History, Memory and Violence in Asia

Subject 131-405 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 2-hour seminar per week
Total Time Commitment: 2 contact hours/week , 8 additional hours/week. Total of 8.5 hours per week.
Prerequisites: Usually admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth-year honours in history (or in a relevant program) or enrolment in a relevant coursework Masters program
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Dr Kate Mcgregor

Contact

Kate McGregor

k.mcgregor@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: The history wars between Japan and China over JapanÂ’s war time roles periodically cause diplomatic fall outs between these two countries. Within the borders of Indonesia, India 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 oral history, 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 Japanese silences about the Comfort Women. We will also examine 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 violence of Partition in India, representations of the 1998 anti-Chinese riots in Indonesia and representations of the Vietnam War in Vietnam.
Objectives:
  • acquire knowledge of the history of violence in the Asian region;
  • have an understanding of the politics of memory;
  • have an understanding of the impact of traumatic pasts on contemporary Asian societies and of the politics of memory in this region.
Assessment:

  • A reflective essay of 1500 words 35% due in semester break; and
  • A research essay of 3500 words 65% due during the examination period.
Prescribed Texts:
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • show an advanced understanding of the changing knowledge base in the specialist area;
  • be able to evaluate and synthesise the research and professional literature in the discipline;
  • have an appreciation of the design, conduct and reporting of original research.
Related Course(s): Master of Arts (Asian Societies)
Master of Criminology (CWT)
Master of International Studies
Postgraduate Certificate in International Studies
Postgraduate Diploma in International Studies
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Asian Studies
Asian Studies
History
History
History
Indonesian
Indonesian

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