This course focuses on developing independent research skills through a focus on major debates, lines of inquiry, and collaborative practices in Asian Studies. Organised around themes of culture, history, and language, the course explores productive tensions that arise at the intersection of area studies and academic disciplines. Students in the course will be provided with academic support to assemble a bespoke interdisciplinary toolkit that suits their own needs and aspirations. They will also be prepared to collaborate productively across the diversity of Asian Studies. The course conveners and academic mentors available to students include scholars with expertise in archaeology, history, anthropology, gender and cultural studies, linguistics, and literature and translation studies. The course will critically examine debates around concepts often taken for granted, such as how culture is defined, what counts as history, and how language makes meaning. Through critical engagement with such lines of inquiry, students will begin to participate actively in a multivocal and multidisciplinary Asian Studies and to consider the practical applications of their knowledge. Upon completion of the course, students will have the capacity to confidently question prevailing assumptions about data quality, researcher positionality, and the nature of expertise. They will be able to locate their specific research interests within broader intellectual traditions, converse effectively with colleagues across disciplines and areas, and consider how future directions for Asian Studies can respond to practical challenges.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate familiarity with a range of debates and investigations that have shaped Asian Studies in the fields of culture, history and language;
2. Apply critical thinking to participate in these debates and investigations with increasing independence, considering scholarly and applied contexts;
3. Collaborate effectively across the disciplinary and regional diversity of Asian Studies;
4. Construct an independent research project grounded in broad intellectual traditions and capable of engaging diverse audiences;
5. Communicate ideas at an advanced level through a range of written, oral, and/or multimedia forms.

Research-Led Teaching

This course draws upon expertise from across the School of Culture, History and Language to introduce you to lines of inquiry that shape multidisciplinary Asian Studies. You will have the opportunity to engage in dialogue and build networks with researchers from Anthropology; Gender, Media and Cultural Studies; Archaeology and Natural History; Pacific and Asian History; Linguistics; and Languages.

Examination Material or equipment

There is no final examination in this class.

Required Resources

Required readings will be available via Canvas and in-class materials for the Critical Thinking Portfolio will be provided.

Recommended Resources

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
• feedback to whole class
• peer feedback

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	Culture: In this first 4-week module, we explore debates around culture that have helped to shape Asian Studies. These lines of inquiry may include themes such as different ways of defining culture, what it means to decolonise the study of culture, and how cultures in Asia are transforming today. These weeks are informed by guest expertise from Anthropology and Gender, Media and Cultural Studies.Each week will also include workshop sessions on skills and practices relevant to course goals and upcoming assessments.	Discussion Leads (selected students)Critical Thinking Portfolio (weekly in-class contribution)Research Proposal
2	History:In this second 4-week module, we examine debates around history that inform Asian Studies in and from multinational contexts. Such debates may involve First Nations perspectives on the past, diverse cultural concepts of history, and differences in how "insiders" and "outsiders" approach Asia's complex past. These weeks are informed by guest expertise from Archaeology and History.Each week will also include workshop sessions on skills and practices relevant to course goals and upcoming assessments.	Discussion Leads (selected students)Critical Thinking Portfolio (weekly in-class contribution)Independent Research Essay
3	Language: In this final 4-week module, we examine debates relevant to Asian Studies around language. Such debates may include the role of preserving endangered languages, the politics of translation, and the role of language in helping to define ideas of Asia. These weeks are informed by guest expertise from Linguistics and Languages.Each week will also include workshop sessions on skills and practices relevant to course goals and upcoming assessments.	Discussion Leads (selected students)Critical Thinking Portfolio (weekly in-class contribution)Collaborative Project Pitch Video

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	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Discussion Lead	10 %	*	*	1, 2, 3, 5
Research Proposal	10 %	18/03/2026	30/03/2026	1, 2, 4, 5
Critical Thinking Portfolio	20 %	*	15/06/2026	1, 2, 5
Independent Research Essay	30 %	29/04/2026	20/05/2026	1, 2, 4, 5
Collaborative Project Pitch Video	30 %	03/06/2026	20/06/2026	1, 2, 3, 4, 5

* 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:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 ‘Canvas’ 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

Successful participation involves thorough reading and preparation, spoken class contributions, active listening to others, engagement with written, oral or multimedia class tasks, giving and receiving peer feedback, and contributing to an intellectually lively class environment. Selected assessment tasks are in-class only and cannot be completed outside class time without prior approval.

Examination(s)

There is no final examination in this class.

Assessment Task 1

Discussion Lead

Students will prepare questions to lead specific class discussions. These questions should demonstrate active critical thinking on course material, collaborative skills in conversing with colleagues across areas and disciplines, and a sense of autonomy as researchers. Details will be available on Canvas.

Assessment Task 2

Research Proposal

500-word proposal for an independent research essay in the field of Asian Studies. Details will be available on Canvas.

Word Count: The penalty is 2% for every 5% (or part thereof) by which the assignment exceeds 110% of the specified limit. For example: if the word limit is 3,000 words, then 110% = 3,300 words (x 5% = 165 words), so a 3,400-word essay — which exceeds this number by 100 words — will incur a penalty of 2%, while a 3,500-word essay — which exceeds this number by 200 words — will incur a penalty of 4%, etcetera.

The ANU College of Asia and the Pacific’s Word Length and Excess Word Penalty Guidelines applies to this assessment item and can be found here.

Assessment Task 3

Critical Thinking Portfolio

A weekly, in-class, hand-drawn page that reflects critical thinking on the content of the day's seminar. Details will be available on Canvas.

Assessment Task 4

Independent Research Essay

A 3000-word independent research essay, informed by the research proposal, on a topic in Asian Studies. Students should be prepared to discuss their research essay orally and to show the development of their ideas. Details will be available on Canvas.

Word Count: The penalty is 2% for every 5% (or part thereof) by which the assignment exceeds 110% of the specified limit. For example: if the word limit is 3,000 words, then 110% = 3,300 words (x 5% = 165 words), so a 3,400-word essay — which exceeds this number by 100 words — will incur a penalty of 2%, while a 3,500-word essay — which exceeds this number by 200 words — will incur a penalty of 4%, etcetera.

The ANU College of Asia and the Pacific’s Word Length and Excess Word Penalty Guidelines applies to this assessment item and can be found here.

Assessment Task 5

Collaborative Project Pitch Video

Students will work in small groups to construct an idea for a collaborative project in Asian Studies. They will pitch this project in a 7-minute video. Details will be available on Canvas.

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 not permitted for the Discussion Lead or Critical Thinking Portfolio. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted for the Research Proposal, Independent Research Essay, and Collaborative Project Pitch Video. 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 10 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.

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.

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