Asia, the Pacific & the West in History

This subject is not offered in 2012.

102 hours

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 Overview, Objectives, 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 the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

From Burma to Japan, Indonesia to Thailand, the Cook Islands to Cambodia and Tibet, this subject will explore histories of Asia, the Pacific and the West's involvement in these areas from the 16th century to the present, with an emphasis on 20th century history. The subject will be divided into three thematic groups: early contact between Asia, the Pacific and the West, colonisation, resistance and the struggles for independence and the decolonisation process and recent crises in Asia and the Pacific. Questions explored over the course of the subject include: What was the nature of early contact between the West and Asia and between the West and the Pacific? How did contact with the West transform states and societies in Asia and the Pacific? What policies did colonial powers (including Japan) implement? What forms did resistance to these policies take? How did colonisation and eventual decolonisation exacerbate racial, ethnic and national tensions, and how have these factors influence states and societies in Asia and the Pacific today? Finally, we will look at questions of human rights and economic trade in the West's relations with countries in Asia and the Pacific today, particularly China (Tibet), Myanmar, Fiji, and Cambodia.

• have a firm grasp of the important role that Western contact and Asia's various responses to the West had in shaping the nature and course of Asian history during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Online class participation, and written work totalling 4000 words comprising a 1000-word analytical exercise 30% (due before the one-week break), tutorial participation though online postings equivalent to 500 words 25% (throughout the teaching period) and a 2500-word essay 45% (due two weeks after the final class).

Hurdle requirement: students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day; after five working days, no late assessment will be marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Subject readings will be available to download via the subject website.

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.

• 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.

This subject is taught online over a nine week period with one week for orientation exercises. Students who have completed 131-214 are not eligible to enrol in this subject. The subject dates and HECS/course fee census date for this subject change each year. Check your enrolment record for the correct census date for this subject. Students enrolled in this subject as part of the GIP must be capable of reading and writing in English to a university standard. If you have any doubts or queries about the level of English required, please contact the subject co-ordinator. Orientation: March 7-11, Weeks 1-6: March 14-April 21, Non-teaching week: 22 April–1 May, Weeks 7-8: May 2-14, Final assessment: 26 May.