The Asian Studies Major trains students in the analytical skills and place -based knowledges that will enable them to contribute positively to the political, social, economic and environmental needs of the Asia-Pacific region in diverse careers and over the long term. Asian Studies students develop links with the cultures and societies of the Asian region through the study of the historical, cultural, social and political structures that have shaped the region. With low student-teacher ratios, high rates of student satisfaction, and an emphasis on critical and reflective thinking, the Major is aligned with the ANU's goal of 'delivering a student experience equal to the world best' and our National Mission to engage Asia, Asian populations, and Asian perspectives.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify the process by which knowledge about Asia is produced, circulated, and applied.
- Develop and apply critical thinking skills to analyse major trends in Asia within regional and global comparative frameworks.
- Understand theoretical frameworks and research techniques in humanities and social sciences relevant to the study of Asia, emphasising the importance of theoretically engaged critical area studies in challenging conservative trends in academia.
- Evaluate ideas and develop creative solutions to problems, including through independent pursuit of knowledge and making connections between different disciplinary approaches and methods.
- Continuously engage in learning about Asia, drawing knowledge from and with Asia to foster ongoing understanding of the region
Other Information
Note that this Major is not available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Asian Studies.
Relevant Degrees
Requirements
The Asian Studies Major requires the completion of 48 units, which must include:
24 units from the following compulsory courses:
ASIA1025 Asia and the Pacific: power, diversity and change
ASIA1030 Asia and the Pacific in motion
ASIA1999 The Origins of Political Order in Asia
ASIA3029 Reconciliation and the Memory of Conflict in Asia
A minimum of 6 units from the following area-focused courses:
ASIA3030 History of the State System in SEA
ASIA3033 Rethinking Northeast Asia
A maximum of 12 units of the following contextual courses:
ASIA2001 Language in Asia and the Pacific
ASIA2009 The Making of Modern Japan: From Samurai to Economic Superpower and Beyond
ASIA2017 History of International Relations in Northeast Asia
ASIA2040 The Making of Modern Korea
ASIA2041 Mainland Southeast Asia: Colonial and Postcolonial Predicaments
ASIA2065 Asian Politics: From Concepts to Causes
ASIA2067 Asian Economies
ASIA2037 History of Modern China
ASIA2103 Language in Asia and the Pacific (L)
ASIA2118 Pollution in past societies: the science and history that shaped the modern world
ASIA2120 Colonialism and the Rule of Law
ASIA2222 Taiwanese Society and Politics
ASIA2271 The Making of South Asia
ASIA2301 Human Migration and Expansion in the Rise of the Asia-Pacific
ASIA2302 Culture and Modernity in Asia: Anthropological Perspectives
ASIA2304 What is Literature? Asian Perspectives
ASIA2307 History of Empire in Asia
ASIA2311 Gender and Cultural Studies in Asia and the Pacific
ASIA2516 Indonesia: Politics, Society and Development
INTR2010 International Relations in the Asia-Pacific
STST2001 Security Concepts in the Asia-Pacific
A minimum of 6 units from the following advanced courses
ASIA3011 Samurai Society and Social Control in Japan
ASIA3021 Engaging Asia: Australia and the Asian Century
ASIA3023 Asia Pacific Week Internship
ASIA3027 Issues in Japanese Policy in their Global Context
ASIA3031 Cultures in Korean Society
ASIA3032 Digital Asia: Technology and Society
ASIA3034 The Contemporary Chinese World: From Mao to Now
ASIA3040 Literary and Cultural Discourse in Modern Japan
ASIA3272 Truth and Falsity in Indian Politics and History
INTR3002 Global Governance in the Asia Pacific
12 units from completion of the following course(s):
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ASIA1025 | Asia and the Pacific: Power, diversity and change | 6 |
| ASIA1030 | Asia and the Pacific in Motion | 6 |
36 units from completion of the following course(s):
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 2135: Vietnam Field School | ||
| ANTH 3014: Indonesia Field School | ||
| ARCH2050 | Archaeology of Southeast Asia | 6 |
| ARCH 2600: Archaeology of Buddhism | ||
| ARTH 2056: Art & Arch of SE Asia | ||
| ARTV 2053: Contemporary Asian Art | ||
| ASIA2001 | Language in Asia and the Pacific | 6 |
| ASIA2016 | The Mongol Empire in World History | 6 |
| ASIA 2020: Engaging Asia | ||
| ASIA2026 | The Politics of China | 6 |
| ASIA2031 | Japanese Politics | 6 |
| ASIA2037 | History of Modern China | 6 |
| ASIA 2045: Lies, Conspiracy, Propaganda | ||
| ASIA2049 | Politics and Society in Contemporary Korea | 6 |
| ASIA 2055: Music & Society Korea | ||
| ASIA2058 | Japanese Popular Culture: Manga, Anime, Film & the Visual Arts | 6 |
| ASIA2065 | Asia’s Changing Politics in Comparative Perspective | 6 |
| ASIA 2070: Democracy in Southeast Asia | ||
| ASIA 2071: Other Chinas | ||
| ASIA2074 | Popular Culture in East Asia | 6 |
| ASIA 2082: SEA Landscapes of Power | ||
| ASIA 2085: Southeast Asian History | ||
| RELS 1003: Introduction to Asian Religion | ||
| ASIA 2108: Popular Cultures in Indonesia | ||
| ASIA2270 | India Past and Present: The impact of pre-colonial history on India today | 6 |
| ASIA2271 | The Making of South Asia | 6 |
| ASIA3272 | Truth and Falsity in Indian History and Politics | 6 |
| ASIA 2273: Revns Rebel & Reform in India | ||
| ASIA2366 | Foundations of Chinese Culture | 6 |
| ASIA2516 | Indonesia: Politics, Society and Development | 6 |
| ASIA 2517: Indonesia: Language, Media | ||
| ASIA3012 | Readings in Asian Societies and Histories | 6 |
| ASIA 3014: Southeast Asian Frontiers | ||
| GEND 2031: Cinema in Southeast Asia | ||
| INTR2010 | International Relations in the Asia-Pacific | 6 |
| INTR2024 | The Politics of Nuclear Weapons | 6 |
| SOCY 2061: Contemporary Chinese Society | ||
| STST2001 | Security Concepts in the Asia-Pacific | 6 |
| STST 2002: Internal Security |