Asian Area Studies

Study programme Asian Area Studies offers systematic training of specialists on selected Asian countries important for the Czech Republic. The scope of the study programme includes Korea, Mongolia, Vietnam and partially also other countries of Central and Southeast Asia. The study aims at active mastering of at least one language: Korean, Vietnamese or Mongolian (at B1 level of CEFR) and an ability to analyse historical, cultural, geographical, economic and political contexts intended for language services and expert consultations. The basic courses have a focus on development and on comparison of conditions in selected Asian countries. Interdisciplinary knowledge supports wide-ranging opportunities of employment of graduates without too narrow focus on only one language or culture.

The programme is based on philology from 50 percent, and another 50 percent include further focuses on history, traditional culture, literature, economic and social issues as well as life of Asian communities in the Czech Republic. The programme builds upon intensive research cooperation with specialists abroad. A special importance is in practical experience of a regular fieldwork in Asia. The cooperation in Korea, Mongolia, Vietnam and other Asian countries is realized at partner universities and research institutes. Besides contribution of foreign visiting scholars the programme will organize conferences with a focus on actual conditions of everyday life in Asia. Graduates are well equipped for practice by presented data from fieldwork or by own optional study stay abroad together with corresponding linguistic competence (of a selected language). Particular knowledge acquired during the study is contextualized in direct contacts with Asian communities in the Czech Republic. Wider comparisons with other Central and Southeast Asian countries support flexibility for job opportunities and will give an advantage to future specialists, interpreters, publicists and scholars.

After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• prove language proficiency of selected Asian language on B1 level of CEFR in spoken and at least passively in written communication
• explain context of historical development in more Asian countries significant for Czech foreign relations and with impacts on Asian communities in the Czech Republic
• identify rules of social relations and imperatives, norms, festivals, and apply this knowledge of an Asian etiquette in practical and intercultural communication
• explain the facts, data and phenomena from the culture, history, geography, economy and society of a selected Asian country, and to compare them with data from related countries in the region
• by particular examples identify and interpret high-risk environmental factors of development of a particular country in regional relations

Graduate of bachelor study programme Asian Area Studies is prepared for work of an expert on particular Asian countries with significant relations to the Czech Republic and EU. Thanks to a wider philological basis and factographic knowledge, graduates will find jobs in foreign trade, tourism and travel services or in governmental/public institutions and intercultural centres. As a lector he/she can work as specialist editors in publishing houses and journalism, as museum curators or employees of cultural institutions. Thanks to the additional focus to the analysis of political environment, geographical and economic data as well as social or environmental problems, the graduate can find favourable positions in Alien Police or agencies and NGOs focused on help to foreigners and ethnic minorities.

Practice of length at least 250 hours will take place at possible future employers including academic institutions, NGOs, government offices and private companies. A part of partners has been already arranged, but a student can find his own practice upon arrangement. The practice is compulsory for students of single major programme and students of maior study programme. Evaluation will be provided upon a confirmation and a questionnaire filled in by the employer.

A bachelor's thesis has a standard length of 72000 to 90000 characters including all parts of the document. The thesis proves an ability to collect, classify and critically analyse data concerning selected philological or non-philological issues (i.e. history, culture and cultural identity, geography, economics, literature, environmental and developmental problems). The theses can be exceptionally based on questionnaire and data collected through a fieldwork. In three consequent semester phases, the thesis includes: 1) elaboration of project of the thesis on the selected topic, 2) a discussion (of selected parts) of the project and an individual elaboration of the whole thesis including formulation of conclusion or final assessment, 3) consultation of possible suggestions, corrections, final adjustment and submission.

Graduate of the study programme can continue in the follow-up master's programme and later a doctoral degree study of related philological and non-philological programmes at more faculties of Masaryk University. A follow-up master programme of Asian Area Studies will be introduced gradually.