About the Program

About the MAAS program 

The rise of Asia is defining global processes in all respects, which makes it absolutely necessary for individuals from any walk of life to have a better understanding of the dynamics behind the ascent of the Asian continent. The role of Japan, China, India, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore in the world economy and international relations contributes to Asia as a regional center of globalization.

The Master of Arts Program in Asian Studies at Boğaziçi University (MAAS) aims to provide students from different academic and professional backgrounds with a solid foundation in this field, and to prepare them for the challenges of the 21st century. The program combines a multi-disciplinary approach incorporating political, economic, social and cultural studies of Asia with language courses aiming to equip the students with working knowledge in an Asian language. MAAS prepares students for a wide range of career options -in the government, business world, NGOs, international and national think-tanks on area studies and international relations, the academy, journalism/media, publishing, cultural foundations and the like- in today’s and tomorrow’s world where Asia is to play an increasingly assertive role.

MAAS is a one-year program offered by Boğaziçi University Institute of Social Sciences, supported by the Asian Studies Center and the Department of History. Students of the Program can opt for either a degree with thesis or for a degree without thesis, depending on their preferences and career plans. Presently, the program offers three regional majors concentrating on Japan, China and Korea respectively. Please note that Russia/Central Asia fields will also be opened provided there is sufficient student interest.

The program in Japanese studies, Chinese studies and Korean studies includes education on general Asia as well as additional elective courses on India, Central Asia, the Middle East/West Asia, and South East Asia. The program is complemented with Japanese, Chinese and Korean language instruction.

MAAS is a special tuition program that aims to serve the working-student by offering courses after work-hours and on week-ends. The language of instruction is English.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

It is now possible for students pursuing a degree without thesis to transfer to a thesis track.

* Eligibility: By the time of application for a transfer, the student has to have completed a minimum of 12 credits, with a minimum GPA of 3.25. The Institute of Social Science reserves the right to apply additional conditions.

* Applications are to be made over the period stated in the academic calendar of Boğaziçi University.

* Applications are accepted on the basis of a recommendation of the program and approval by the Institute of Social Sciences.

* Decisions of acceptance are to be submitted by the Institute of Social Sciences to the Registrar's Office at least two weeks prior to the commencement of the academic semester.

* Credits of the students are to be trasnferred in compliance with the minimum 50% rule as per with Article 20 of Boğaziçi University Graduate Studies Regulations.

 

MAAS Thesis List

 

Hüseyin Oğuz Genç, China's developmental state and the main determinants of its growth during the reform era, MA Thesis, Asian Studies, 2016. Peking University, Yenching Academy, MA. Business Development, Wamo Technologies, China. 

Hüseyin Oğuz Genç, “Çin Kalkınmacı Devleti ve Çin’in Reform Dönemi Yüksek Büyüme Performansının Ana Etkenleri”, Lisans Üstü Tezi, Asya Çalışmaları, 2016. Peking University, Yenching Academy, Yüksek Lisans. İş Geliştirme Sorumlusu, Wamo Technologies, Çin.

 

Hülya Görkem Demirbulak, Changing the status of the presidency: A comparison of constitutional amendments in South Korea and Turkey, MA Thesis, Asian Studies, 2017. Ph.D. Yonsei University Korean Government Scholarship, ongoing.

Hülya Görkem Demirbulak, “Güney Kore ve Türkiye Anayasa Değişiklikleri Karşılaştırması”, Lisans Üstü Tezi, Asya Çalışmaları, 2017. Doktora, Yonsei University, Kore Devleti Bursu, devam etmekte.

 

Emre Tunç Sakaoğlu, Patterns of contemporary Russo-Syrian relations: A realist interpretation from the Moscow perspective, MA Thesis, Asian Studies, 2017. Assistant Specialist, PayCore, Istanbul, Turkey.

