• Class Number 6540
  • Term Code 3550
  • Class Info
  • Unit Value 6 units
  • Topic Discovering Asia through Travel Literature
  • Mode of Delivery In Person
  • COURSE CONVENER
    • AsPr Ronit Ricci
  • LECTURER
    • AsPr Ronit Ricci
  • Class Dates
  • Class Start Date 09/07/2025
  • Class End Date 25/07/2025
  • Census Date 18/07/2025
  • Last Date to Enrol 09/07/2025
SELT Survey Results

This course will be occasionally scheduled to offer one-off opportunities to study under visiting experts, or to showcase a new teaching area. Information on the particular topic offered under this course will be outlined in the ‘Other Information’ section, including topic title, the topic convenor, and an indication of workload and indicative assessment. Classes in this course may cover emerging issues and provide an opportunity for students to learn about events, places, peoples and forms of knowledge in Asia and the Pacific, ranging from the local to the global. Topics may focus on particular societies and states, localities, or trans-regional issues. Many of the topics will build on the concepts and methodological tools presented in discipline courses, and give an in-depth understanding of how they are applied, and critiqued, in specific contexts.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. demonstrate an understanding of major issues and concepts associated with the Asia-Pacific region or a subregion of Asia and the Pacific.
  2. evaluate and apply these concepts to produce arguments in the study of Asia and the Pacific.
  3. provide critical evaluation of the approaches employed in the study of Asia and the Pacific.
  4. independently research and write analytically and critically on key topics relating to Asia and the Pacific.
  5. demonstrate effective communication skills.

Required Resources

Readings on Canvas

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

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

  • written comments
  • verbal comments on presentation

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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session Summary of Activities Assessment
1 Introduction: what is travel literature?lecture, discussion of readings, film
2

Travel to the Dutch East Indies: Sulawesi

Beyond Europe and back in time: the travels of Ibn Batutalecture, discussion of readingsMarco Polo goes to China: a narrative of travel to Asia in the 14th century guest speaker

quiz 1 on readings, 10% of final mark
3 The Malay Archipelago: tribes, orangutans and kingslecture, discussion of readings

Ethnography and travel writingdiscussion of readings, writing ethnography exercise

assignment (not graded) : writing a brief ethnography on campus

submission of outline for final assignment: a selected travel narrative (one paragraph), a proposed framework of analysis (one paragraph), tentative bibliography.

 

4 Travel Writing from IndiaWhat is a gendered perspective on travel?lecture, discussion of readings

Travel writing and the spectre of the Other guest speaker

quiz 2 on readings, 10% of final mark
5

Travel Writing from Japanlecture, discussion of readings

Critical Perspectives on Contemporary Southeast Asian Tourism guest speaker

6 Concluding thoughts on discovering Asia through travel literature, then and nowrecap and discussion of course materials and insightsstudent presentations and class feedback presentation of topic of final assignment, 20% of final mark

Tutorial Registration

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.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task Value Due Date
quiz 1 10 % 11/07/2025
quiz 2 10 % 16/07/2025
class presentation 20 % 18/07/2025
participation 10 % *
final paper 50 % 25/07/2025

* 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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

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 Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

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.

Participation

10%

Active participation in class discussions based on readings.

Assessment Task 1

Value: 10 %
Due Date: 11/07/2025
Learning Outcomes: 

quiz 1

A 20 minute quiz on July 10, 2025, on readings, in class quiz, hard copy, multiple choice questions. 10% of final mark

return date: July 14


Assessment Task 2

Value: 10 %
Due Date: 16/07/2025
Learning Outcomes: 

quiz 2

A 20 minute quiz on July 14, 2025, on readings, in class quiz, hard copy, multiple choice questions. 10% of final mark

Return date: July 18

Assessment Task 3

Value: 20 %
Due Date: 18/07/2025
Learning Outcomes: 

class presentation

Class presentation based on work in progress for final paper. Presentation of topic, framework on analysis and sources. A 20 minute oral presentation with slides. 20% of final mark.

Presentations on July 18, 2025.

Assessment Task 4

Value: 10 %
Learning Outcomes: 

participation

Participation mark (10%) will be based on active participation in class discussions throughout the course.

Assessment Task 5

Value: 50 %
Due Date: 25/07/2025
Learning Outcomes: 

final paper

The final paper will be based on a travel narrative of choice, its analysis based on theoretical perspectives discussed in the course and the integration of relevant articles from the bibliography and on class discussions, lectures and guest lectures. Word count: 4000 for undergraduates and 5000 for postgraduate students. Submission as Word document, font 12, 1.5 spacing. Return date by August 11, 2025.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.


The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.


The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

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

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:


  • Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 5 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

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Student work will be returned via Canvas

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted 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.

Resubmission of Assignments

Students may not resubmit assignments.

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 Accessibility 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 supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
  • ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
  • ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students
AsPr Ronit Ricci
ronit.ricci@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Indonesian Studies, Javanese and Malay manuscript cultures, Translation Studies, Islamic literature

AsPr Ronit Ricci

By Appointment
Sunday
AsPr Ronit Ricci
ronit.ricci@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Indonesian Studies, Javanese and Malay manuscript cultures, Translation Studies, Islamic literature

AsPr Ronit Ricci

By Appointment
Sunday

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