Pacific and Asian Studies (MA)
Define your program of study by choosing to concentrate on a Regional Studies or Literary and Textual Studies stream. Both streams emphasize the contemporary period and take an interdisciplinary approach to learning and research.
In the Regional Studies Stream, you’ll learn about the mechanisms and values that transform cultures. You can study globalization and modernization in relation to local practices. Explore global and local relations. Experts in the field will guide you as you study the culture, society, politics, economics or history of a region or area in the Asia Pacific.
In the Literary and Textual Studies Stream, you’ll explore how stories shape the world. Investigate how narratives are critical in preserving, challenging and changing society and tradition. You can draw your topics from literature, theatre, cinema and other cultural forms, language, religion, history or philosophy.
| Expected length | Project or thesis | Course-based |
|---|---|---|
| 2 years | Yes | No |
Quick facts
- Program options:
- Master's
- Study options:
- Full-time study
- Program delivery:
- On-campus, Other: Field work (including overseas)
- Dynamic learning:
- Co-op optional
Outcomes
Students in this program will:
- develop a reflexive understanding of the general principles of critical enquiry, including theories, methods, concepts and critiques that inform research in Pacific and Asian studies
- enhance competence in the collection and analysis of primary and secondary sources in support of original research
- acquire skills and experience in the collegial and professional pursuit of scholarly research, including the written and oral presentation of original findings
- cultivate an awareness of research ethics and how to assess the implications and potential consequences of one’s research
Find a supervisor
All graduate students in this program must have a faculty member who serves as their academic supervisor. When you apply:
- you must list a potential supervisor on your application
- this faculty member must agree to be your supervisor and recommend your admission
To find a supervisor, review the faculty contacts. When you've found a faculty member whose research complements your own, contact them by email.
Andrew Marton
Professor; Acting Chair till July 1, 2024 Urbanization & regional development in China & Asia; Contemporary Chinese society; Culture and creativity in China; Chinese Education
Angie Chau
Assistant Professor; Ungraduate Advisor Modern and contemporary Chinese-language literature, film, pop culture, visual culture, translation
Ann-Elise Lewallen
Associate Professor; Graduate Program Advisor Transcultural Japan/Asia; Critical Indigenous Studies; Environmental Justice; Gender Studies
Ben Pin-Yun Wang
Assistant Teaching Professor; Chinese Language Coordinator (on Leave till April 30, 2024) Teaching Chinese as an additional language; Chinese linguistics
Jun Tian
Associate Teaching Professor Second language acquisition; Classroom-based research; Second language writing; Teaching English as a second language; Teaching Chinese as a second language; Chinese linguistics
Mamoru Hatakeyama
Assistant Teaching Professor; Japanese Language Coordinator (on leave till April 30,2024) Japanese Language
Martin Adam
Associate Professor Buddhist Philosophy; Indian Religions; Philosophy of Religion; Mysticism; Meditation Theory; Buddhist Ethics; Gandhi; Engaged Buddhism and Civil Disobedience
Mika Kimura
Associate Teaching Professor; Japanese Language Coordinator Teaching Japanese as a second language; second language acquisition; Computer-assisted language learning
Richard Fox
Professor & Chair (on Leave till July 1,2024) Asian cultural, media and film studies; Religion and public culture in Indonesia; Classical and contemporary theories of culture and society; Critical issues in language, text and translation; Hindu and Buddhist traditions of South and Southeast Asia; Islam and popular culture in Southeast Asia; Religion, gender and power.
Sujin Lee
Assistant Professor Modern Japanese history; Japanese imperialism and colonialism; gender and sexuality in East Asia; history of science, technology, and medicine.
Tim Iles
Associate Professor Cinema: Asian and Japanese, live-action and animated; Japanese literature, modern and pre-modern; Humanism and Identity Issues in Japan; Japanese religions and philosophy; Technology and its implications; science fiction cinema; Horror as a response to social and urban change; Popular culture: traditional, modern, postmodern
Show me program details
Providing you accurate admission requirements, application deadlines, tuition fee estimates and scholarships depends on your situation. Tell us about yourself:
Your program details
Application deadlines
September entry – apply by January 15
Note: Applications received by May 15 may not be eligible for funding.
September entry – apply by January 15
Note: Applications received by May 15 may not be eligible for funding.
Admission requirements
Program specific requirements
Please include the following with your application:
- a one-page letter of intent outlining:
- your background and reasons for wanting to pursue a graduate degree in our program
- your proposed areas of study and as much detail as possible about your particular research interests
- an assessment of your language abilities (both English and Asian-language ability)
- possible supervisor(s) and proposed study stream
- consideration for department teaching and research assistantships
- consideration for department fellowships and scholarships
- transcripts from the post-secondary institutions where you’ve studied
- names and email addresses of two references
- a copy of your written work, up to a maximum of 10 pages (e.g., a third or fourth-year university paper)
Program specific requirements
Please include the following with your application:
- a one-page letter of intent outlining:
- your background and reasons for wanting to pursue a graduate degree in our program
- your proposed areas of study and as much detail as possible about your particular research interests
- an assessment of your language abilities (both English and Asian-language ability)
- possible supervisor(s) and proposed study stream
- consideration for department teaching and research assistantships
- consideration for department fellowships and scholarships
- transcripts from the post-secondary institutions where you’ve studied
- names and email addresses of two references
- a copy of your written work, up to a maximum of 10 pages (e.g., a third or fourth-year university paper)
Completion requirements
Funding & aid
Tuition & fees
Estimated minimum program cost*
* Based on an average program length. For a per term fee breakdown view the tuition fee estimator.
Estimated values determined by the tuition fee estimator shall not be binding to the University of Victoria.
Ready to apply?
You can start your online application to UVic by creating a new profile or using an existing one.
Faculties & departments
Need help?
Contact Helena Watling at paciasia@uvic.ca or 250-721-7477.