Course summary

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2024). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas. The MPhil in Global and Area Studies draws on the multidisciplinary and area expertise of the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies' (OSGA) seven regional centres, to deliver an innovative Comparative Area Studies programme, which addresses contemporary global challenges through developing innovative multidisciplinary approaches. The overall objectives of the MPhil are to: provide you with a multi-/interdisciplinary and comparative understanding of different regions of the world; allow you to work on key thematic global challenges from a comparative area studies perspective; equip you with the conceptual and theoretical expertise to interrogate the notions of ‘area’, ‘comparative area’ and the implications for disciplinary enquiry; embed inter-cultural understanding and global citizenship in the study of area; develop research methods and skills that are appropriate for the comparative study of areas and regions including through the development of new digital approaches for area studies; and promote a wider international network of area studies scholars and practitioners. Course structure The course is structured around six study components, facilitating an interdisciplinary approach to comparative study across two or more regions and a critical approach to area studies. Courses are taught through a combination of lectures and classes. You will be required to submit essays and make class presentations. Through a Research Methods element, you will receive relevant training in methodologies to enable you to carry out research and writing for your 30,000 word thesis. The thesis is expected to incorporate a global, transnational or comparative area studies approach and/or to address key cross-region global challenges from an area studies perspective.