This course is an introduction to Asia and the Pacific: regions of extraordinary natural and cultural diversity. We will explore some of the major forces and dynamics shaping the region, and how these are experienced across national and local contexts. We begin by asking what it means to study Asia and the Pacific, developing our own approach throughout the semester. We examine people's interactions with their environment and the changes to urban and agrarian landscapes and livelihoods, before investigating the dynamics of power and resistance, processes of nation-making and contemporary political forms. The course will encompass both discussion of big questions around these themes, as well as case studies presented by some of the most distinguished ANU experts on Asia and the Pacific. Students will have the opportunity to engage with Indigenous knowledges.  

 

Asia and the Pacific: Power, diversity and change is one of two required foundational courses for the Bachelor of Asian Studies degree. It is also highly suitable for students from other programs who would like to build their understanding of Asia and the Pacific region, or to understand global forces through an Asian and Pacific perspective. 

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental issues and themes relevant to Asia and the Pacific
2. Evaluate different theoretical and methodological perspectives for analysing Asia and the Pacific
3. Articulate their own approach to knowledge of Asia and the Pacific
4. Demonstrate core research skills, including critical reading of scholarly texts, university-level writing and academic presentation.

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	Studying Asia and the Pacific: Locating and defining	In-person. The first lecture includes an introduction to the course content and structure. In-person lectures are recorded and accessible through the course Wattle site.
2	Studying Asia and the Pacific: Approaches to	In-person. In-person lectures are recorded and accessible through the course Wattle site.
3	Forces: Colonialism	In-person. In-person lectures are recorded and accessible through the course Wattle site.
4	Forces: Post-colonialism and Decolonization	Pre-recorded lecture accessible through the course Wattle site. Assessment due: Workbook reflections (weeks 1-4) due on 14 March.
5	Forces: Capitalism and Neoliberalism	In-person. In-person lectures are recorded and accessible through the course Wattle site.
6	People & Places: Agrarian Asia and the Pacific	In-person. In-person lectures are recorded and accessible through the course Wattle site.
7	People & Places: Urban Asia and the Pacific	In-person. In-person lectures are recorded and accessible through the course Wattle site. Assessment due: Group podcast due on 18 April.
8	People & Places: Development	In-person. In-person lectures are recorded and accessible through the course Wattle site.
9	The (re)making of nations: Nation-states and Nationalism	In-person. In-person lectures are recorded and accessible through the course Wattle site.
10	The (re)making of nations: Democracy and Populism	In-person. In-person lectures are recorded and accessible through the course Wattle site. Assessment due: Essay due on 9 May.
11	The (re)making of nations: Migration and Diaspora	In-person. In-person lectures are recorded and accessible through the course Wattle site.
12	Studying Asia and the Pacific: Locating Self	In-person. In-person lectures are recorded and accessible through the course Wattle site.Assessment due: Workbook reflections (Weeks 5-12) due on Friday 24 May.

Tutorial Registration

See the course Wattle site for tutorial registration.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Workbook reflections	10 %	14/03/2024	28/03/2024	1,2,3
Workbook reflections	30 %	24/05/2024	07/06/2024	1,2,3
Group Assessment Podcast	20 %	18/04/2024	02/05/2024	1,2,3,4
Essay	30 %	09/05/2024	23/05/2024	1,2,3,4
Participation	10 %	24/05/2024	07/06/2024	1,2,3,

* 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.

Participation

An evaluation of participation is included in Assessment Task 5.

Assessment Task 1

Workbook reflections

Reflect on the course content for each week (lectures and readings) in respect to your own learning. Weeks 1-4. Length: 200-300 words per week.

Assessment Task 2

Workbook reflections

Reflect on the course content for each week (lectures and readings) in respect to your own learning. Weeks 5-12. Length: 200-300 words per week.

Assessment Task 3

Group Assessment Podcast

In groups, record a conversational podcast on one of the concepts explored in weeks 3-5. Length: 10-15 minutes

Assessment Task 4

Essay

Write a 1500 - 2000 word essay on one of the questions provided on Wattle

Assessment Task 5

Participation

You will receive a mark for your participation in tutorial classes

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

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

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 all ANU students