ASIA 3018 - Key Issues in Asian Studies

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2022

Key Issues in Asian Studies will be the capstone course for the Asian Studies major and focus on the major theoretical and practical issues and problems in Asian Studies as a discipline. The role of theory, both broadly and narrowly understood, in the social sciences and in Asian Studies in particular, will be clarified and their application to specific issues explained. The ways that theory informs methodologies will be discussed in weekly seminars and case studies used to illustrate various ways of approaching an issue. Research skills will be central with students taught how to relate theoretical material to methodological approaches with an eye on preparing them for a research plan and project. Common ethical and intercultural issues which can arise in the course of research will be examined and the resultant dilemmas debated. Ultimately, students will be expected to undertake a substantial research project through which to demonstrate their research and analytical skills and how well they can apply a given theoretical understanding and methodology to a set problem.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ASIA 3018
    Course Key Issues in Asian Studies
    Coordinating Unit Asian Studies
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week x 8 weeks, followed by guided research project with research meetings
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites At least 15 units of Asian Studies Major courses
    Incompatible ASIA 3100
    Assumed Knowledge Asian language background is desirable but not compulsory
    Restrictions Available to students undertaking an Asian Studies Major only
    Course Description Key Issues in Asian Studies will be the capstone course for the Asian Studies major and focus on the major theoretical and practical issues and problems in Asian Studies as a discipline. The role of theory, both broadly and narrowly understood, in the social sciences and in Asian Studies in particular, will be clarified and their application to specific issues explained. The ways that theory informs methodologies will be discussed in weekly seminars and case studies used to illustrate various ways of approaching an issue. Research skills will be central with students taught how to relate theoretical material to methodological approaches with an eye on preparing them for a research plan and project. Common ethical and intercultural issues which can arise in the course of research will be examined and the resultant dilemmas debated. Ultimately, students will be expected to undertake a substantial research project through which to demonstrate their research and analytical skills and how well they can apply a given theoretical understanding and methodology to a set problem.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Mobo Chang Fan Gao

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    No information currently available.

    University Graduate Attributes

    No information currently available.

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    No information currently available.

    Workload

    No information currently available.

    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

  • 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
    Participation in disucssion 10%
    Seminar reports 6 x 500 words 20% (book review of six books)
    Research plan presentation including annotated bibliography 20% (oral presentation of your plan for the research project to the class
    Research project (5,000-6,000 words) 50% (summary essay of the project)

    Modified arrangements have been made to assessments and the details provided here reflect recent updates.
    1. Participation - no longer assessed.
    2. Seminar reports - now 30% weighting.
    3. Research plan presentation - now 30% weighting.
    4. Research project - now 40% weighting.
    Assessment Detail
    Book Reviews: 500 words for each X 6

    Summary of the book 20%
    Strong points about the book 20%
    Shortcomings of the book 20%
    Recommended reading audience and why 10%
    Related to the literature in the field 30%

    Research Plan Presentation (15 minutes maximum)

    Clear aims of the research 10%
    Reference to the literature 20%
    Research methods 20%
    Research problem 20%
    Hypothesis/argument/ theme 20%
    Bibliography 10%

    Research Project Summary Essay

    structure 10%
    logic and coherence 10%
    argument/theme 20%
    evidence/substantiation 20%
    method 20%
    referencing 20%

    Participation in discussion

    This is an important opportunity for learning the skills of listening to others, to udnerstand different views and then to present one's own view in a group
    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.

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  • Policies & Guidelines
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