Course Structure

Not only does the Department of East Asian Studies at Leeds offer a range of Single and Joint Honours programmes relating to Asia that is probably unparalled in the UK, but within our programmes we usually offer a considerable range of options, enabling you to focus on areas of particular interest to you. This is how our undergraduate programmes are generally structured:

• You will normally take 120 credits worth of modules each year. One credit represents approximately 10 hours of class and private study time over the course of the module. Most modules are worth 10 or 20 credits.
• Our programmes are structured around core modules, i.e. those modules covering knowledge we feel you must have mastered to graduate with a degree in that subject area. In language programmes this will normally be the core language modules. In non-language programmes, the core modules cover those areas of study that we believe are central to an informed understanding of the region and disciplines being studied. You will often have to pass these core modules in order to proceed to the next level, or to graduate with Honours. There are usually up to 40 credits worth of core modules in each year.
• You will also choose between a range of optional modules related to the language or region you are studying. How many of these you will do depends upon the level of study and the individual programme, but it will vary from 20 to 60 credits worth of modules. These modules enable you to focus on the areas which particularly interest you, and may include both language and studies modules, or modules that combine the two. Joint Honours students generally have a more restricted range of options owing to the need to accommodate the other half of their programme.
• Students may then choose elective modules, which may be taken either within the Department of East Asian Studies, or in another department. Again the number of elective modules you can take depends upon your level of study and programme. In some cases you may be able to choose up to 40 credits of electives in a given year, but if you are on a Joint Honours programme you might not be able to take any electives in the upper levels because your credits are used up on core and optional modules.
• The academic year at Leeds is divided into two 11-week semesters. Semester 1 teaching begins at the end of September and ends in mid December. Semester 2 runs from the end of January until early May, with a four-week non-teaching period around Easter.
• The Year Abroad in all language programmes is taken at the end of Level 1. See the Study Abroad page for details.

Learning and Teaching

You will study your area of interest through a combination of taught classes and guided self-study and research. For each module we choose the teaching methods that will most effectively give you the knowledge and skills that a graduate who has studied that area will need. This may include:

• lectures which present core information and approaches to the topic;
• seminars: smaller group classes emphasising discussion based on readings, audio-visual or other material, student presentations and so on;
• for language modules, interactive drill and language laboratory classes.

Fundamental to a university education is a strong emphasis on developing independent research and learning skills. Your lecturers will provide you with a solid grounding in the subjects you have chosen to study, but it is through reading in preparation for classes, writing essays, preparing presentations and other projects, and wider reading generally that students learn the most and prepare themselves for life after graduation. We also strongly encourage language students to make use of the University's excellent language-learning facilities and the presence of many students from Asian countries to expand their language skills beyond those taught in class.

Assessment

Assessment in the modules offered by the Department of East Asian Studies generally follows tried and tested models:

• Language modules are usually tested at intervals during the year, with the main written, oral and aural assessments coming at the end of the module.
• Studies modules are most commonly assessed by end-of-module written examinations, or by a combination of examination and essay. Some upper-level studies modules are examined by essay or other coursework only, and all Single Honours students must write a dissertation in their final year. Some language and studies modules are partly assessed by a presentation as well.
• Semester 1 modules are examined in mid January, while Semester 2 and year-long modules are examined from about mid May to early June. Essays submitted for assessment are usually due at around the end of the teaching part of the semester, though this can vary.
• Provisional results for Semester 1 modules are usually available by mid February, and your final results for the year are available in early July.
• All assessed work is moderated by a second internal marker, and upper level assessed work is moderated by an external examiner as well.
• Students will have the opportunity to receive feedback on all assessed work as soon as is practical after it has been marked.