How do stories grip people's imaginations and shape their lives? How do stories link tellers and listeners, claim status, encode values, sacralize the status quo, and also inspire change by providing imaginative alternatives? How are stories transformed through expression in different media, at different historical moments, and the goals of scholars? This two week intensive course explores traditions of storytelling, both oral and written, in South and Southeast Asia. Studying the social and historical life of stories, the course provides ways to think about region, gender, religion, social movements, the impact of mass media, and cultural continuities in diaspora. The course also offers methods for identifying, recording, transcribing, writing up and interpreting such genres as folktales, legends, myths, epics, oral histories, family stories, and life histories. While readings will draw largely on South and Southeast Asian materials, the research project may apply these insights and methods to narratives from elsewhere in Asia or the Pacific.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Engage with Asia, particularly South and Southeast Asia, through its diversity of narrative traditions
- Display an understanding of the basic coordinates of cultural diversity in South and Southeast Asia, in relation to multiple versions of stories
- Use theories of narrative and translation to identify continuity and change in the way stories are told and retold across time and place
- Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively
- Communicate knowledge about Asia through narratives and their analysis.
Staff Feedback
Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:- Written comments
- Verbal comments
- Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups
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). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.Class Schedule
Week/Session | Summary of Activities | Assessment |
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1 | Introduction: Stories and Storytelling in South & Southeast Asia | Recorded Lectures and Course Preparation Readings |
2 | The Mahabharata, Multiplicity, & Epic Women | Seminar Discussion, Guest Speaker, and Readings |
3 | Hindu & Buddhist Pilgrimage Narratives | Seminar Discussion, Guest Speaker, and Readings |
4 | The Qissah/Dastan Tradition in Persian & Urdu | Seminar Discussion, Guest Speaker, and Readings |
5 | Indian Performance, Drama, and Film | Seminar Discussion and Readings |
6 | Narratives of Partition in India, Pakistan, & Bangladesh | Seminar Discussion and Readings |
7 | Modern Burmese Narrative Literature | Seminar Discussion, Guest Speaker, and Readings |
8 | Ghost Stories and Gender in Thailand | Seminar Discussion, Guest Speaker, and Readings |
9 | Southeast Asian Migrant Workers' Literature | Seminar Discussion, Guest Speaker, and Readings |
Assessment Summary
Assessment task | Value | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|
Questions | 10 % | 1, 2, 3 |
Short Written Assignment | 20 % | 1,2, 4, 5 |
Video Presentation | 20 % | 1, 2, 3, 5 |
Final Essay | 40 % | 1,2,3,5 |
Participation | 10 % | 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 Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:- Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
- Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
- Student Surveys and Evaluations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
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 ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.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.Assessment Task 1
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3
Questions
TWO questions (100 words each) posted to the designated online discussion space to be submitted for assessment and later presented during the class seminar discussion. At the beginning of the course, students will be assigned to one or more class sessions for which they will be responsible to share these questions with other students and start off our discussions. Questions should be designed to draw other students into discussion and to enhance participation and continuity by (1) looking back to last class and (2) looking forward to readings on assigned day.
Due 11:55 pm the night before the day you will have signed up for.
Assessment Task 2
Learning Outcomes: 1,2, 4, 5
Short Written Assignment
A written analysis of approximately 800 words of a story adaptation (a written re-telling, graphic novel, film, cartoon, oral storytelling, etc.) of a story tradition covered in this class. Students will focus on the ways the story was adapted and re-envisioned for it's intended audience. Students will select/be assigned a specific story/tradition to investigate.
Due: Sunday, 31 July 2022 by 11:55pm in Wattle
Assessment Task 3
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 5
Video Presentation
10 minute recorded video presentation on the topic, interpretative frames and background scholarship to be used for final assignment. This is meant to be in preparation for the final written assignment
Due: Sunday, 7 August 2022 by 11:55pm in Wattle
Assessment Task 4
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,5
Final Essay
Final essay presenting and interpreting an story-tradition previously selected by the student.. The essay should have a central thesis, make explicit use of concepts from class readings and discussions, and contain a bibliography. This final essay will be 1500 words (not including bibliography).
Due: Friday, 19 August 2022 by 11:55pm in Wattle through Turnitin.
Assessment Task 5
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4,5
Participation
Active and informed participation in class and online discussions with evidence of active preparation. Proper preparation requires students to read all assigned required readings and/or watching pre-recorded materials.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.Online Submission
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.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
No submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date will be permitted. If an assessment task is not submitted by the due date, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
Referencing Requirements
Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.Extensions and Penalties
Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions 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 Diversity and inclusion 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 and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
- ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
- ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
- PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students
Convener
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Research InterestsPremodern North Indian Languages and Literature, Hindu Studies, Textual and Oral Literatures, Poetry & Performance |
Christopher Diamond
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Instructor
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Research Interests |
Christopher Diamond
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