This course is a postgraduate-level seminar on (trans)national histories in Asia and the Pacific. It aims to challenge what we think of, and conceptualise as, “Asia” and "Pacific": not merely as a set of recent nation-states or as static, singular entities, but as a complex, dynamic, and interconnected region. In the weekly seminars students will explore a range of topics to build an advanced understanding of the key national and transnational issues in Asia and the Pacific: imperialism and anti-colonialism/imperialism, nationalism, identities, cultures, ethnicities, and resistance. Using a range of case studies, the course illustrates key issues in China, Japan, South Asia, mainland Southeast Asia, archipelagic Southeast Asia, and in transnational boundless spaces such as the broader Sinosphere and the Pacific. Students in this subject will research, present on, and write about topics on national and transnational history across the Asia and the Pacific, choosing area(s) of focus relevant to their degree.
The seminar will (re-)introduce postgraduate students to the academic environment and advanced skills that are necessary for investigation, critical analysis, evaluation, synthesis, and communication of complex information. Postgraduate students plan and execute an individual research project related to one of the course themes and engage in an interactive learning environment that fosters a spirit of inquiry and reinforces intellectual standards.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of key national and transnational issues in Asia and the Pacific;
- Develop and demonstrate analytical skills with regard to primary and secondary sources, especially to support historical arguments;
- Develop and demonstrate transferrable and employable skills through advanced written and verbal communication, especially skills of academic writing, and competent use of the library and other information sources; and
- Reflect on scholarly research practices both orally and in writing, individually and in groups.
- Develop, adapt and implement research methodologies to extend and redefine existing knowledge or professional practice
- Analyse critically, reflect on and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories
Other Information
Course topics covered in this course may include:
- Intellectual Histories in Asia and the Pacific
- Late colonial and anti-colonial/imperial histories in Asia and the Pacific
- Memory in national and transnational perspectives
- National and transnational histories of concepts of race, ethnicity, and nation
- Histories of material and visual cultures in Asia and the Pacific
- East Asia (China, Japan, Korea) in national and transnational historical perspective
- Indigenous perspectives in transnational contexts
- Pacific history (including the Polynesian triangle, Timor Leste, Taiwan, and Aotearoa)
- Indigenous Australian History
- South Asian history: The Indian Subcontinent
- Mainland Southeast Asian history: Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand
- Archipelagic Southeast Asian history: Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines
- National and Transnational history about unbounded spaces, specifically Overseas Chinese and Indian Diasporas across Asia and the Pacific
Indicative Assessment
- Participation (10) [LO 1,3,4]
- Analytical Reading Response 1 (500 words) (5) [LO 1,2,4,6]
- Analytical Reading Response 2 (500 words) (5) [LO 1,2,4,6]
- Seminar Presentation (10) [LO 1,3,4,6]
- Research Proposal/Prospectus (1500 words) (20) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- Final Research Essay (3500 words) (50) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
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.
Workload
The total workload for the course is 130 hours including in-class time and independent study.
Inherent Requirements
An undergraduate degree in the humanities or social sciences
Prescribed Texts
All readings will be posted on the subject Wattle page. There is no textbook for the subject.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $4080 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $6000 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2088 | 19 Feb 2024 | 26 Feb 2024 | 05 Apr 2024 | 24 May 2024 | In Person | View |
