Storytelling is a fundamental part of the human experience. People of all cultures tell stories to interpret, understand, and explain their experiences of being human. Storytellers and their audiences claim identity and status, encode their values, sacralise worldviews and imagine alternative ways of being through narratives: stories shape lives and cultures. Through studying the narrative traditions of the interconnected regions of South and Southeast Asia, we will think about how stories are used to interpret and create cultural ideas of geography, religion, gender, social identity, and much more. In this two-week intensive course (with follow up research assessments), students will learn to interpret and analyse narrative traditions from a wide variety of sources (folktales, legends, myths, epics, oral histories, film/television, online media, etc.). While we focus on South and Southeast Asian sources in English translation, the skills and techniques learned in this course can be used to understand cultures globally and provide invaluable tools for anyone seeking to understand cultural identities in the contemporary world.  

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Engage with South and Southeast Asia by understanding the internal cultural diversities of these interconnected regions, especially in relation to multiple versions of story traditions in these regions.
2. Use narrative and translation theories to identify modes of continuity and change in the way stories are told and retold across time and place
3. Analyse cultural traditions through techniques of narrative critique.
4. Work collaboratively to develop robust research questions and discussions.
5. Demonstrate the ability to develop and communicate an original research project through multiple modes (writing, presenting, multimedia, etc.) about Asia through the analysis of narrative.

Required Resources

• Most Readings will be provided for students in Wattle as assigned.
• 1 Book is required for the pre-seminar week period and will be referenced throughout the course:
• Sattar, Arshia. 2016. Ramayana. Penguin. (eBook is recommended for getting in time for course )

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
1	Unit 1: Multiplicity & Authority in Indian Epic traditions	Seminar Readings & Discussion Preparation
2	Unit 2: Gods, Demons, and Warriors - the Cosmology of the Ramaya?a	Seminar Readings & Discussion Preparation
3	Unit 3: Dharma and Karma - The Ethics of the Ramaya?a	Seminar Readings & Discussion Preparation
4	Unit 4: 'Epic' Epic Women	Seminar Readings & Discussion PreparationAssessment Items Short Essay -due: 5:00pm, Monday, 15 July 2024
5	Unit 5: Marginalisation and Opposition in Ramaya?a traditions	Seminar Readings & Discussion Preparation
6	Unit 6: The Ramaya?a Traditions in Southeast Asia	Seminar Readings & Discussion Preparation
7	Unit 7: The Ramaya?a Tradition & Contemporary Politics	Seminar Readings & Discussion Preparation
8	Unit 8: The Ramaya?a Tradition in Film & Television	Seminar Readings & Discussion Preparation
9	Post-Seminar Course Assessment Period	Assessment Items Video Presentation - due: 5:00pm, Thursday, 26 July 2024 Final Project - due: 5:00pm, Friday, 2 August 2024

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Seminar Question & Discussion Leading	10 %	*	1, 2, 3
Short Written Assignment	20 %	15/07/2024	1,2, 4, 5
Video Presentation	20 %	26/07/2024	1, 2, 3, 5
Final Essay	40 %	02/08/2024	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

Seminar Question & Discussion Leading

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

Short Written Assignment

A written analysis of approximately 800 words on a choice of thematic essay topics to be provided for further investigation and in preparation for final assessment tasks.

Due: due: 5:00pm, Monday, 15 July 2024

Assessment Task 3

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: 5:00pm, Thursday, 26 July 2024

Assessment Task 4

Final Essay

Final project presenting and interpreting some aspect of the Ramayana tradition chosen by the student in consultation with the convenor. 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: 5:00pm, Friday, 2 August 2024

Assessment Task 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