Emre Tunç Sakaoğlu, “Rusya-Suriye İlişkilerinin Döngüsel Evrimi: Moskova Perspektifinden Gerçekçi Bir Yorum”, Lisans Üstü Tezi, Asya Çalışmaları, 2017. Uzman Yardımcısı, PayCore, İstanbul, Türkiye.

 

Barış İskender, “One Nation, Two States”: Turkey–Azerbaijan economic relations and the rhetoric of Turkic identity, MA Thesis, Asian Studies, 2018. Eat.Play.Code., Machine Learning Engineer, Sidney, Australia.

Barış İskender, “"Bir Millet, İki Devlet": Türkiye–Azerbaycan Ekonomik İlişkileri ve Türklük Kimliği Söylemi”, Lisans Üstü Tezi, Asya Çalışmaları, 2018. Makine Öğrenmesi Mühendisi, Eat.Play.Code., Sidney, Avustralya. 

 

İrem Cihan Muter, Practices of soft power: A comparison of South Korea and Turkey from the 1990s to 2017, MA Thesis, Asian Studies, 2018. Ph.D. in Politics and International Studies, SOAS University of London, ongoing.

İrem Cihan Muter, “Yumuşak Güç Uygulamaları: 1990’lardan 2017’ye Güney Kore ve Türkiye Karşılaştırması”, Lisans Üstü Tezi, Asya Çalışmaları, 2018. Doktora, SOAS University of London, Politika ve Uluslararası İlişkiler, devam etmekte.

 

Burcu Mirkelam, Prospects for a multicultural Korean society: Minority politics with a focus on Afro-Koreans, MA Thesis, Asian Studies, 2018. MA, The London Scool of Economics and Political Science, 2016.

Burcu Mirkelam, “Çok Kültürlü Kore Toplumunun Geleceği: Afro-Koreliler ve Azınlık Siyaseti”, Lisans Üstü Tezi, Asya Çalışmaları, 2018. The London School of Economics and Political Science, Lisans Üstü, 2016.

 

Alp Anıl Ateş, The making of luxury markets: A comparison of Chinese and Turkish patterns, MA Thesis, Asian Studies, 2019.

Alp Anıl Ateş, “Lüks Sektörlerinin Oluşumu: Çin ve Türkiye Modellerinin Karşılaştırılması”, Lisans Üstü Tezi, Asya Çalışmaları, 2019.

 

Zeynepcan Akar, Turkey, China and the silk road of energy : The Trans-Anatolian natural gas pipeline, MA Thesis, Asian Studies, 2019. Social Development Analyst, International Finance Corporation, Vienna, Austria. 

Zeynepcan Akar, “Türkiye, Çin ve Enerjinin İpek Yolu: Trans Anadolu Doğalgaz Boru Hattı”, Lisans Üstü Tezi, Asya Çalışmaları, 2019. Sosyal Kalkınma Analisti, Uluslararası Finans Kurumu, Viyana, Avusturya.

 

Reyhan Silingar, The role of the emperor in postwar Japan : an analysis of emperor Showa’s addresses at parliament openings, MA Thesis, Asian Studies, 2019.

Reyhan Silingar, Savaş Sonrası Japonya'da İmparatorun Rolü: İmparator Showa’nın Parlamento Açılışındaki Adreslerinin Analizi”, Lisans Üstü Tezi, Asya Çalışmaları, 2019.

 

Aslı İdil Kaynar, Representations of the modern girl in Japanese interwar literature, MA Thesis, Asian Studies, 2019. Content Editor and Translator, Oggito, Istanbul, Turkey.

Aslı İdil Kaynar, “Savaşlar Arası Dönemde Japon Edebiyatında Modern Kız Tasvirleri”, Lisans Üstü Tezi, Asya Çalışmaları, 2019. İçerik Editörü ve Çevirmen, Oggito, İstanbul, Türkiye.

 

Gözde Can, Nasreddin Efendi (Afanti) in the Chinese media: A state instrument for coping with the Uyghur issue, MA Thesis, Asian Studies, 2019. International Industry Reporting Assistant, İçdaş, Istanbul, Turkey.

