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Asia Across the Disciplines: Interdisciplinary Training
Overview
The Asian Studies program covers the following requirements: VIEW IMAGE CHART.
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- Coursework (includes core courses, electives)
- Language competency requirement
- Comprehensive Exams
- Thesis (if applicable)
Inter- and Multi-disciplinary Approach to Asia
Asian Studies majors take courses on politics and governance, social and economic development, and culture and society of their chosen area of specialization: Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, or West Asia.
Grounded also in theories of area studies and research methods, they also learn from professors who specialize in various disciplines—from history and political economy to international relations, anthropology, literary criticism, just to name a few— and thus acquire a broader and more holistic perspective on their area of specialization.
In addition, students get to interact with their peers/classmates who themselves work/come from different industries.
Interdisciplinarity is highly encouraged in the program; though students specialize in a region, they are invited to take electives on other Asian regions, or other subjects, even those outside the UP Asian Center, depending on their research interests.
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Thesis or Nonthesis?
The Asian Center offers two tracks for its MA programs in Asian Studies:
• Master of Arts in Asian Studies (Thesis track)
• Master in Asian Studies (Non-thesis)
The non-thesis track entails additional coursework.
Please note that some PhD programs abroad, if not in the Philippines, require an M.A. thesis as part of the application process.
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Areas of Specialization
Regardless of track, students must specialize on one of four regions.
• Northeast Asia
• Southeast Asia
• South Asia
• West Asia
Northeast Asia majors will specialize on China, Japan OR Korea. The other regions do not entail a country of specialization. Please view the list of courses for each area of specialization in the "Coursework" tab on the left.
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Interdisciplinary Coursework, Integrative Approach
Asian Studies majors are exposed to the different facets of their area of specialization. By taking a broad range of courses—from politics and economics to culture and history—students are encouraged to think holistically and approach issues and problems from different angles.
View list of Asian Studies courses.
Program of Study: List of Required Courses
The program of study lists down the required courses according to track and area of specialization.
Master of Arts in Asian Studies (Thesis)
Master in Asian Studies (Nonthesis)
Northeast Asia
Northeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
South Asia
South Asia
West Asia
West Asia
Class Schedules
Weekdays (Once a Week Per Course)
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- 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays
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- 8:30 am–11:30 am (9 am–12 noon in some cases)
- 12:30 pm–3:30 pm (1 pm–4 pm in some cases)
- 3:30 pm–6:30 pm (4 pm–7 pm in some cases)
Schedules depend on the teacher and the semester.
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Language Proficiency
Competency in an Asian language IS NOT required for application to the program.
Once enrolled, Asian Studies majors are required to demonstrate such competency in one (1) language pertaining to their area of specialization.
Northeast Asia
Mandarin, Nihonggo, or Korean
Southeast Asia
Bahasa, Thai, Khmer, Vietnamese, Burmese, Khmer; for others, consult adviser
South Asia
Hindi; for others, consult adviser
West Asia
Arabic or Persian; for others, consult adviser
Options to Comply with Language Requirement
00 Which languages can I take, and where can I take classes?
Language Proficiency: MA
The language must be relevant to the student's thesis and/or area of specialization. Please discuss with your Program Adviser. The institution must be reputable/recognized. Please Tabs 01, 02, 03 for options.
Philippine Studies
Any Filipino language other than Tagalog OR
any foreign language relevant to thesis/specialization
Northeast Asia
Mandarin, Nihonggo, or Korean
Southeast Asia
Bahasa, Thai, Khmer, Vietnamese, Burmese
South Asia
Hindi; for others, consult adviser
West Asia
Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, Turkish; for others, consult adviser
01 The Twelve-Unit Route (in UP Diliman)
Students can pass twelve (12) units of language courses offered by and through the UP Asian Center or by other UP Diliman units, such as the Department of Linguistics or the Institute of Islamic Studies
Arabic 10, 11, 12, 13 (amounting to 12 units) are taught at the Institute of Islamic Studies, University of the Philippines Diliman. Please do not enroll in any of these courses without the approval of your program adviser and the Office of the College Secretary.
