The remarkable economic emergence of Asia in recent decades has transformed many impoverished and largely agriculturally based societies into the most dynamic region of the contemporary world. Asia’s burgeoning aspirational middle classes, rapid urbanisation, the expansion of participatory democracy and the shift from command economies to de-regulated markets have had profound effects on people’s everyday lives and the diverse cultural practices that have long shaped local livelihoods and community expectations. This course offers an introduction into anthropological approaches to the study of culture, modernity and globalisation in Asia. Relevant themes that have attracted anthropological interest include changing traditions and popular culture, adaptive custom and cosmopolitanism, migration and citizenship, identity politics and social movements as well as distinctive and emergent forms of governance in both collective and self-cultivating forms of expression. Drawing on a rich corpus of social theory and ethnographic research from anthropologists past and present, the course will provide students with conceptual and analytical tools to appreciate adaptive cultural practices in comparative terms, to review and appreciate the key anthropological debates and influential works in the study of modernity, and to introduce students to ethnographic approaches for researching and writing on modernity and contemporary ethnographies of global connection.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

1  Demonstrate understanding of theories and debates around modernity and concepts of culture
2. Demonstrate knowledge of key concepts in anthropology and its central research method - ethnography
3. Critically utilise case studies and relevant source material when arguing analytical points in writing.
4. Summarise, digest and present the contents of analytical readings for a wider audience.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Week 1: Introduction: Colonialism, Anthropology & Modernity	In addition to a course overview, we will also spend some time reminding ourselves of some key concepts in Anthropology
2	Week 2: Culture and Modernity: Theoretical Perspectives
3	Week 3: Multi-Species Ethnography
4	Week 4: Culture, Technological Change and Time/Space
5	Week 5: Modernity and Exclusion
6	Week 6: Religion, Power and Modernity
7	Week 7: Ethnography Workshop	We will work in groups to learn how to write ethnographicaly
8	Week 8: Modernity and Development
9	Week 9: Consumer Culture and Global Futures in Asia
10	Week 10: Gender and Sexuality
11	Week 11: Popular Culture and Nationalism
12	Week 12: Presentations of the Final Essay

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Tutorial participation	10 %	28/10/2020	06/11/2020	1,2
Presentation	10 %	22/10/2020	28/10/2020	1,2
Ethnographic Narrative	15 %	25/09/2020	07/10/2020	2,3,4
Short Essay	20 %	25/08/2020	07/09/2020	2,3,4
Final Essay	45 %	30/10/2020	06/11/2020	1,2

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Tutorial participation

Students are encouraged to consult with the course lecturer via a formal appointment or in another setting to safeguard student privacy on the quality of their tutorial participation.

The lecturer will also provide ongoing verbal guidance in tutorials…  as students' raise their own questions and comments.

Assessment Task 2

Presentation

Students present the results of their research for the Essay on Week 12. Presentations will take place according to a roaster, which will be shared with the class beforehand. All students are expected to participate in the class and provide feedback to their peers. The focus of the presentation will be the draft of the essay paper. The essay has a clear focus, and the presentations are aimed at increasing our knowledge about the essay's main question, as well as contributing to the enhancement of students' communications skills. 

Assessment Task 3

Ethnographic Narrative

We will devote one week on an ethnography workshop, learning how to write an ethnographic narrative. This is to assist students with this assignment.You will plan and conduct a 15 minute ethnographic interview, dealing with an aspect of culture and modernity in Asia. You can select a place and geographical location that your interview partner/ research subject is personally familiar with. When you have completed your ethnographic narrative please submit it.

Assessment Task 4

Short Essay

This will take place during the first half of the course, before the mid-semester break. Dates will be shared on Wattle. For this essay, students will need to critically evaluate one of the class readings and provide their analysis.

Assessment Task 5

Final Essay

This essay assessment is based on individual research and analysis and addresses course learning outcomes 2, 3, and 4. The essay should address any issue discussed during weekly discussions, i.e. to explore the inter-relationship between modernity and consumerism, technology, middle-class, popular culture, religious ideologies, urbanization, industralization, and so on. Any issue which particularly interest students and is relevant to the course. Preferably it should address a problem within a country, geography, or a region. Do consult with the course convenor to discuss the topic to ensure that it is suitable for the course. 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the final grades. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students