Gözde Can, “Çin Medyasında Nasreddin Efendi (Afanti): Uygur Meselesi ile Mücadele Etmek için bir Devlet Aracı”, Lisans Üstü Tezi, Asya Çalışmaları, 2019. Yurt Dışı Sektörel Takip ve Raporlama Asistanı, İçdaş, İstanbul, Türkiye.

 

Can Öçalan, Japan’s constitutional revision debate in the light of domestic and regional developments, MA Thesis, Asian Studies, 2019.

Can Öçalan, “Japonya’nın Yerel ve Bölgesel Gelişmeler Işığındaki Anayasa Revizyonu”, Lisans Üstü Tezi, Asya Çalışmaları, 2019.

 

Ebru Duman, The Impact of Kawaii Culture on Gender and Japan’s National Image (Kawaii Kültürünün Cinsiyet Rolleri ve Japonya’nın Ulusal İmaji Üzerindeki Rolü), MA Thesis, Asian Studies, 2019. English Language Teacher, Ministry of Education, Bursa, Turkey.

Ebru Duman, “”Kawaii Kültürünün Cinsiyet Rolleri ve Japonya’nın Ulusal İmaji Üzerindeki Rolü”, Lisans Üstü Tezi, Asya Çalışmaları, 2019. İngilizce Öğretmeni, MEB, Bursa, Türkiye.

 

Melisa Gündüz, The Changing Role of Japanese NGOs: A Case Study of a Japanese NGO in Turkey, MA Thesis, Asian Studies, 2019. Social Policy Officer, UNICEF, Gaziantep, Turkey.

Melisa Gündüz, “Japon Sivil Toplum Kuruluşlarının Değişen Rolü: Bir Japon STK’nın Türkiye’deki Çalışmaları”, Lisans Üstü Tezi, Asya Çalışmaları, 2019. Sosyal Politika Sorumlusu, UNICEF, Gaziantep, Türkiye.

 

Güneş Sargüney, Robotics and Ageing Well in Japan: The Challenges and Prospects for a Super-Aged Society, MA Thesis, Asian Studies, 2019. Event Coordinator, Japanese Art Center, Istanbul, Turkey.

Güneş Sargüney, “Japonya’da Robot Teknolojileri ve İyi Yaşlanma: Süper-Yaşlı Toplum için Zorluklar ve Beklentiler”, Lisans Üstü Tezi, Asya Çalışmaları, 2019. Etkinlik Koordinatörü, Japon Sanat Merkezi, İstanbul, Türkiye.

 

Çağdaş Utku Çakmak, Policy Convergence Study Between the Russian Federation and People’s Republic of China, MA Thesis, Asian Studies, 2019.

Çağdaş Utku Çakmak, “Rusya Federasyonu ve Çin Halk Devleti Politika Yakınsaması Çalışması”, Lisans Üstü Tezi, Asya Çalışmaları, 2019.

 

Türkan Yiğitoğlu, Emerging Energy Trends in East Asia: Analysis of the Relationship Between Oil Production Levels, MA Thesis, Asian Studies, 2019. Senior Financial Specialist, LG Chem, Istanbul, Turkey.

Türkan Yiğitoğlu, “Doğu Asya’daki Gelişen Enerji Trendleri: Petrol Üretim Seviyeleri ve Petrol Fiyatları Arasındaki İlişki Üzerine Analiz”, Lisans Üstü Tezi, Asya Çalışmaları, 2019. Kıdemli Finansal Analist, LG Chem, İstanbul, Tükriye.

 

Kemal Saf, A Marxist Reading of Kuroshima Denji, MA Thesis, Asian Studies, 2020. Cabin Attendant, Turkish Airlines.

Kemal Saf, Kuroshima Denji’nin Marxist Okuması, Lisans Üstü Tezi, Asya Çalışmaları, 2020. Kabin Memuru, Türk Hava Yolları.

