ASIA 3007 - Beyond Asian Ecological Crises

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2020

How can we overcome ecological crises in Asia? This course explores this question by focusing on China and Japan, the second and the third largest economies in the world, as their experiences are key for dealing with major socio-environmental issues, such as global warming and nuclear catastrophes. The main point of reference though is Japan. It became the world's second largest economy in the 1960s, until overtaken by China in 2011, the year of the Fukushima disaster. The social and ecological devastation caused by this nuclear catastrophe suggests that we are at a significant crossroad for rethinking the relationship between development and the environment, or rather, between humankind and nature. What can we learn from Japan's experience of intense modernisation to overcome and avert further ecological crises in China and beyond? Topics such as energy, agriculture, construction, education, employment, spiritual heritage, and urban-rural relationships, both in Japan and China will be examined. Not only the political economy of each country but also grassroots responses to socio-environmental crises will be used to analyse whether we have an adequate theoretical and philosophical foundation to rethink the human-nature nexus. The role Australia can play will also be discussed. The course is useful for students doing International Studies, Asian Studies, Japanese Studies, Chinese Studies, Development Studies, Media Studies, Environmental Policy and Management, International Business, Education and Law, as well as Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Social Sciences.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ASIA 3007
    Course Beyond Asian Ecological Crises
    Coordinating Unit Asian Studies
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites At least 6 units of Level II undergraduate study
    Incompatible ASIA 2025
    Course Description How can we overcome ecological crises in Asia? This course explores this question by focusing on China and Japan, the second and the third largest economies in the world, as their experiences are key for dealing with major socio-environmental issues, such as global warming and nuclear catastrophes. The main point of reference though is Japan. It became the world's second largest economy in the 1960s, until overtaken by China in 2011, the year of the Fukushima disaster. The social and ecological devastation caused by this nuclear catastrophe suggests that we are at a significant crossroad for rethinking the relationship between development and the environment, or rather, between humankind and nature. What can we learn from Japan's experience of intense modernisation to overcome and avert further ecological crises in China and beyond?
    Topics such as energy, agriculture, construction, education, employment, spiritual heritage, and urban-rural relationships, both in Japan and China will be examined. Not only the political economy of each country but also grassroots responses to socio-environmental crises will be used to analyse whether we have an adequate theoretical and philosophical foundation to rethink the human-nature nexus. The role Australia can play will also be discussed.
    The course is useful for students doing International Studies, Asian Studies, Japanese Studies, Chinese Studies, Development Studies, Media Studies, Environmental Policy and Management, International Business, Education and Law, as well as Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Social Sciences.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Shoko Yoneyama

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 have a broad, coherent and in-depth knowledge on the structural issues relating to the economic development and the environmental/ecological crisis in (East) Asia. 
    2 be able to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise data from a wide variety of sources, including databases specific to Asian Studies.
    3 have the skills to write research reports of publication standard.
    4 have an ability to suggest creative and innovative solutions to issues relating to the ecological crisis in the context of the Asian Century.
    5 develop high order skills in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication, with particular strengths in transcultural and interdisciplinary communication.
    6 be proficient in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies in research, writing, communication and presentation.
    7 be aware of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context.
    8 be autonomous, critical and creative thinkers, able to work as professionals in relevant fields relating to Asia, equipped with the knowledge and skills listed above.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1 2 3 4 7 8
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    2 3 4 7 8
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    4 5 6 8
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    3 4 5 6 7 8
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    5 7 8
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    5 8
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Students are expected to use Myuni and undertake out of class work as well as use the course reading materials provided.

    MyUni and Turnitin will be used for assignment, submission, and marking.


  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    No information currently available.

    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    1 x 1-hour lectures per week  12 hours per semester
    1 x 2-hour workshop per week 24 hours per semester
    6 hours reading per week 72 hours per semester
    2 hours research per week 24 hours per semester
    2 hours assignment preparation per week 24 hours per semester
    Total 156 hours
    Learning Activities Summary
    Lecture topics (provisional)

    Week 1   Nuclear crisis: World risk society Japan
    Week 2   The Anthropocene
    Week 3   The question of core and periphery
    Week 4   Industrial pollution: Minamata – the question of modernity
    Week 5   Animism: Nature, life & soul
    Week 6   Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) 
    Week 7   Youth and the question of sustainability
    Week 8   The question of food
    Week 9   Post-industrial super-aging society
    Week 10 Asian Century: Australia’s significance for a sustainable Asia
    Week 11 Conclusion
    Week 12 Research Consultation



  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Task Type Due Weighting Learning Outcome
    Workshop Contribution: Self-assessment Formative & Summative Weekly 10% 5
    Notebook submission Formative & Summative Week 14 10% 1 2 7 8
    Reflection paper (1000 words) on any topic introduced in weeks 1-4 Formative & Summative Week 5 20% 1 2 6 7
    Research outline (Presentation) Formative & Summative Weeks 7-12 10% 2 4 6 8
    Research Essay: 2500-3000 words Summative Week 14 50% 1 2 4 5 6 7
    Due to the current COVID-19 situation modified arrangements have been made to assessments to facilitate remote learning and teaching. Assessment details provided here reflect recent updates.

    Assessment Task Weighting
    Online (Zoom) workshop activities 5%
    Notebook Submission 15%
    Reflection Paper (1,000 words)  20%
    Research Proposal  10%
    Research Essay (2,500-3,000 words) 50%
    Assessment Detail

    No information currently available.

    Submission

    No information currently available.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

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