Around half of the world’s languages are spoken in the Asia-Pacific region. How does this incredible linguistic diversity shape people’s everyday lives? The course uses case studies from across Asia and the Pacific to explore how the multiplicity of languages – spoken, written and signed – is a resource for individuals, communities and nation-states. Language, and different patterns of multilingualism, reflect and create social and cultural identities, and are intertwined with the social and political hierarchies that influence conflict and conflict resolution, equality and inequality, and processes of social stability and change. The language diversity of Asia and the Pacific is also influential on a global scale. The region is the source of some of the world’s most widely used languages, as well as leading the global diversification of English. This course introduces concepts, theories and models from linguistics that allow us to develop more nuanced analyses of the Asia-Pacific region through the lens of language.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the nature of language diversity and its implications across the Asia-Pacific region
- Interpret and reflect critically on academic and applied research on language in Asian and Pacific societies using linguistic concepts and models
- Critically analyse and evaluate different perspectives on the roles of language in the Asia-Pacific region
- Conduct research on topics of individual interest relating to language in the Asia-Pacific region
- Demonstrate skills in written and oral communication, both individually and in groups
- Communicate research findings and conclusions coherently, persuasively, and meaningfully
Other Information
This course is taught as a summer intensive. The classes for the course typically begin in the second week of January and end in mid-February, and include weekly evening classes leading up to and following four days of full-day classes run from Friday-Monday at the beginning of February. The course ends with the final piece of assessment, which is typically due at the end of February.
The course materials, including an overview of the course content, the class schedule and assessment deadlines, as well as the required readings and assessment instructions are made available on the course Wattle site in mid-December. Students may find it helpful to read at least some of the course readings ahead of the course start date.
Indicative Assessment
- Participation (10) [LO 1,2,3,5]
- Case Study 1 (1,500 words) (20) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- Case Study 2 (1,500 words) (20) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- Final Project: oral presentation (15) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- Final project: written piece (3,000 words) (35) [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
This course requires a total of 130 hours commitment, which includes:
- 36 hours of synchronous classes
- 94 hours of independent study, including readings and class preparation, asynchronous discussions and activities, and work on assessment items.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
There is not a prescribed textbook for this course. Course readings are a range of academic journal articles and book chapters.
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:
- 1
- 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.
