Understanding Asia

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

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

The subject begins by exploring the question of how the West has sought to define Asia geographically, culturally and historically in the modern period and how peoples living in the Asian region have responded to and resisted these definitions. Students are then introduced to the formation of early cultural identities within the Asian region, including the emergence of diverse Asian civilisations, the major religions and belief systems of Asia and selected themes within contemporary Asian societies. These may include an examination of Asian families, gender in Asia, religious revival, Asian diaspora, Asian economies and ‘Asian' values. Students will be introduced to Asia through a variety of Asia-produced media. They will learn to analyse historical sources, maps, artefacts, images and extracts from religious teachings in addition to secondary sources.

Subject Objectives

Students who complete this subject should:

• be able to reflect critically on Western and Asian ideas of Asia and Asian identities;

• comprehend the key religions and value systems of Asia and their origin;

• have an understanding of key features of early Asian civilisations;

• appreciate key historical and cultural links between Asian societies;

• grasp some of the multiple ideas of gender and family in Asia;

• comprehend processes of economic transition in Asia;

• appreciate some of the experiences of Asian diasporas;

• be able to challenge commonly held Western views about Asia;

• be able to critically analyse primary documents, religious and cartographic texts and visual artefacts.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

• understand a range of disciplines and methodologies appropriate to the texts, artefacts, theoretical structures and social practices with which they are concerned;

• have developed a capacity for critical thought and analysis through the construction and articulation of lucid, logical arguments;

• have developed oral and written skills through essay writing and tutorial participation;

• have acquired the tools for independent and targeted research, using library and other information services;

• have the ability to organise and manage their time through the planning of class assessments and the meeting of set due dates.