 

Almira Bağlar, Artificial Intelligence for Social Good from a Global Perspective to a Regional One, MA Thesis, Asian Studies, 2020. AI Program Coordinator, inzva, Istanbul, Turkey.

Almira Bağlar, Toplumsal Fayda için Yapay Zeka: Küresel bir Perspektiften Yerel Perspektife, Lisans Üstü Tezi, Asya Çalışmaları, 2020. AI Programı Koordinatörü, inzva, İstanbul, Türkiye.

 

Neslihan Yakut, The Impact of the Japanese Occupation on Contemporary Ethnic Politics in Malaysia, MA Thesis, Asian Studies, 2021.                                                            

Neslihan Yakut, Japon İşgalinin Malezya'daki Güncel Etnik Politikalar Üzerindeki Etkisi, Lisans Üstü Tezi, Asya Çalışmaları, 2021.

Taner Kır, The Strategic Importance of the Kuril Islands for Japan's National Security, MA Thesis, Asian Studies, 2021.                                                                                                

Taner Kır, Kuril Adaları'nın Japonya'nın Ulusal Güvenliği İçin Stratejik Önemi, Lisans Üstü Tezi, Asya Çalışmaları, 2021.

Cansu Gümüş, A Comparison of 19th Century Turkish and Chinese Women in Terms of Property Rights, MA Thesis, Asian Studies, 2021.                                                            

Cansu Gümüş, 19. Yüzyıl Türk ve Çinli Kadınlarının Mülkiyet Hakları Açısından Karşılaştırılması, Lisans Üstü Tezi, Asya Çalışmaları, 2021.

Kuntay Yiğit Uçar, Hyundai Motors Company's Overseas Manufacturing Policy: The Analysis of Turkey as a Production Site, MA Thesis, Asian Studies, 2021.                    

Kuntay Yiğit Uçar, Hyundai Motors Company'nin Yurtdışı Üretim Politikası: Bir Üretim Yeri Olarak Türkiye Analizi, Lisans Üstü Tezi, Asya Çalışmaları, 2021.

Merve Yahşi, Branding Washoku as an Instrument of Japanese Soft Power, MA Thesis, Asian Studies, 2021.                                                                                                                     

Merve Yahşi, Washoku'yu Japon Yumuşak Gücünün Aracı Olarak Markalamak, Yüksek Lisans Tezi, Asya Çalışmaları, 2021.

Burcu Karaarslan, The perception of Chinggis Khan: A comparison of Medieval Mongolian, Persian and Chinese Historical Sources, 2022.

Burcu Karaarslan, Cengiz Han Algısı: Ortaçağ Moğol, Fars ve Çin Tarihi Kaynaklarının Karşılaştırılması, 2022.

 

Yalın Akçevin, Understanding Jimintō (Liberal Democratic Party) Factionalism as a Structure of Elite Circulation in Japanese Politics, 2022.

Yalın Akçevin, Jiminto (Liberal Demokrat Parti) Fraksiyonalizmini Japon Siyasetinde Elit Dolaşımın Bir Yapısı Olarak Anlamak, 2022.

 

Ayşe Selin Kot, Tracing The Criminal Women In Edogawa Ranpo’s Stories, 2022.

Ayşe Selin Kot, Edogawa Ranpo'nun Öykülerinde Suçlu Kadının İzini Sürmek, 2022.

 

Semiha Karaoğlu, Bunka Gaik; (Japan’s Cultural Diplomacy) Re-Constructing Japanese Identity in France and Turkey (1952-1989), 2022.

Semiha Karaoğlu, Bunka Gaik; (Japonya'nın Kültürel Diplomasisi) Fransa ve Türkiye'de Japon Kimliğini Yeniden İnşa Etmek (1952-1989), 2022.

 

Jennifer Norris, The Influence of the Vajrapani on Japanese Martial Ideology, 2022.

Jennifer Norris, Vajrapani'nin Japon Savaş İdeolojisine Etkisi, 2022.