LANGUAGE
WHERE in UP DILIMAN
COURSE NAME in CRS
Mandarin
Department of Linguistics
"Intsik"
Mandarin
Confucius Institute
N/A
Japanese
Department of Linguistics
"Hapon"
Korean
Department of Linguistics
"Koreyano"
Thai
Department of Linguistics
"Thai"
Bahasa
Department of Linguistics
" B Ind/Mal"
Persyan
Department of Linguistics
"Persyan"
Arabic
Institute of Islamic Studies
"Isl Stud"
Spanish
Department of European Languages
"Span"
02 The 192- or 96-Hour Requirement
Students can complete the required number of hours of language classes (192 hours for Asian Studies majors and 96 hours for Philippine Studies majors) offered by an accredited institution outside UP Diliman.
The extramural classes of the Department of Linguistics are included in this category.
China majors can take up classes and accummulate the required hours at the Confucius Institute in UP Diliman. For other Confucius Institutes, please consult with your Program Adviser.
Please do not enroll in any of these courses without the approval of your program adviser and the Office of the College Secretary.
03 Certificate of Proficiency
If they have it, students can present a certificate of language proficiency from accredited organizations, but approval/acceptance thereof is subject to certain conditions, such as expiry date and when the certificate/classes were taken or secured, among others.
For Japan majors, N5 or better (JLPT). For Korea majors, TOPIK 1 (Beginner), Level 2. For other languages, please coordinate with the Office of the College Secretary to consult your situation.
NOTE: Please do not take any proficiency exam without approval from your program adviser and from the Office of the College Secretary.
04 Other Options
Other scenarios are taken on a case-to-case basis. For instance, if you have taken language courses before entering the program, please consult your Program Adviser, explain the details (when they were taken, how long, how many hours, what level), and ask if and to what extent such courses can be credited, if at all, or if there are other steps/options to be taken.
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Comprehensive Examinations
Upon completion of their coursework and language proficiency requirement, Asian Studies majors shall take a comprehensive examination, which covers
• General Asian history
• Theories, perspectives, and research methods
• Area/country of specialization
For students in the nonthesis track, passing this exam is the last major step to qualifying for graduation.
For those on the thesis track, passing the comprehensive exam is required before they can enroll in Asian Studies (AS) 300 (thesis). Visit the "Examinations" tab in the Student Corner to learn requirements, protocols, etc.
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Thesis
For those on the thesis track, passing the comprehensive exam is required before they can enroll in Asian Studies (AS) 300 (thesis). View sample theses.
According to the General Rules on Graduate Programs in UP Diliman,
The master’s thesis must (1) embody an original, and significant research or creative work; (2) show the student’s capacity to make a critical evaluation of previous work done in his/her chosen research topic; and (3) demonstrate his/her ability to present research findings in a clear, systematic, and scholarly manner.
To learn about requirements, protocols, relevant forms, etc., please view the Thesis tab of the Student Corner.
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Semestral Fees for MA Programs
Tuition Fee
PhP 500 per unit*
(PhP 1,500 per course
excluding any language course)
Library Fee
PhP 1200
Athletics
PhP 75
Registration
PhP 40
Medical
PhP 50
Cultural
PhP 50
Student Fund
PhP 50
Semestral Fees for MA Programs: International Students
Tuition Fee
PhP 500 per unit
(PhP 1,500 per course)
Miscellaneous Fee
PhP 1,415
Laboratory Fees
PhP 100–1,500
(may not apply to UP Asian Center)
Educational Development Fund
USD 500 (per semester)
Student Fund
PhP 78.5
Please visit the Office of International Linkages website for the average cost of students' living expenses (dormitory, food, transportation, etc).
Scholarships
For details, please view the page for Tuition and Financing @ UP Asian Center.
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FAQs: Admissions
Please visit the Admissons page for a separate FAQ section.
FAQs: Courses and Programs
Is there a minimum number of units that I need to take per semester?
All students, except those in residency, must take at least 6 units (two nonthesis courses) per semester.
Are there Saturday classes?
Not all classes will be offered on Saturdays, so there may be cases where working students have to leave early to attend classes on weekdays.
Student Corner
Please also visit the Student Corner to view detailed academic requirements of student life.
