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

**Source**: https://english.spbu.ru/admission/programms/graduate/asian-and-african-cultures-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 Cultures (with Asian/African Language Tuition)’ is aimed at developing in students a holistic understanding of: the socio-historical experience of various civilisations; and types of value orientations and ideals. Students also acquire methods and techniques of studying culture; and comprehend the cultural characteristics of Asian/African countries and peoples. They also study in depth one or more Asian/African languages.

Main courses

- Asian and African Arts
- Concepts of Modern Asian and African Studies
- Semiotics and Communication Theory
- The language block of Asian/African languages
- History and Theory of Art

Elective courses:

- Introduction to the General Theory of Translation (Asian and African Languages)
- Concepts of Modern Cultural Studies
- Introduction to Theatre Studies / Cultural Categories of the Ancient Orient
- Introduction to Film Studies / Literature and Theatre / Cultural Heritage Issues in Contemporary China
- Academic Hebrew / Modern Religious Movements of India / Cultural Connections Between Central Asia and India in the Middle Ages / Chinese and Vietnamese Mythology / Modernistic Hindi Literature: Analysis of Literary Text / Medieval Persian Poetics / Holy Men and Evil Spirits in Folk Religions of China and the Adjacent Countries / Modern Hausa-language Media: Religious and Cultural Perspective / Religious Movements in Medieval India
- Cultural Anthropology / Religious and Philosophical Doctrines of the Middle East in the Middle Ages and Modern History
- Fundamentals of Music Studies / Cultural Anthropology

Our advantages

- The master’s programme ‘Asian and Africa Cultures (with Asian/African language tuition)’ is aimed at developing in students a holistic understanding of: the socio-historical experience of various civilisations; and types of value orientations and ideals. Students also acquire methods and techniques of studying culture; and comprehend the cultural characteristics of African-Asian countries and peoples. They also study in depth one or more Asian/African languages
- The programme is designed to develop in students a scientific horizon that makes it possible to: perceive and interpret scientific ideas in various fields of humanitarian research; instil professional skills of scientific inquiries and research; develop the ability to use efficiently the achievements of modern science; work in a research team; and use the knowledge obtained to solve theoretical and applied tasks
- 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

- Sergei Dmitrenko, Candidate of Philology, Associate Professor in the Department of Philology of South-East Asia; expert in Khmer traditional culture and the areal typology of Southeast Asian languages, lexical typology, and the terminology of traditional material culture in Southeast Asian languages
- Nikolai Samoilov, Doctor of History, Professor in the Department of Theory of Social Development of Asian and African Countries; expert in Chinese history and China–Russia relations
- Aleksandr Storozhuk, Doctor of Philology, Professor in the Department of Chinese Philology; expert in traditional Chinese culture and belief systems, Chinese philosophy, and Chinese characters and calligraphy

Main areas of research

- Various areas of cultural interaction with Asian/African countries
- 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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