Mongolia has a deep historical memory and cultural tradition but today’s Mongolia presents a new face to the international community as a successful post-socialist democracy and as one of the world’s largest commodity exporters. Mining has boosted the national economy but at a heavy sacrifice to surrounding ecology and local herding communities. Over two weeks of field study, students will witness firsthand the challenges that Mongolia faces through in-class lectures and language lessons; interaction with local community, mining and industry stakeholders; visits to sites of global historical and heritage importance; and aspects of unique nomadic cultural practices. Themes include environment, energy, cultural heritage, community health and infrastructure. Students will investigate the true cost of economic growth on the environmental, cultural and historic fabric of Mongolia – a nation caught between globalisation and ancient ways of life.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Describe the current challenges of Mongolia from a cultural and historical perspective
- Discuss the tension between nomadic culture and sedentary industrial development and a growing capitalist economy
- Comprehend the historical, economic and political underpinnings of Mongolia's domestic politics, national identity and national security
- Better analyse situations based on empirical data through on-the-ground field research
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate cross-cultural analysis effectively to a general audience
Work Integrated Learning
Fieldwork
This field-based activity offers you first-hand experience in understanding a wide range of concepts, to develop skills in observation, critical thinking and analysis, and applying that knowledge to a wider audience through different modes of communication.
Other Information
Must have completed 36 units of university courses
Students are required to participate in a competitive selection process to gain access to this course. click http://anu-au-sa.terradotta.com/ for more information.
Indicative Assessment
- Literature Review: annotated (1000-1500 words) (20) [LO 1,2,3,5]
- Contribution to learning while in-country (10) [LO 1,2,3,5]
- Notes from the field: excerpts from fieldnotes/journal (1500-2000 words) (30) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Blog posts: 4 short essays (400-600 words each, or up to 2400 words in total) (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
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
130 hours of class time and self-study.
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the School of Culture History and Language to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
There is no prescribed text but some references are noted here and a longer list is available on Wattle.
Preliminary Reading
Reading materials will be identified via the course Wattle site. The ANU libraries have an extensive collection of books relating to Mongolia, particularly the Menzies Library.
Abrams-Kavunenko, Saskia Enlightenment and the Gasping City: Mongolian Buddhism at a time of environmental disarray (2019) Available Online.
Baabar, B., and C. Kaplonski, Twentieth Century Mongolia, Folkestone: Global Oriental (2005). Menzies: DS798.75.B3313 2005
Bayandelger, Manduhai Tragic Spirits: shamanism, gender and identity in contemporary Mongolia (2013) Available online.
Bruun, Ole and Li Narangoa, Mongols from Country to City : floating boundaries, pastoralism and city life in the Mongol lands Copenhagen: NIAS (2006) Menzies: DS798.75 .M66 2006
Bulag, Uradyn Erden Nationalism and Hybridity in Mongolia (1998) Menzies: DS19 .B85 1998
Christian, David A History of Russia, Central Asia and Mongolia Oxford: Blackwell (1998). Chifley: DK40 .C49 1998
Empson, Rebecca Harnessing Fortune: personhood, memory and place in northeastern Mongolia (2011) Menzies DS798.4.E47 2011.
Endicott, Elizabeth A History of Land use in Mongolia: Thirteenth Century to the Present (2012). Available online.
High, Mette Fear and Fortune: spirit worlds and emerging economies in the Mongolian gold rush (2017) Available Online
Fijn, Natasha, Living with Herds: Human-Animal Coexistence in Mongolia, Cambridge and New York: Cambridge University Press (2011). Hard copy in library and available online
Heissig, Walther The Religions of Mongolia London: Routledge And Kegan Paul (1980). Menzies: BL2370.M7.H312
Hibbert, Reginald, and Ann Hibbert, 'Letters from Mongolia', Anonymous Translator, New York and London: Radcliffe (2005). Menzies: DS798.2 H53 2005
Humphrey, Caroline and Hurelbaatar, Ujeed A Monastery in Time: the making of Mongolian Buddhism (2013) Available online.
Humphrey, Caroline and Onon, Urgunge Shamans and Elders: experience, knowledge and power among the Daur Mongols Menzies BL2370.S5H86 1996.
Assumed Knowledge
No prior knowledge of Mongolia or Mongolian is required. Students planning to take this course are encouraged to take Mongolian language (MNGL1002) and/or culture and history courses.
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 |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $4080 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $5280 |
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.
Winter Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6390 | 30 May 2024 | 30 May 2024 | 05 Jul 2024 | 10 Aug 2024 | In Person | N/A |
