20th century revolutions.

ASIA 527 Modern History of China (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Çağdaş Çin Tarihi)
The nineteenth and twentieth century history of China. Coming of the West, the Opium Wars, protest movements against Western imperialism and start of reforms. The 1911 Revolution, Sun Yat Sen and the Republic. May 4th and New Culture Movement. Political parties and the Chinese Communist Party. The establishment of the People`s Republic of China.

ASIA 528 China`s International Relations and Foreign Policy (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Çin'in Uluslararası İlişkileri ve Dış Politika)
Brief survey of People's Republic of China international relations and foreign policy. Sino-Turkish relations from the second half of 20th century onwards. China's foreign policy in the context of regional dynamics.

ASIA 529 Chinese Economy and International Trade (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Çin Ekonomisi ve Uluslararası Ticaret)
Recent trends in Chinese economic development and international trade. China`s interaction with globalization. Chinese responses to global crises and future prospects.

ASIA 530 Chinese Society and Culture (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Çin Toplumu ve Kültürü)
A general look at the society and culture of China. Overseas Chinese culture. The critical differences of modern literature, film, and art in and out of China. Analysis of major and minor works of Chinese art.

ASIA 531 Seminar in Chinese Studies (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Çin Çalışmaları Semineri)
Selected readings in Chinese society, economy, culture, and politics.

ASIA 532 Modern Society and Gender in China (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Çin'de Çağdaş Toplum ve Toplumsal Cinsiyet)
Analysis of gender and women in Chinese society. The transformation of women's social roles from the 1911 Revolution until today. Women's movements and feminism in China.

ASIA 533 Modern Chinese Historiography (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Modern Çin Tarihyazımı)
Focus on the historical discussions, modernity problem, Marxist and post-Marxist issues in China.

ASIA 534 Literature in China (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Çin'de Edebiyat)
Themes such as class, gender and race through Chinese literature. Analysis of the changes, developments and ruptures in the history of Chinese literature, from the first novel in Chinese history to the emergence of modern literature.

d. KOREA

ASIA 535 Topics in Modern Korean History and Culture (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Çağdaş Kore Tarihi ve Kültürü)
Introduction to Korean history and culture. Modern Korea and the twentieth century. The Japanese occupation. The Korean War and its aftermath of divided Korea. The political and economic dynamics of South Korea. The North Korea crisis.

ASIA 536 Seminar on Modern Korea (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Çağdaş Kore Semineri)
Comparative political economy of South Korea. Korea and international relations of North East Asia. Korean society and politics.

ASIA 537 Education Policies in Korea (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Kore Eğitim Politikaları)
Educational policies in Korea from compulsory education to graduate level education. The reflection of Korean policy-making in technology and industry in the Korean education system. 

e. RUSSIA/CENTRAL ASIA

ASIA 538 Russia in Asia (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Asya'daki Rusya)
The nineteenth and twentieth century history of Russia in Asia and Central Asia. Russia`s relations with India, China and Japan.

ASIA 539 History of Russia in Central Asia (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Orta Asya ve Rusya Tarihi)
Historical background of Russia and of the Central Asian Khanates. History of reform and revolution in Russian Turkic and Muslim communities. Relations between Central Asia and the Ottoman-Turkish world.

ASIA 540 Contemporary Russia and Central Asia in World Politics (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Dünya Politikasında Günümüz Rusyası ve Orta Asya)
Contemporary developments in Russia and Central Asian independent countries. War in Afghanistan, energy and security issues. Relations between Russia, the Caucasus, and Central Asian Independent States. 

f. MIDDLE EAST/WEST ASIA 

ASIA 541 The History of the Middle East in the Twentieth Century (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(20. Yüzyıl Ortadoğu Tarihi)
Introduction to the history of the Middle East after World War I. Study of historical themes that dominate present concerns. Theoretical approaches to the historiography of the Middle East.

ASIA 542 The Middle East and Asia (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Orta Doğu ve Asya)
Historical and contemporary interaction between the Middle East and regions in Central Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and South East Asia. Chinese and Japanese interactions with the Middle East and the Islamic world. Religious, political, energy, and security questions in Middle East. 

III. SELECTED TOPICS

ASIA 543 Selected Topics in Asian Studies (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 8
(Asya Çalışmalarında Seçilmis Konular)
Selected topics in languages and regional/ country studies of Asia. 

IV. LANGUAGE ELECTIVES

ASIL 501 Beginner's Japanese I (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 6
(Japoncaya Giriş I)
Introduction to basic Japanese conversation, grammar, and vocabulary. Hiragana and Katagana. Brief introduction to Chinese characters (Kanji).

ASIL 502 Beginner's Japanese II (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 6
(Japoncaya Giriş II)
Complex sentence structures; plain versus polite style Japanese. Reading and writing 100 new Kanji characters.

ASIL 503 Intermediate Japanese I (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 6
(Orta Düzey Japonca I)
Intermediate Japanese grammar and vocabulary. Newspaper and media readings, translation practice in economic, political, cultural topics. Focus on developing the knowledge of characters (Kanji).

ASIL 504 Intermediate Japanese II (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 6
(Orta Düzey Japonca II)
Intermediate Japanese grammar and vocabulary. Extensive newspaper and media readings, translation practice in economic, political, cultural topics. Focus on learning more characters (Kanji).

ASIL 505 Advanced Japanese I (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 6
(İleri Japonca I)
Advanced Japanese grammar and vocabulary. Extensive reading of newspaper and media articles, translation practice in economic, political, cultural topics.

ASIL 506 Advanced Japanese II (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 6
(İleri Japonca II)
Advanced level readings and translation in economics, politics and topics related to Japanese culture.

