HIS 4002 Topics in Asian History

STAFFING:

REQUISITES:

RATIONALE:

In 2005, the focus will be on nation-building in Southeast Asia, with particular emphasis on the emergence of eleven states in the region since 1945, and the main issues they must deal with. The basic assumption of this course is that contemporary events in Southeast Asia begin to make more sense if we understand how and why they have arisen, especially since the catalyst of the Japanese Occupation (1941-45). In order to develop an empathetic understanding of the complex issues which confront the Southeast Asian region today, it is also necessary to recognise the persistence of tradition into the present, and the ways in which contemporary behaviour may reflect long-established patters of living and beliefs.

SYNOPSIS:

Drawing upon a framework provided by the discipline of history, the course involves a thematic approach and focuses upon the process of nation-building in the Southeast Asian region. It seeks to convey the jostle of tradition and modernity in the everyday lives of people as new nations are built.

OBJECTIVES:

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1. demonstrate an informed and critical awareness of major contemporary political and social issues in Southeast Asia;
2. appreciate the forces of continuity and change which underpin these developments;
3. trace and utilize primary and secondary source materials in the presentation of seminar papers and essays, and document their evidence according to scholarly conventions;
4. develop oral and written arguments about contemporary regional issues, and express their viewpoints with care, coherence, and clarity in weekly seminars and writen assignments;
5. recognise the cultural validity, diversity, and richness of Southeast Asian societies, and theories of social explanation.

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

Students will be allocated dates for seminar presentations during first week of semester.

2.

Students will be advised of the official exam date after the timetable has been finalised.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   It is the student's responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To complete each of the assessment items satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each assessment item.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval, then a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply for each of the first FIVE working days late, after which a zero mark will be given.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of a passing grade, students must demonstrate, via the summative assessment items, that they have achieved the required minimum standards in relation to the objectives of the course by obtaining at least 50% of the total weighted marks for all summative assessment.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks (or grades) obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   The exam for this course is a RESTRICTED EXAMINATION, and candidates are allowed access to * writing materials (non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination); * Translation dictionary. With the Examiner's approval, candidates may take an appropriate non-electronic translation dictionary into the examination. This will be subject to perusal and, if it is found to contain annotations or markings that could give the candidate an unfair advantage, it may be removed from the candidate's possession until the appropriate disciplinary action is completed.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Any deferred or supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6 Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES