Response to Student Feedback
HSTY 2681: Colonialism in Modern Asia (2010)

This unit was jointly taught by Robert Aldrich (History) and Matthew Stavros (Japanese Studies/Asian Studies). It focussed on the case studies of the French in Indochina, the Japanese in East Asia, and the British in India – guest lectures on the last topic were given by Dr Jim Masselos and Dr Nyantara Pothen. Students came from both the History and the Asian Studies Departments, and the unit was cross-listed.

A great majority of the students were satisfied with the unit (which scored 3.97 of 5 points on the USE evaluations). Most felt that it was relevant to their degrees, that the learning outcomes and standards were clear, and that the unit had helped them develop their knowledge and skills. In a survey by the lecturers (as a complement to the USE questionnaire), they found the lectures well presented, the readings generally interesting and useful, and the assessments appropriate.

This was the second time that the unit was offered; in this iteration, a case study of the British in India replaced one on the Dutch in the East Indies in response to an indication of student interest in India in a survey at the end of the unit in 2009. Some changes in the readings had been made, as well, both in response to student comments and with the new case study.

The unit is not scheduled in 2011 or 2012, but it is hoped that it will be offered again in future.