ASN2170

Women in Asia: gender, tradition and modernity

(ART)

Alison Tokita

6 points + 2 hours per week + Second semester + Clayton + Prerequisites: a first-year sequence in Asian studies or Anthropology or permission from Head of School + Prohibition: ASN3170

Synopsis: The subject will look at gender relations, cultural definitions of femininity and masculinity and changing gender roles in Asian societies and cultures. The pre-modern, modern and postmodern condition of women in countries such as Japan and Indonesia, and the issues facing women in Asia today will be explored in depth in a comparative context. Topics will include matriarchal cultural patterns in Japan and Indonesia and their cultural expressions, the colonial experience from a gender perspective, the nature of women's equal rights movements in contemporary Asia, changing family structures and educational opportunities for women.

Assessment: Research essay (2000 words): 40% + Examination (1 hour): 30% + Oral presentation of group research project with written summary (1500 words): 30%