Inventing Asian Traditions

Subject 672-303 (2009)

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

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 1, - 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 1.5-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment: 2.5 contact hours/week , 6 additional hours/week. Total of 8.5 hours per week.
Prerequisites: Usually 12.5 points of second-year History or Asian Studies
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: This is the core subject for the interdisciplinary program in Asian studies offering a comparative view of Asian societies and an example of how knowledge about these societies is developed and transmitted. The subject will look at some of the following themes: the origins of the idea of Asia, Asia in the Australian historical imagination, Orientalism, inventing nations, inventing the family and gender, and inventing religions. Students should complete the subject with a foundation for more specialised studies on Asia.
Objectives:
  • understand the origins of the idea of Asia, how Asia has been understood in the West over time and what purposes this knowledge of Asia has served;
  • understand how ideas about different religions and socio-ethical systems in Asia have changed over time;
  • be able to compare and assess how particular societies in Asia have constructed ideologies about national identity, popular culture, ethnicity, the family and gender;
  • understand Hobsbawm's concept of invented traditions and be able to apply it to particular case studies.
Assessment: A 1500-word essay 35% (due mid-semester), a comparative research essay of 2500 words 55% (due during the examination period) and tutorial participation including an oral presentation for one tutorial 10%. Hurdle requirement: students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to be pass this subject.
Prescribed Texts:
Breadth Options:

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

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.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • demonstrate research skills through competent use of the library and other information sources;
  • show critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument;
  • demonstrate understanding of social, ethical and cultural context through the contextualisation of judgements, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument;
  • be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion.
Notes: This subject is also available to second year students in the 'heritage BA degree' who need to take the subject as a core subject for the interdisciplinary program in Asian studies . Formerly available as 131-146, 110-021 or 158-219/319. Students who have completed 131-146, 110-021 or 158-219/319 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Asian Studies Major
History Major
International Studies Major

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