The transformation of Asia, circa. 1800 to the present day
Ian Copland and Adrian Buzo
6 points
* Two lectures and one tutorial per week
* Second semester
* Clayton
Objectives The subject is designed to introduce students, through a study of selected primary and secondary sources, to debates about the processes of imperialism, colonialism and modernisation in the shaping of Asian societies and polities from the 16th to the 20th centuries. It aims to break down monolithic perceptions of `Asia', to challenge conventional stereotypes about `exploitation' and `resistance', and to foster an awareness of the interdependence of Europe and Asia during this formative period. Students successfully completing this subject should have developed a sense of the sweep of modern world history; an understanding of the role of individuals, ideas, and economic forces in the shaping of events; and an ability to differentiate, in assessing the impact of colonialism on Asia, between the experiences of India, China, Japan and Indonesia.
Synopsis By 1800 much of South and Southeast Asia was under European rule. By the late 19th century China and Japan, though still formally independent, had become subject to varying degrees of European influence. Today, China and India are once again autonomous countries, significant players on the world stage, while Japan bids fair to overtake the USA as the world's strongest economic power. This subject seeks to shed light on this remarkable reversal of Asia's fortunes. How did India, China and Japan manage to throw off the shackles of imperialism, and how did they adjust to the economic and cultural challenge posed by a confident, industrialised and democratising Europe? And what of the future? Does the Japanese `economic miracle' signal the beginning of an era of Asian world dominance? Lectures and tutorials will focus on the big picture, providing thereby a broad, connected survey of Asia's `renaissance' from 1800 to the present; but students will have the opportunity, in essay work, to specialise on areas and themes of their choice.
Assessment Written (2500 words): 60%
* Examination (2 hours): 30%
* Class participation/attendance: 10%
Prescribed texts
Murphey R A History of Asia Harper Collins 1996
Recommended texts
Borthwick M The emergence of modern Pacific Asia Westview Press, Allen and Unwin, 1992
Hibbert C The dragon wakes: China and the West 1792-1911 Penguin, 1984
Hunter J E The emergence of modern Japan: An introductory history Since 1853 Longman, 1989
Jeffrey R (ed.) Asia and the winning of independence Macmillan, 1981
Murphey R A history of Asia Harper-Collins, 1966
Stern R W Changing India: Bourgeois revolution on the subcontinent CUP ,1993
Wilkinson E Japan versus the West: Images and reality Penguin, 1991
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