ASIL 507 Beginners Chinese I (3+0+0 ) 3 ECTS 6
(Başlangıç Düzeyinde Çince I)
Introduction to basic Chinese conversation, grammar, and vocabulary. Basic Chinese characters.

ASIL 508 Beginners Chinese II (3+0+0 ) 3 ECTS 6
(Başlangıç Düzeyinde Çince II)
Chinese conversation, grammar and vocabulary. Development of Chinese characters knowledge.

ASIL 509 Intermediate Chinese I (3+0+0 ) 3 ECTS 6
(Orta Düzey Çince I)
Intermediate Chinese grammar, vocabulary and mastery of Chinese characters. Newspaper readings, translation practice in economic, political, and cultural topics.

ASIL 510 Intermediate Chinese II (3+0+0 ) 3 ECTS 6
(Orta Düzey Çince II)
Intermediate Chinese grammar, vocabulary and mastery of Chinese characters. Extensive newspaper readings, translation practice in economic, political, and cultural topics.

ASIL 511 Advanced Chinese I (3+0+0 ) 3 ECTS 6
(İleri Düzey Çince I)
Advanced Chinese grammar and vocabulary. Advanced Chinese readings and translations in economic, political, and cultural topics.

ASIL 512 Advanced Chinese II (3+0+0 ) 3 ECTS 6
(İleri Düzey Çince II)
Advanced Chinese readings and translations in economic, political, and cultural topics.

ASIL 513 Introduction to Russian I (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 6
(Rusçaya Giriş)
Introduction to reading, writing, and comprehension skills. Basic Russian grammar forms.

ASIL 514 Introduction to Russian II (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 6
(Rusçaya Giriş II)
Complex structures in Russian. Passive and active voice. More advanced forms of Russian conversation, reading and writing skills.

ASIL 515 Beginners Korean I (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 6
(Koreceye Giriş I)
Practice and mastery of Hangul, the Korean alphabet. Acquisition of basic Korean sentence patterns and sound system.

ASIL 516 Beginners Korean II (Koreceye Giris II) (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 6
(Koreceye Giriş II)
Irregular predicates, past and future tenses, honorific and deferential speech styles.

ASIL 517 Introduction to Central Asian Turkic Languages I (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 6
(Başlangıç Düzeyinde Orta Asya Türki Dilleri I)
Introduction to grammar and reading texts in Chagatay, Kipchak and other Central Asian Turkic languages.

ASIL 518 Central Asian Turkic Languages II (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 6
(Orta Asya Turki Dilleri II)
Study of advanced grammar and conversation of Azeri and Central Asian Turkic languages.

ASIL 519 Introduction to Hindi I (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 6
(Başlangıç Düzeyinde Hintçe)
Introduction to Hindi and Hindustani. Relations with Urdu. Sanskrit alphabet. Basic grammar and conversation skills.

ASIL 520 Hindi II (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 6
(Hintçe II)
Reading modern Hindi press and media. Study of intermediate-advanced grammar and conversation.

ASIL 521 Introduction to Urdu I (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 6
(Başlangıç Düzeyinde Urduca I)
Introduction to Urdu. Arabic alphabet use. Basic grammar and conversation skills.

ASIL 522 Urdu II (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 6
(Urduca II)
Reading Modern Urdu press and media. Study of intermediate-advanced grammar and conversation.

ASIL 523 Introduction to Arabic I (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 6
(Başlangıç Düzeyinde Arapça I)
Arabic alphabet. Introduction to word structure, grammar and vocabulary. Introduction to classical Arabic grammar. Selected readings of modern standard Arabic texts.

ASIL 524 Arabic II (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 6
(Arapça II)
Word types and sentence structure. Intermediate grammar and vocabulary. Readings from selected texts of modern standard Arabic media and press.

ASIL 525 Introduction to Persian I (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 6
(Başlangıç Düzeyinde Farsça I)
The Persian alphabet. Introduction to the word structure, grammar and vocabulary of Persian. Introduction to elements of classical prose and poetry. Selected readings from modern Persian.

ASIL 526 Persian II (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 6
(Farsça II)
Intermediate grammar and vocabulary. Readings from selected texts of modern Persian media and press. 
 
V. RESEARCH METHODS 

ASIA 548 Research Methods (3+4+0) 3 ECTS 4
(Araştırma Yöntemleri)
Research methods in social sciences. Data collection and analysis methods. Theoretical approaches and textual readings. Academic publications writing rules and regulations, examples, and applications. 

VI. PROJECT/DIRECTED READINGS

ASIA 549 Project Paper (0+2+0) 0 ECTS 14
(Bitirme Projesi)
Directed research and writing for term paper on topic of interest to the student chosen with the approval and guidance of advisor.

ASIA 590 Directed Readings in Asian Studies I (1+3+0) 1 Pass/Fail ECTS 6
(Asya Çalışmaları Üzerine Yönlendirilmiş Okumalar I)
Guided readings on selected Asian Studies issues leading to the preparation of a term project.

ASIA 591 Directed Readings in Asian Studies II (1+3+0) 1 Pass/Fail ECTS 6
(Asya Çalışmaları Üzerine Yönlendirilmiş Okumalar II)
Guided readings on selected Asian Studies issues leading to the preparation of a term project.

ASIA 592 Directed Readings in Asian Studies III (1+3+0) 1 Pass/Fail ECTS 6
(Asya Çalışmaları Üzerine Yönlendirilmiş Okumalar II)
Guided readings on selected Asian Studies issues leading to the preparation of a term project.