AST4220

Investigating Asia

(ART)

Mr Ian Mabbett

12 points + Second Semester + 2 hour seminar + Caulfield + Prerequisites: enrolment in a postgraduate program + Corequisite: at least one other unit in a postgraduate program

Synopsis: This unit addresses the challenges of research work in the Asian region and seeks to equip students with some of the skills needed for it. In a series of modules, students will be introduced to a range of potential source materials for the study of Asia, such as documents, census reports, fictional texts, and films, and to a range of research methodologies applicable to the study of Asia including fieldwork in villages, archival work, data collection and interviews. Students will be encouraged to think about issues of ethical obligations in relation to fieldwork, such as those raised by non-Asian scholars making judgments about Asia, cultural bias, and the "ownership" of knowledge.

Assessment: Class participation: 20% + Research/consultancy proposal (6000 words): 50% + Closed book examination (2 hours): 30%