Master Program for Chinese Religious Studies in English
Ⅰ.Overview
In recent decades, discussion in public sphere and academic research about Chinese religions is becoming a cross-cultural phenomenon, in the tide of globalization and revitalization of faith. For the purpose of training experts in the future and promising young scholars in the field of Chinese religions, the School of Philosophy Fudan University resolves to launch a master program for Chinese religious studies in English, starting in fall semester 2015, which is open for global application.
The School of Philosophy Fudan University has long-term corporation and friendship with all religious communities in Shanghai as well as in Mainland China. This program plans to organize regular visits for all students, and provides field research possibilities, so that students are able to have direct encounter with living Chinese religions, besides understanding the theory and classical texts.
Ⅱ.Years of study
M.A. Program: This is a two-year degree program.
Visiting Student Program: This is a one-year non-degree program.
Audit Program: This program is based upon individual courses.
Ⅲ.Curriculum for Master’s Degree Program
All courses are delivered in English
Courses of Chinese language: 4 credits;
Courses of Chinese Panorama: 4 credits
Major courses: 23 credits (at least 8-9 courses, including 5 required and 3-4 elective).
Other requirements (including field research, Mid-term Exam, etc.): 3 credits;
Thesis (at least 20,000 words and up with a 3,000 to 5,000 Chinese character summery).
Ⅳ.Requirements of granting degree:
1. Get the prescribed credit (normally within two years);
2. Write an academic thesis under the supervision of a professor, and pass the oral defense.
Ⅴ.Courses
The courses are divided in to three levels, namely basic, intermediate and advanced, so that student can choose different ones according to his/her own pre-knowledge in the area(see the diagram below, incomplete, for your reference only).
Buddhism | Christianity | Confucianism, Taoism and popular religion | Islam | Methodology | |
Basic | Introduction of Chinese Buddhism | Introduction of Chinese Christianity | Introduction of Chinese traditional religion | Introduction of Chinese Islam | |
Intermediate | Selected reading of Buddhist Sutras | Topics of Chinese Christianity | Selected reading of Taoist and popular religious texts | Topics of Chinese Islam (I) | Introduction of sociology of religion; Introduction of anthropology of religion; Text-criticism and hermeneutics |
Advanced | Topics of Chinese Buddhism | Sino-Christian theology; Chinese Translation of Bible | Intensive reading of Chinese traditional religious texts | Topics of Chinese Islam (II) | Topics of sociology of religion; Topics of anthropology of religion |
Application and Admission
Number of global enrollment (fall semester, 2022): 15 students.
Basic requirement: Applicants must have an acknowledged bachelor degree.
Application documents:
[Please visit the official website of International Students Office of Fudan University: http://iso.fudan.edu.cn/, https://istudent.fudan.edu.cn/apply ]
1. Copy of passport (required by international student office)
2. Application form (required by international student office)
3. CV
4. Copy of diploma
5. Notarized copy of academic records
6. Two letters of recommendation (sealed with signature)
7. Personal statement
8. Research project (10-12 pages, double space, 12#)
9. Non-native speakers of English must provide an English level certificate (TOEFL, GRE, IELTS)
10.Application fee: 800 RMB for M.A. Program and 400 RMB Visiting Student Program (non-refundable!)
Deadline:
The priority deadline is February 06 of the same year as that of enrollment (Follow the requirements by ISO of Fudan). Applicants who wish to apply for scholarships through Fudan University shall pay attention for this. Applicants who do not apply for scholarships or apply scholarships directly through CSC, the deadline could be extended to May 31.
Tuition and Scholarship:
The tuition fee is 50,000 RMB/year.
If student is not able to obtain the credits or pass the thesis-defense within two years, he/she CAN postpone graduation.
Terms:
Frist term : September–January
Second term : February– July
Contact Information:
For more information about these programs, please write to BOTH Mr. YU, Mingzhi (yumingzhi@fudan.edu.cn) AND Prof. Zhejun YU (yuzhejun@fudan.edu.cn)
Phone number: 86 21 6564 8470
Room 2313, Guanghua Tower (west) 23rd Floor, School of Philosophy, Fudan University