-
Asia Across the Disciplines: Interdisciplinary Training
Overview
The Asian Studies program covers the following requirements: VIEW IMAGE CHART.
-
-
-
- Coursework (includes core courses, electives)
- Language competency requirement
- Comprehensive Exams
- Thesis (if applicable)
-
-
Inter- and Multi-disciplinary Approach to Asia
Asian Studies majors take courses on politics and governance, social and economic development, and culture and society of their chosen area of specialization: Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, or West Asia.
Grounded also in theories of area studies and research methods, they also learn from professors who specialize in various disciplines—from history and political economy to international relations, anthropology, literary criticism, just to name a few— and thus acquire a broader and more holistic perspective on their area of specialization.
In addition, students get to interact with their peers/classmates who themselves work/come from different industries.
Interdisciplinarity is highly encouraged in the program; though students specialize in a region, they are invited to take electives on other Asian regions, or other subjects, even those outside the UP Asian Center, depending on their research interests.
-
-
Thesis or Nonthesis?
The Asian Center offers two tracks for its MA programs in Asian Studies:
• Master of Arts in Asian Studies (Thesis track)
• Master in Asian Studies (Non-thesis)
The non-thesis track entails additional coursework.
Please note that some PhD programs abroad, if not in the Philippines, require an M.A. thesis as part of the application process.
-
Areas of Specialization
Regardless of track, students must specialize on one of four regions.
• Northeast Asia
• Southeast Asia
• South Asia
• West Asia
Northeast Asia majors will specialize on China, Japan OR Korea. The other regions do not entail a country of specialization. Please view the list of courses for each area of specialization in the "Coursework" tab on the left.
-
Interdisciplinary Coursework, Integrative Approach
Asian Studies majors are exposed to the different facets of their area of specialization. By taking a broad range of courses—from politics and economics to culture and history—students are encouraged to think holistically and approach issues and problems from different angles.
View list of Asian Studies courses.
Program of Study: List of Required Courses
The program of study lists down the required courses according to track and area of specialization.
Master of Arts in Asian Studies (Thesis) Master in Asian Studies (Nonthesis) Northeast Asia Northeast Asia Southeast Asia Southeast Asia South Asia South Asia West Asia West Asia
Class Schedules
Weekdays (Once a Week Per Course)
-
-
- 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
-
Saturdays
-
-
- 8:30 am–11:30 am (9 am–12 noon in some cases)
- 12:30 pm–3:30 pm (1 pm–4 pm in some cases)
- 3:30 pm–6:30 pm (4 pm–7 pm in some cases)
-
Schedules depend on the teacher and the semester.
-
-
Language Proficiency
Competency in an Asian language IS NOT required for application to the program.
Once enrolled, Asian Studies majors are required to demonstrate such competency in one (1) language pertaining to their area of specialization.
Northeast Asia Mandarin, Nihonggo, or Korean Southeast Asia Bahasa, Thai, Khmer, Vietnamese, Burmese, Khmer; for others, consult adviser South Asia Hindi; for others, consult adviser West Asia Arabic or Persian; for others, consult adviser
Options to Comply with Language Requirement
00 Which languages can I take, and where can I take classes?
Language Proficiency: MA
The language must be relevant to the student's thesis and/or area of specialization. Please discuss with your Program Adviser. The institution must be reputable/recognized. Please Tabs 01, 02, 03 for options.
Philippine Studies Any Filipino language other than Tagalog OR
any foreign language relevant to thesis/specializationNortheast Asia Mandarin, Nihonggo, or Korean Southeast Asia Bahasa, Thai, Khmer, Vietnamese, Burmese South Asia Hindi; for others, consult adviser West Asia Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, Turkish; for others, consult adviser 01 The Twelve-Unit Route (in UP Diliman)
Students can pass twelve (12) units of language courses offered by and through the UP Asian Center or by other UP Diliman units, such as the Department of Linguistics or the Institute of Islamic Studies
Arabic 10, 11, 12, 13 (amounting to 12 units) are taught at the Institute of Islamic Studies, University of the Philippines Diliman. Please do not enroll in any of these courses without the approval of your program adviser and the Office of the College Secretary.
