History, Memory and Violence in Asia (HIST90026)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
The history wars between Japan and China over Japan's war time roles periodically cause diplomatic fall outs between these two countries. Within the borders of Indonesia and Cambodia memories of violence are equally contested. Drawing on theoretical reflections on history and memory, on memory and identity politics, memory and the body, memory and gender students in this subject will learn to critically analyse memories or representations of violence in a range of Asian contexts. We will also engage with and reflect on a variety of media of memory such as narratives or testimony, museums, monuments, commemorative ceremonies, Internet sites, art and photographs. We will also reflect on the ethics and problems associated with researching and writing about memories and violence and related issues of truth and justice. The subject will include a number of case studies such as Japanese historical revisionism, the related memory wars in China over Japanese representations of the Nanjing Massacre and in Korea over the so called 'Comfort Women'. Further case studies might include memories of decolonisation wars, commemoration of the atomic bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, representations of the 1965 anti-communist killings in Indonesia, representations of the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, representations of the Cultural Revolution in China and representations of the Vietnam War in Vietnam.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:
- Summarise the history of violence in the Asian region
- Classify the various mediums of memory
- Evaluate the impact of traumatic pasts on contemporary Asian societies and of the politics of memory in this region
- Analyse the role of historical narratives and collective memory in shaping national identities and political discourses in Asia
- Compare different approaches to memorializing violence across various Asian countries, considering cultural, social, and political contexts
- Critically engage with theoretical frameworks on memory and trauma to understand the ongoing implications of historical violence in shaping regional and global dynamics.
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:
- Apply research skills through competent use of the library and other information sources
- Communicate effectively (written and oral)
- Construct an evidence-based argument or narrative through competent use of the library and other information sources
- Develop problem-solving and analytical skills
- Engage with new ideas and perspectives.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into or selection of one of the following:
- MC-IR Master of International Relations
- MC-CCS Master of Contemporary Chinese Studies
- Graduate Certificate in Arts - History specialisation (formal) in the GC-ARTS Graduate Certificate in Arts
- History specialisation (formal) in the GD-ARTS Graduate Diploma in Arts
- History specialisation (formal) in the GDA-ARTS Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced)
This subject is a capstone in the Master of International Relations, and is not available to Community Access Program (CAP), Inbound Exchange/Study Abroad or Incoming Cross-institutional students.
Corequisites
Non-allowed subjects
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
An assignment
| Week 7 | 40% |
A research essay
| Week 12 | 60% |
| Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
| Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinator Kate McGregor Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours: 1 x 2-hour seminar per week for 12 weeks. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025 Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025 Census date 1 September 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 September 2025 Assessment period ends 21 November 2025 Semester 2 contact information
Professor Kate McGregor: k.mcgregor@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
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- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the 'last day to withdraw without fail') count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Links to additional information
Last updated: 4 March 2025