ATS2341 · Asian popular cultures: Bollywood, manga, hallyu and beyond

Overview

The unit will explore and examine the images and ideas that circulate about Asia in the world. You will gain appreciation of the conceptualisation of the 'idea' of Asia, not just as a geopolitical entity but, as a vital 'site' that is imagined and seen as generative of imagination. 'Asia' exists not only as a landmass between Europe and the Pacific, but also as an imaginary: imagined entity and identity. It is a relational idea that is created in opposition to Europe, and also in terms of neighbouring nation-states/regions within Asia. This unit will explore the fluidities of meaning and flows of culture within and outside Asia. It will prepare you to negotiate questions of Asian ethics and aesthetics, authenticity and identity, voice and representation, Otherisation and Asian Super-powerdom. Studying a diverse range of texts (fiction, films, and new media cultural forms), they will learn how to understand these powerful imaginaries in a comparative framework. They will build critical analytical skills in Asian studies that will help in understanding how Asia is created, determined and negotiated through active, ever-mobile cultures in the face of hegemonic discursive and representational practices. There will be a special focus on Australia's relationship with Asia.

Areas of study: Chinese studies Global Asia Indonesian studies Japanese studies Korean studies

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Explain the influence of Asian cultures and ideas in the Asia-Pacific region, and in an international context;
2. Critically analyse a variety of texts in order to understand how Asia is created, determined and negotiated;
3. Utilise skills in research, critical writing and intercultural competence to communicate research.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.