ASIA 3007 - Asia Beyond Climate Change

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

How can we adapt to climate change? Can Asia contribute to solve this existential crisis? Asia Beyond Climate Change explores these questions by focusing on China and Japan, the world's second and the third largest economies. Their experiences of modernisation have a lot to offer when reconsidering the meaning of development and questions of sustainability. Focus of this course is Japan. What does Japan's 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis signify, and what can we learn from this experience? How is it relevant to climate change? The course examines a wide range of relevant topics including energy, agriculture, construction, education, youth, ageing population, and urban-rural relationships using a sociological approach. In particular, we examine how people respond to socio-ecological issues at the grassroots (e.g. Minamata), and how the intangible cultural heritage has contributed to new theoretical and philosophical reconsiderations of human-nature relationships (critical/postmodern animism). The role of China will be crucial to the world and so is Australia's. We examine the relevance of Japan's experience for these countries. The course is useful for students doing Japanese Studies, Chinese Studies, International Relations, International Development, 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 Asia Beyond Climate Change
    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 adapt to climate change? Can Asia contribute to solve this existential crisis? Asia Beyond Climate Change explores these questions by focusing on China and Japan, the world's second and the third largest economies. Their experiences of modernisation have a lot to offer when reconsidering the meaning of development and questions of sustainability. Focus of this course is Japan. What does Japan's 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis signify, and what can we learn from this experience? How is it relevant to climate change? The course examines a wide range of relevant topics including energy, agriculture, construction, education, youth, ageing population, and urban-rural relationships using a sociological approach. In particular, we examine how people respond to socio-ecological issues at the grassroots (e.g. Minamata), and how the intangible cultural heritage has contributed to new theoretical and philosophical reconsiderations of human-nature relationships (critical/postmodern animism). The role of China will be crucial to the world and so is Australia's. We examine the relevance of Japan's experience for these countries. The course is useful for students doing Japanese Studies, Chinese Studies, International Relations, International Development, 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)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1 2 3 4 7 8

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    2 3 4 7 8

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    4 5 6 8

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    3 4 5 6 7 8

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1 3 4

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    1 2 4 7 8

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    6

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    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
    Lecture and workshop discussions and activities
    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
    Notebook Formative & Summative Week 14 20% 1-7
    Reflection paper Formative & Summative Week 5 20% 1 2 6 7
    Research proposal Formative & Summative Weeks 7-11 10% 2 4 6 8
    Research Essay Summative Week 14 50% 1 2 4 5 6 7

    Assessment Detail
    1. NOTEBOOK (20%)

    Workshops provide crucial academic and social benefits for university study. The Notebook Assignment provides a structure to guide your preparation for the workshops so you can fully engage in the discussions and activities. Notebooks can be hardcopy or digital, and will be assessed based on: 1) Indications of weekly learning as reflected in the Notebook structure and consistent weekly entries, 2) Evidence of personal and critical reflective thinking, 3) Regular contribution to class discussions based on the Notebook notes and reflections. For further details, see 'Notebook' under the 'Assignments' tab on MyUni.

    2. REFLECTION PAPER (20%)

    1,000 words, online submission with Turnitin. Write a reflection paper on any topic examined in the course during Weeks 1-5. The aim of this assignment is to connect with the topic academically as well as at a personal and subjective level. You may use it as the starting basis for your major Research Essay. For further details, see ‘Reflection Paper’ under the 'Assignments' tab on MyUni.

    3. RESEARCH PROPOSAL (10%)

    Step 1: Decide your research topic in consultation with the coordinator before Week 6 (compulsory). Step 2: Submit your Research Proposal to MyUni (in the form of PowerPoint slides with a recorded Video presentation). For further details, see ‘Research Proposal’ under the 'Assignments' tab on MyUni.

    4. RESEARCH ESSAY (50%)

    2,500 – 3,000 words. Bring together the insights gained in the course and integrate these in your Research Essay based on your Research Proposal. For further details, see ‘Research Essay Instructions’ under the 'Assignments' tab on MyUni
    Submission

    1. NOTEBOOK (20%)

    Hardcopy submission to the Office of the Coordinator, or online submission through the MyUni portal.

    2. REFLECTION PAPER (20%)

    Online submission with Turnitin to the MyUni portal.

    3. RESEARCH PROPOSAL (10%)

    Online submission with Turnitin to the MyUni portal.

    4. RESEARCH ESSAY (50%)

    Online submission with Turnitin to the MyUni portal.
    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

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.