Popular Culture and Contemporary Asia

Subject ASIA90007 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2011.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: This subject will be taught intensively in semester 2.
Total Time Commitment: Total 120 hours including contact and non-contact hours.
Prerequisites:

Entry into the Master of International Relations or Executive Master of Arts or Master of Arts Asian Societies Admission into the Masters of International Relations.

.

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 Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

Dr Michael Ewing mce@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

New technologies, popular culture and the mass media have a profound impact on contemporary Asian identities - both in terms of how people within Asian communities view themselves and how they are viewed internationally. Rapid political, economic and social changes are reflected through popular entertainment industries as well as through alternative and underground social and cultural movements. In this subject students will investigate the processes of creating and maintaining local, regional and translational identities in the Asia Pacific region with close attention to such topics as music, film, consumerism, alternative spiritual movements and other contemporary cultural expressions.
Objectives:
  • Develop familiarity with a range of approaches to conceptualising "tradition" in contemporary Asia
  • Developing a critical understanding of how the concept of "tradition" is employed to further social and political ends in different Asian societies
  • Developing a critical understanding of the interplay between nationalism, globalisation and ethno-local identity
Assessment: Written work totalling 5000 words comprising two 1000 word review essays 20% each (one due mid-semester and one due at the end of semester), and a research essay totalling 3000 words 60% (due during examination period).
Prescribed Texts:

A Reading Pack will be available for purchase from the University Bookshop.
Recommended Texts:

None.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • Applying research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry
  • Developing persuasive arguments on a given topic
  • Communicating oral and written arguments and ideas effectively
  • Developing cross-cultural understanding
Notes: None.
Related Course(s): Master of International Relations

Download PDF version.