Undergraduate - UnitATS2382 - War and memory in the Asia Pacific: Legacies of World War II

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Notes

Synopsis

This unit examines the legacies of World War II in the Asia Pacific region, especially Japan,Korea, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines. It considers such well-known events as the Nanking Massacre of 1937 and the sexual slavery of so-called 'comfort women , as well as lesser known issues such as the use of Asian forced labour on the Burma-Thailand Railway or the experiences of colonial soldiers (Korean, Taiwanese, Filipino, Indian) in the conflict. Importantly, the unit examines critically how debates about the past affect international and domestic relations in the region, and why the wartime past continues to haunt Japan and its neighbours to this day.

Outcomes

Upon completion of the unit, the students should have acquired

1. a solid foundation of knowledge about the Second World War in Asia and the Pacific
2. familiarity with specific issues related to war legacies and war memory
3. critical insights into the contested and fluid nature of representations of the past
4. research and interpretation skills through tutorial preparation and participation, and through the submission of written assignments
5. practice in presenting and debating ideas and interpretations effectively and in an informed manner, both orally and in writing.

Assessment

Written work (3000 words): 70%
1 hour Exam: 20%
Tutorial contribution: 10%

Contact hours

One 1-hour lecture per week for 12 weeks
One 1-hour tutorial per week for 11 weeks

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Japanese studies
Chinese studies
Asian studies

Prerequisites

An appropriate first-year sequence or first-year unit such as ATS1318/ATS1319 or ATS1318/ATS1327 or ATS1320/ATS1321 or ATS1325/ATS1326 or ATS1873 or ATS1354.

Prohibitions

ATS3382