Asian Traditions - Asian Modernities (ASIA90009)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2019
About this subject
Overview
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Thousands of local languages give testimony to Asia’s diversity, and yet the current and future relevance of this ethnic and cultural diversity, in the context of the national state and under the influence of globalisation, has become a topic of heated debate. This subject first explores a number of Asian cultures in-depth, through a careful selection of ethnographic texts. For each case study classic ethnographic material will be paired with the latest research on alternative modernities within the same society. This design will provide participants with an empirically grounded, longitudinal perspective on the ongoing tension between cultural continuity and change in Asia and elsewhere. Discussion will then focus on contemporary issues arising from such tensions, ranging from nativist identity politics to legitimate local struggles for self-determination. Growing calls in international policy circles for more recognition of the role of cultural diversity and local knowledge in addressing the major global challenges of the 21st century will also be considered in light of the case studies.
Intended learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- illustrate the rich diversity of cultural traditions across Asia with in-depth case studies;
- employ ethnographic methods and ethnographic data analysis;
- use case studies and regional comparative analysis to identify unique features and common themes across related societies within a region;
- use longitudinal comparison to identify and analyse social change as well as continuity;
- identify and analyse some of the characteristic issues arising when local societies come under the cultural, economic and political influence of encompassing nation states and globalisation;
- apply a range of theoretical tools to the analysis of social change;
- assess contemporary Asian cultures and their alternative modernities against the background of a knowledge of Asian traditions;
- describe how Asian societies’ cultural uniqueness has changed and is likely to evolve in future;
- explain how cultural diversity can be used as a resource for addressing global challenges; and
- explain why cultural diversity needs to be a key consideration in the local implementation of global change programs.
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject should:
- gain cross-cultural awareness and skills in essay writing' and
- gain the ability to apply case studies and comparative analysis as general social science methods to a wide range of research problems.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- Participation in seminar discussion (10%), due throughout the semester
- Essay 2,000 words (longitudinal case study) (30%), due in Week 6
- Essay 3,000 words (comparative analysis) (60%), due in the examination period
- Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject and regular class particiation is expected.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
Not available in 2019
Time commitment details
170 Hours
Additional delivery details
Please note: students must be admitted to GD-ARTS Graduate Diploma in Arts, GDA-ARTS Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced), BH-ARTS Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Arabic, Asian Studies, Chinese, Islamic Studies, Indonesian, Japanese, Anthropology or 097AB Master of Development Studies to enrol in this subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Specialisation (formal) Asian Studies Specialisation (formal) Asian Studies Specialisation (formal) Asian Studies Informal specialisation Asian Studies - Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 3 November 2022