This course offers an interdisciplinary introduction to the Asia-Pacific region, encompassing its rich cultural, ecological, and political diversity. In the first half of the course, students will engage deeply with Indigenous Australian cultures, histories, and knowledge systems. Emphasis is placed on First Peoples’ perspectives – including the continuing significance of kinship, language, and connection to Country – and the agency of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in pursuing cultural autonomy and resurgence. The second half of the course broadens the scope to examine key factors shaping the Asia-Pacific region, including histories and ongoing transformations driven by colonialism, post-colonialism, capitalism, and globalisation. Through a relational ontological lens, students will investigate how these forces manifest across national and local contexts and their impacts on landscapes, livelihoods, and identities. Specific topics include treaties and policymaking, urbanisation, agrarian change, development discourse, democracy, power and resistance, nation-making, diaspora communities, and multiculturalism.
ASIA1030 is one of two core foundational courses in the Bachelor of Asian Studies program. No prior knowledge of Asia or the Pacific is required, making it suitable for students seeking to deepen their understanding of the region or explore the influence of global forces through relational and diplomatic perspectives in Asian and Pacific contexts. The course combines critical discussion of key regional themes with case studies presented by a diverse range of experts, including leading academics and Traditional Owners from across Australia, who share their knowledge through lectures and interactive sessions. Through interdisciplinary engagement and respectful, informed dialogue, students will develop foundational conceptual and analytical tools and an enhanced capacity for cultural sensitivity and self-awareness, enabling them to navigate complex political and cultural situations with empathy and insight.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Understand and value the diversity of experience in Asia, the Pacific, and Indigenous Australia, especially in ways that promote independent lifelong learning from and with these regions.
- Develop an awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives on Australian history, connection to Country, and contemporary life.
- Examine modern discourses centring Indigenous Australian history, cultures, languages, and ongoing relations to the broader Asia-Pacific region.
- Demonstrate, both orally and in writing, how concepts and methods from the humanities and social sciences can be applied to the analysis of Asia and the Pacific, while incorporating Indigenous analytical perspectives.
- Analyse modern transformations within Asia and the Pacific, including Australia, by drawing upon research, making a coherent argument, using a logical structure and method, and showing correct use of scholarly citation.
- Develop self-reflective awareness, critical thinking, independent judgment, and effective communication through a range of written, oral, and multimedia forms, both individually and in groups.
Indicative Assessment
- Tutorial Participation (10) [LO 1,2,3,5,6]
- Research note: 500 words (excluding bibliography) (20) [LO 1,2,3,5,6]
- Research essay: 2000 words (excluding bibliography) (35) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- Group presentation: 300-word written reflection (15) [LO 1,2,5,6]
- Final Multimedia Project: The script is equivalent to a 2500-word essay (20) [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 130 hours, including class time and self-study.
Prescribed Texts
All required materials will be available on Canvas.
Preliminary Reading
All required materials will be available on Canvas.
Assumed Knowledge
Completion of ASIA1025 is recommended but not required. This course assumes no background knowledge.Majors
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 |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $4500 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $5820 |
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.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8512 | 27 Jul 2026 | 03 Aug 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 | In Person | N/A |