China Studies Master s Program (CSMP) FAQ List 2012/13

Transcription

1 China Studies Master s Program (CSMP) FAQ List 2012/13 1) Who can apply to the China Studies Master s Program? This program is open exclusively to: - current students enrolled in the Laurea Magistrale in Scienze Internazionali (LM-52) at the Faculty of Political Science, University of Torino; - recent graduates (maximum 18 months) from the Laurea Magistrale in Scienze Internazionali (LM-52) at the Faculty of Political Science, University of Torino. Students may join the program provided they have earned a minimum of 36 CFU in their current Laurea Magistrale by July 30 th Failure to meet this condition will result in the offer being revoked. 2) Who organizes this scheme? The China Studies scheme is organized by the Faculty of Political Science at the University of Torino through the TOChina working unit, in partnership with the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of Zhejiang University. 3) Are there any scholarships for the China Studies Master s program? Scholarships are available for this program. All selected students will be provided with free accommodation and tuition, plus - according to Annex B of the partnership agreement between the Faculty of Political Science of the University of Torino and the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of Zhejiang University - a monthly allowance of approx (at the current exchange rate). Participants will be required to pay for other expenses, including flights (approx for a return flight from Italy) and meals (very cheap). Field trips are an integral, non-optional part of the program, and they also are covered by the scholarship. 3 of the 15 scholarships will be reserved to recent graduates. In case fewer than three recent graduates are admitted to the Program, the remaining places will be offered to students according to their final ranking. Applicants who should fail to meet the minimum required level determined by the selection committee (60/100) will not be ranked and thus admitted to the Program.

2 4) As a current student, how many credits am I required to earn in Torino before I leave for Hangzhou? You are required to earn at least 36 CFU to be admitted to the selection procedure and if selected leave for Hangzhou. 5) Is a Mandarin Chinese language certificate a necessary precondition to be admitted to the selection? No, it is not. Zhejiang University provides several levels of Mandarin Chinese classes. Absolute beginners in Mandarin are also welcome to apply to the Program, even though possessing basic notions of the language is an advantage at the time of the selections. 6) Is it possible to sit exams scheduled in September 2012 in Torino, before departure? No, it is not. The China Studies Master s Programme begins in Hangzhou in early September (a precise date will be notified to successful applicants by the end of June 2012). 7) What exams will I have to sit in Hangzhou? Students are required to earn at least 16 Chinese credits during their stay at Zhejiang University, divided as follows: 3 credits for Chinese language 2 credits for China Survey 8 credits for four courses individually chosen by students following a one-to-one advisory session with Zhejiang University faculty. Courses will be offered in the following areas: (I) (II) (III) (IV) Language, Culture & Heritage Business & Economic Development International Relations Public policies in China 3 credits for activities and field trips All courses are taught in English. Optional courses on Chinese traditional culture are offered in Mandarin Chinese. By the end of their academic year in Hangzhou, students must produce a thesis in English (no less than 10,000 words) or Mandarin Chinese (no less than 20,000 characters) and successfully defend it. Students who write their thesis in English must also submit an abstract in Mandarin Chinese of no less than 1,000 characters.

