Asian Arts: Networks and Hubs

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

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

This subject investigates the political, social and cultural significance of the arts in contemporary Asia. Throughout Asia, visual and performing arts function as entertainment, communicative medium, commodity, religious ritual, political act and as sites for social conflict and accord. Diverse genres are examined as local, national, and transnational phenomena, which play key roles in the construction of individual and collective identities. Notions of the ‘traditional’ and the ‘contemporary’ are investigated and students become familiar with different analytical and aesthetic approaches to the study of the arts as social phenomena that can break down as well as create social barriers, national borders, and urban-regional divides.

On completion of the subject, students should be able to:

• Critically evaluate literature on the arts in Asia;
• Utilise appropriate theoretical approaches in analysing the role of arts, artists and audience in society;
• Interpret the role of social, political, historical and cultural contexts for Asian visual and performing arts, both domestically and internationally;
• Critically evaluate concepts such as ‘traditional’ and ‘contemporary’ and understand how such concepts are constructed and contested in society;
• Communicate results of research on a topic related to the arts and Asia.

• 2 review essays (1000 words, 25% each). Due early and mid-semester (50%)
• A research essay, 2000 words, due during the examination period (50%)

Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.

Materials (a course reader) will be supplied by the Institute.

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

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.

Upon the completion of this subject, students will have develop the following generic skills:

• Written communication skills through essay writing;
• Public speaking skills through presentations and seminar participations;
• Research skills through competent use of the library, and other information sources and the definition of areas of inquiry and methods of research;
• Critical thinking and analytical skills through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining strength of an argument.