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Unit outline_

ASNS1601: Introduction to Asian Cultures

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This introductory unit explores the histories and cultures of Asia across time, up to the modern era. The curriculum aims to provide both the essential knowledge and intellectual skills necessary for more advanced study of Asia, and to lay the groundwork for comparative investigation of trans-Asian phenomena. Topics and themes may include: religion, ritual, and philosophical thought; sacred kings and capitals; hierarchy and social order; family, kinship and gender systems; art, architecture, and archaeology.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Asian Studies
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Adrian Vickers, adrian.vickers@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Jim Rheingans, jim.rheingans@sydney.edu.au
Adrian Vickers, adrian.vickers@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Matthew Steggles, matthew.steggles@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Final essay
Short-answer essay
40% Formal exam period 2,500
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Participation Tutorial participation
Active participation.
10% Multiple weeks n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Online task Geography quiz
Quiz
5% Please select a valid week from the list below 250 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Online task Online quiz
Multiple-choice quizzes
20% Please select a valid week from the list below 750 word equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Reflective progress essay
Short reflective progress essay about topics taught previously.
25% Week 09
Due date: 09 Oct 2022 at 23:59
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

Geography Quiz; Quizzes weeks 2–12. Participation in tutorials. Short reflective essays (1,000) words. Final essay (2000 words).

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Demonstrates a high level of understanding of content combined with strong analytical ability, especially an ability to construct original arguments from evidence.

Distinction

75 - 84

Demonstrates good understanding of content combined with good analytical ability, especially an ability to construct sound arguments from evidence.

Credit

65 - 74

Demonstrates understanding of content combined with analytical ability, especially an ability to construct arguments from evidence.

Pass

50 - 64

Demonstrates basic understanding of content and ability to construct an analytical argument. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The Assessment Procedures 2011 provide that any written work submitted after 11:59pm on the due date will be penalised by 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. If the assessment is submitted more than ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded. However, a unit of study may prohibit late submission or exclude late penalties only if expressly stated below.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week -01 Orientation Module Online class (1 hr)  
Week 01 Transnational Studies of Asia Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO3
What is Asia? Introduction to key themes in Asian Studies Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO4
Approaches to Studying Asia Tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 02 The Ancient Indian Epics Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Live Session: The Ramayana and the Mahabharata Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO3
Interpreting the Indian classics Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 03 Popular Culture in South Asia Online class (1 hr)  
Bollywood in South Asia Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Experiencing Bollywood Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 Buddhism from India to China Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
The Journey to the West Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Monkey Magic Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 05 Cultural transformation in China Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO3
Theatre in China Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Peking Opera Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 06 Classical Japanese culture Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2
The Tale of Genji Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2
The Tale of Genji in context Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 07 Contemporary Japanese culture Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Anime in Japan Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Princess Mononoke Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 The Roots of Korean Popular Culture Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Understanding Korean culture Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Origins of K-Pop Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 09 Korean culture goes global Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Korean cultural fandom Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Islam in South and Southeast Asia Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Understanding Islam Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Conversion to Islam Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 11 Hinduism and Buddhism in Southeast Asia Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Southeast Asian culture Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Buddhism in practice Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Contemporary Southeast Asian culture Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Popular culture in Southeast Asia Seminar (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Popular culture and politics Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 What is 'Asia'? Online class (1 hr) LO4
Q & A on Asia Seminar (1 hr) LO3 LO4
Closing debate Tutorial (1 hr) LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance:

1x1hr on-line module; 1x1hr ‘live session’ (seminar) Face-to-face and via Zoom; 1x1hr tutorial Face-to-face or via Zoom

Lecture recording: The ‘live sessions’ or seminars are intended as interactive discussions of the on-line lecture material, so although they will be recorded, live attendance is recommended.

 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings available through Canvas and Leganto

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Demonstrate awareness of key elements relevant to the study of Asian culture.
  • LO2. Describe—both orally and in writing—the key traits of Asia’s major cultural developments.
  • LO3. Apply the concept of a 'trans-national' approach to different Asian societies.
  • LO4. Challenge dominant narratives about Asia, demonstrating an awareness of complexity and change over time.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit is updated each year on the basis of student feedback and peer review.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.