LANGUAGE WHERE in UP DILIMAN COURSE NAME in CRS Mandarin Department of Linguistics "Intsik" Mandarin Confucius Institute N/A Japanese Department of Linguistics "Hapon" Korean Department of Linguistics "Koreyano" Thai Department of Linguistics "Thai" Bahasa Department of Linguistics " B Ind/Mal" Persyan Department of Linguistics "Persyan" Arabic Institute of Islamic Studies "Isl Stud" Spanish Department of European Languages "Span" 02 The 192- or 96-Hour Requirement
Students can complete the required number of hours of language classes (192 hours for Asian Studies majors and 96 hours for Philippine Studies majors) offered by an accredited institution outside UP Diliman.
The extramural classes of the Department of Linguistics are included in this category.
China majors can take up classes and accummulate the required hours at the Confucius Institute in UP Diliman. For other Confucius Institutes, please consult with your Program Adviser.
Please do not enroll in any of these courses without the approval of your program adviser and the Office of the College Secretary.
03 Certificate of Proficiency
If they have it, students can present a certificate of language proficiency from accredited organizations, but approval/acceptance thereof is subject to certain conditions, such as expiry date and when the certificate/classes were taken or secured, among others.
For Japan majors, N5 or better (JLPT). For Korea majors, TOPIK 1 (Beginner), Level 2. For other languages, please coordinate with the Office of the College Secretary to consult your situation.
NOTE: Please do not take any proficiency exam without approval from your program adviser and from the Office of the College Secretary.
04 Other Options
Other scenarios are taken on a case-to-case basis. For instance, if you have taken language courses before entering the program, please consult your Program Adviser, explain the details (when they were taken, how long, how many hours, what level), and ask if and to what extent such courses can be credited, if at all, or if there are other steps/options to be taken.
-
Comprehensive Examinations
Upon completion of their coursework and language proficiency requirement, Asian Studies majors shall take a comprehensive examination, which covers
• General Asian history
• Theories, perspectives, and research methods
• Area/country of specialization
For students in the nonthesis track, passing this exam is the last major step to qualifying for graduation.
For those on the thesis track, passing the comprehensive exam is required before they can enroll in Asian Studies (AS) 300 (thesis). Visit the "Examinations" tab in the Student Corner to learn requirements, protocols, etc.
-
Thesis
For those on the thesis track, passing the comprehensive exam is required before they can enroll in Asian Studies (AS) 300 (thesis). View sample theses.
According to the General Rules on Graduate Programs in UP Diliman,
The master’s thesis must (1) embody an original, and significant research or creative work; (2) show the student’s capacity to make a critical evaluation of previous work done in his/her chosen research topic; and (3) demonstrate his/her ability to present research findings in a clear, systematic, and scholarly manner.
To learn about requirements, protocols, relevant forms, etc., please view the Thesis tab of the Student Corner.
-
Semestral Fees for MA Programs
Tuition Fee PhP 500 per unit*
(PhP 1,500 per course
excluding any language course)Library Fee PhP 1200 Athletics PhP 75 Registration PhP 40 Medical PhP 50 Cultural PhP 50 Student Fund PhP 50
Semestral Fees for MA Programs: International Students
Tuition Fee PhP 500 per unit
(PhP 1,500 per course)Miscellaneous Fee PhP 1,415 Laboratory Fees PhP 100–1,500
(may not apply to UP Asian Center)Educational Development Fund USD 500 (per semester) Student Fund PhP 78.5
Please visit the Office of International Linkages website for the average cost of students' living expenses (dormitory, food, transportation, etc).
Scholarships
For details, please view the page for Tuition and Financing @ UP Asian Center.
-
FAQs: Admissions
Please visit the Admissons page for a separate FAQ section.
FAQs: Courses and Programs
Is there a minimum number of units that I need to take per semester?
All students, except those in residency, must take at least 6 units (two nonthesis courses) per semester.
Are there Saturday classes?
Not all classes will be offered on Saturdays, so there may be cases where working students have to leave early to attend classes on weekdays.
Student Corner
Please also visit the Student Corner to view detailed academic requirements of student life.
VIEW ADMISSIONS GUIDE • CONSULT THE STUDENT CORNER
