MONASH UNIVERSITY FACULTY HANDBOOKS

Arts Graduate Handbook 1996

Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996

AST4030

Thinking about Asia: cultural concepts in context

Jane Drakard and Barbara Hatley

Synopsis This course is designed for students taking the MA or Diploma in Asian Studies. The major objective is to introduce students to thinking about Asian societies through an exploration of some key cultural concepts; concepts which are manifested in diverse ways in different parts of Asia. Rather than generalising about what is `Asian' students will be encouraged to investigate difference and change in the way that abstractions such as `hierarchy', `power', `tradition' and `order' function in particular situations. The ideas introduced in this course will provide students with a framework/context for the study of Asia in their course work in the fields of politics, history, business, language, economics and society.

Assessment Document/book review (1000 words): 15% + Tutorial essay (2000 words): 25% + Research essay (6000 words): 60%

Recommended reading

• Pye LW Asian power and politics: The cultural dimensions of authority 1985
• Dumont L Homo hierarchicus: An essay on the caste system in India Chicago U P, 1980
• Anderson B `The idea of power in Javanese culture' in C Holt Culture and politics in Indonesia 1972
• Geertz C Negara: The theatre state in nineteenth century Bali 1980
• Tambiah S J World conquerer and world renouncer CUP, 1976
• Richardson B M The political culture of Japan 1974
• Wright A F (ed.) Studies in Chinese thought 1953
• Geertz C (ed.) Old societies and new states 1963
• Benedict R The chrysanthemum and the sword: Patterns of Japanese culture 1946
• Srinivas M N The remembered village 1976