Thoughts on UM's Masters in Asian Studies: China

[kdavid]

Details for the program can be found here.

 

I'll be applying to MA and PhD programs this upcoming cycle. At present, I'm trying to find MA programs which would be good back-ups in case no one accepts me for the PhD.

 

So far, I've found UM's MA and UoC's MAPSS.

 

UM's is clearly focused on China, which is a plus. Does anyone have any experience with this program? If so, could you please share?

 

Lastly, any suggestions on other MA programs similar to the aforementioned two?

 

(I'm focusing on 20th century intellectual Chinese history, specifically the Republican period, 1912-49.)

 

Thanks!

[LeatherElbows]

You may want to take a look at University of Washington's China Studies MA. Also, I don't know if they have a dedicated MA program, but British Columbia is probably also worth a check for China Studies.

[getitlow]

Yale has a great MA program in Chinese studies if that is your regional focus. I know U Washington has an excellent MA program in history (with possible regional focus on China). I'm just not sure you are considering Asian studies or History for your MA, or you are flexible about this.

[kdavid]

I'm set on history, but I'm trying to consider good MA programs I could apply (as back-ups) to while also applying to PhD programs.

 

This way, if I don't end up getting into any PhD program, I could do the MA and then apply to PhDs later. (I'm just really self-conscious about not getting accepted at all. I want to have options just in case.)

 

Would an MA in regional studies (i.e. Chinese/China studies) hurt me in this regard?

[bryan.jenkins]

I'm finishing up my MA at UT-Austin now, focusing on 20th century China as well and would recommend looking into our program. Like most public universities we only have one modern China historian, Huaiyin Li, but he is excellent. Working with him has definitely had a tremendously positive influence on how I understand China, history, and research. I know from experience that he won't let you focus solely on intellectual history, but will make you tie your project into institutional, urban rural, whatever history as well, which in my opinion is a very good thing. He does however have a recent book on the evolution of CCP historiography to go with his detailed microhistories and a forthcoming book on late Qing statecraft. Generally speaking, he's a very well rounded and well respected intellectual in China and the US. China faculty in other areas (government, IR, and so-an) are pretty much nonexistent, which is the major downside to the program, but the rest of the Asia faculty are very global-oriented and very accessible. Plus, the history program in general is pretty highly regarded. Plus Austin is a pretty excellent place to live.

Worth checking out in any case. Good luck with your apps!

Edited March 31, 2013 by bryan.jenkins

[getitlow]

I'm finishing up my MA at UT-Austin now, focusing on 20th century China as well and would recommend looking into our program. Like most public universities we only have one modern China historian, Huaiyin Li, but he is excellent. Working with him has definitely had a tremendously positive influence on how I understand China, history, and research. I know from experience that he won't let you focus solely on intellectual history, but will make you tie your project into institutional, urban rural, whatever history as well, which in my opinion is a very good thing. He does however have a recent book on the evolution of CCP historiography to go with his detailed microhistories and a forthcoming book on late Qing statecraft. Generally speaking, he's a very well rounded and well respected intellectual in China and the US. China faculty in other areas (government, IR, and so-an) are pretty much nonexistent, which is the major downside to the program, but the rest of the Asia faculty are very global-oriented and very accessible. Plus, the history program in general is pretty highly regarded. Plus Austin is a pretty excellent place to live.

Worth checking out in any case. Good luck with your apps!

It is great to hear you work with Huaiyin Li. I did a research on land redistribution last semester under the Mao's regime and Deng Xiaoping's new era, and I read a micro-study of a village by him as reference, which is a great work on this particular topic, especially if you are interested in looking at rural China. However, I believe UT Austin does not offer a terminal MA. Were you admitted to the PhD-track program?

[bryan.jenkins]

It is great to hear you work with Huaiyin Li. I did a research on land redistribution last semester under the Mao's regime and Deng Xiaoping's new era, and I read a micro-study of a village by him as reference, which is a great work on this particular topic, especially if you are interested in looking at rural China. However, I believe UT Austin does not offer a terminal MA. Were you admitted to the PhD-track program?

Yea, Li is really is great. And you're right: UT does not have a terminal MA in history. However, there is a terminal MA in 'Asian Studies' that pretty much gives you free reign to focus on what you want. If you decide to stay, it's also very possible then move into the history or ACL PhD. You can find it on the Asian Studies website. There are a few students, myself included, who are using it as a stepping stone toward PhD programs in history. In my case I entered the program because I felt I needed a few more years of Chinese under my belt, but it ended up being very helpful--especially working with Prof. Li--in refining my interests and convincing me that I did really want to pursue history and not EALC somewhere.

Professors here generally say that the ANS MA to History PhD path is just as valid as an history MA, so long as you tailor your coursework to resemble a history program. The other nice part about the program is the price point. While, like most schools, it's not possible to get full tuition or a stipend for humanities MAs here, most US students are awarded a $1000 grant and in-state tuition which works out to about 5500/ year plus living expenses. Then if you play your cards right, it's possible to get a TAship for a semester during your second year.

Edited April 1, 2013 by bryan.jenkins