# Asian and African Literatures (with Asian/African language tuition)

**Source**: https://english.spbu.ru/admission/programms/graduate/asian-and-african-literatures-asianafrican-language-tuition
**Parent**: https://english.spbu.ru/admission/programms/graduate

58.04.01 
*In Russian*

Level of education Master

Type of instruction Full-time

Duration 2 years

Programme description

The master's programme ‘Asian and African Literatures (with Asian/African Language Tuition)’ is aimed at developing in students a holistic understanding of the literary, cultural, civilisational and other features of Asian/African countries and peoples. Students also study theoretical and applied issues in their literary development including certain areas. They develop the nomenclature of a literary critic. Additionally, they study in depth one or more Asian/African languages.

Main courses

- Logic and Methodology of Research
- History and Theory of Aesthetics
- Introduction to the General Theory of Translation (Asian and African Languages)
- Concepts of Modern Asian and African Studies
- Internship. Research Work
- Oriental Poetics and Aesthetics / Literature and Theatre
- Historical and Linguistic Commentary on Old Literature / Rhetoric
- Concepts of Contemporary Literary Studies
- Culture of Society and Semantics of Text / Postmodern Asian and African Literatures
- Semiotics and Communication Theory
- Methodology of Literary Studies
- The language block of Asian/African languages

##### Elective courses

- Ancient Sources on the Ancient East / History of Classical Ethiopian Literature / The Book in the Far East / Indigenous Peoples of Cambodia: Cultures and Languages / Mongolian Texts of the Yuan Period / Song Lore of Northern India / Religious Beliefs and Rituals as Reflected in Ancient Oriental Epics / Holy Men and Evil Spirits in Folk Religions of China and the Adjacent Countries / The Novel in Asian and African Literatures / Modern Nepalese Poetry / Contemporary Trends in Arabic Literature / Comparative Study of the Bantu Languages / Traditional Beliefs in West Africa: Language and Religion
- Quantitative Characteristics of Different Text Genres / World Literary Process and Literatures of Asia and Africa

Our advantages

- The programme trains specialists with the requisite professional skills, including cultural and linguistic ones. Graduates are ready to carry out research, academic, educational, expert, analytical, translation, interpreting, practical and organisational activities in the field of the literary studies of Asian/African countries and peoples
- Years of experience in teaching oriental languages are combined with the latest teaching methods and technology
- Students have access to: unique electronic resources in Russian, Oriental and Western languages; and the branch of the M Gorky Scientific Library. Its collection includes: more than 300,000 volumes of scientific, educational, fiction and periodical literature in all target languages; a collection of ancient manuscripts and xylographica; and rare and unique books and lithographs

Teaching staff

- Alexander Zheltov, Doctor of Philology, Professor in the Department of African Studies; expert in African linguistics, linguistic typology, noun classes in Niger-Congo languages, role typology, and kinship terminology systems; author of over 120 scholarly publications
- Mikhail Suvorov, Doctor of Philology, Associate Professor, Professor in the Department of Arabic Philology; expert in Arabic literature and folklore, and the traditional culture of South Arabia

Main areas of research

- Asian and African literatures
- The sphere of interaction with Asian/African countries and peoples
- Russian, regional and international organisations interacting with Asian/African countries and peoples

Career opportunities

##### Professions

- Teacher of additional education for children and adults
- Teacher of professional training, vocational education, and lifelong professional education and training
- Expert in education
- Museum curator
- Guide
- Specialist in organisational and document support for corporate management
- Media correspondent
- Media editor
- Translator/interpreter

[This webpage may contain outdated information. The programme descriptions and admission requirements for the 2026/2027 academic year are currently being updated. For the latest information on 2026/2027 admission, please visit the Admissions Office website.](https://abiturient.spbu.ru/en/)

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