3 Upon full attendance of the program and successful sitting of the final exams (including defending their thesis), participants are awarded: (i) a Master s Degree in China Studies approved by China s Ministry of Education; (ii) 45 Italian CFU for their curriculum at the Faculty of Political Science in Torino. Grades are issued in the usual /30 format. 8) Do I have to defend my thesis in China or in Torino? Overall, students participating in this program are required to defend two theses, one in Hangzhou (the thesis for the China Studies Master s Degree) and one in Torino (the thesis for the Italian Laurea Magistrale). The two theses are technically two different pieces of work, in terms of structure and length. However, they can focus on the same subject and the Italian thesis can be developed as an extended version of the Chinese one. The completion and discussion of the Italian thesis allows students to obtain 18 CFU (leading to a total of 63 CFU at the end of their second year of Laurea Magistrale) and to gain the grades that are normally added to the average grades achieved during the two years of the Laurea Magistrale toward the final /110 grade. 9) I am a first-year student in Torino. Since I will be spending almost all my second year in Hangzhou, who will act as supervisor for my Italian final dissertation? A Professor in Torino or in Hangzhou? For the Italian dissertation, a Professor in Torino must be chosen as official supervisor. 10) Shall I complete the writing of my thesis while still being in China? The thesis for the Chinese Master must be completed and defended while being in Hangzhou, in June The Italian thesis for the Laurea Magistrale can be completed and discussed once back to Italy. 11) Can this academic year in China be valid as a Master di Secondo Livello in Italy even though I am still enrolled in a Laurea Magistrale? The Chinese Master is not legally valid in Italy as such. In Italy, the academic year spent in Hangzhou will legally count as a substantial part (45 CFU) of the Laurea Magistrale curriculum. The Chinese Master is legally valid in China, of course. 12) I have chosen the Chinese language course offered by the Faculty of Political Science in Torino. Can I sit this exam while staying in Hangzhou? No, it must be sat in Torino. While in Hangzhou, additional Mandarin classes are to be attended.

4 13) How can I apply? The deadline for applications to the China Studies Master s Program is May 25 th 2012, at noon (12:00). No late applications will be admitted. In order to apply to the program applicants must write to Ms. Annarita Letizia at mobilitainternazionale.scipol@unito.it. They should attach to their the following documents in PDF format: - up-to-date curriculum in Europass format; - cover letter in English, of maximum 350 words in length, stating the reasons for applying to the program; - full academic transcript, indicating the degree program applicants are currently enrolled in (or graduated in), exams and relevant grades, the type and final grade of Laurea triennale (degree). Applicants are encouraged to attach any document they deem relevant for their application, especially language certificates and evidence of work experience. Participation to seminar series and laboratories organized by the Laurea Magistrale in Scienze Internazionali is appreciated and may be indicated in candidates CVs. All of these documents too must be in PDF format. Ms. Annarita Letizia, International mobility office, will collect all applications in a personal file and send them for assessment. She will send out an official confirmation to each candidate only after receiving all required documents. Candidates failing to send all documents by the aforementioned deadline will not be considered for selection. Requests for further information on the CSMP program should be addressed to Ms. Letizia too. 14) What is the deadline for application? The deadline is May 25 th 2012, at noon (12:00). 15) What are the selection criteria? Students are reminded that competition for securing a place at this Program can be very intense. Selectors will consider the following factors in making their decision: academic transcript, personal CV, proficiency in English, participation to activities organized within the Scienze Internazionali degree program, basic knowledge of Mandarin Chinese language (beneficial but not compulsory), individual potential. Candidates will be interviewed individually before a final decision is taken. Interviews will be conducted in English. Interviews will be conducted on Tuesday May 29 st 2012 at Dipartimento di Scienze Politiche (prof. Anna Caffarena s office), via Giolitti 33, 2 nd floor, at 2.30 pm. All candidates who have received a confirmation from Ms. Annarita Letizia should attend the interviews. Candidates are requested to carry an ID with them.

5 16) How does the selection procedure work? Ms. Annarita Letizia will collect all applications in a personal file and send them for assessment. She will send out an official confirmation to each candidate only after receiving all required documents. Candidates failing to send all documents by the aforementioned deadline will not be considered for selection. Candidates will then be ranked by a Selection Committee composed of three members, two faculty members from the Laurea Magistrale in Scienze Internazionali (University of Torino) and one from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of Zhejiang University. The intermediate ranking, based on the application materials sent by candidates, is subsequently complemented with the outcomes of interviews, leading to a final ranking. Both successful and unsuccessful candidates will be notified of the outcome of selections via ; the final ranking will appear on the website of the Faculty of Political Science ( Successful candidates must confirm via that they accept the offer within 10 days of receiving the formal notification of the offer itself from Ms. Letizia. Failure to do so will lead to the offer being revoked. In case any offer is revoked or eventually refused by successful candidates, they will be offered progressively to candidates ranking immediately below successful applicants. The enrolment procedure for the China Studies Master s Program will be concluded by June 30 th 2012, in good time for the departure of students in the first days of September. Torino, 8 th May 2012