ASIA 2021 - Cultures and Identities in Contemporary China

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2014

This course gives students an insight into the complexity of China's past and present and highlights the continuity of a "living tradition" by applying the analytical principles that can be applied more or less universally in the field of humanities and social sciences. Key socio-political and religo-cultural ideas, together with institutions underpinning the bases of the myriad of Chinese identities are examined. Some of the key ideas shaping Chinese identities, including ('Han') Chineseness, ethnic and other minorities and the fact of how ideas of 'Confucianism' distorted Western analysis are also investigated. Chinese cultural variety is highlighted by showing how important Buddhism, Daoism, as well as popular beliefs, which include beliefs in fate, ghosts, fengshui and divination shape much Chinese thinking. More recent influences such as Christianity and Islam, Communism under Mao Zedong, nationalism and modern syncretic movements may be scrutinised to show how boundaries between politics and religions can become blurred in the light of religious tradition. Many of these ideas remain evocative and relevant both in China and in international relations when governments or others appeal to or against them.

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Course Details

Course Code	ASIA 2021
Course	Cultures and Identities in Contemporary China
Coordinating Unit	Asian Studies
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Prerequisites	12 units of Level I study
Incompatible	ASIA 2016 or ASIA 3016
Assessment	tutorial papers, presentation, participation, research paper

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Gerry Groot

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

Course Learning Outcomes

At the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1	Obtain knowledge and understanding of contemporary Chinese culture and identity issues
2	Learn how to interpret and analyse Chinese society in detail
3	Integrate theoretical knowledge with empirical evidence
4	Learn to engage with the ideas and perspectives of other learners
5	Learn to analyse issues in Chinese culture and identity critically and creatively
6	Learn analytic skills for developing and defending an argument
7	Develop skills in synthesising and contextualising new information
8	Develop skills and confidence in participating in public discussion
9	Develop essay writing skills
10	Acquire research training skills

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	1-10
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	4, 8
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	1,2, 4

Learning Resources

Online Learning

Weekly lecture notes will be available on MyUni prior to the start of each week’s lecture. Other information such as course-related announcements, assessment details and the electronic course profile will also be available through MyUni.

Learning & Teaching Modes

The lectures introduce critical aspects of particular identity issues in contemporary China, themed around the broad topics of religion, politics, and contemporary culture China. Lectures will include audio-visual materials relevant to the theme when appropriate. In tutorials, students will have the opportunity to discuss what they have seen and heard in the lecture as well as to do their own individual presentations as part of the assessment for this subject.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

1 x 2-hour lecture (or equivalent) per week	24 hours per semester
1 x 1-hour tutorial (or equivalent) per week	12 hours per semester
6 hours reading per week	72 hours per semester
2 hours research per week	24 hours per semester
2 hours assignment preparation per week	24 hours per semester
TOTAL WORKLOAD HOURS	156 hours per semester

Learning Activities Summary

Schedule
Week 1	Introduction
Religion and ethical identities
Week 2	Confucian identities
Week 3	Daoist and Buddhist identities
Week 4	Christian and Islamic Identities
Political identities
Week 5	Nationalist Identities
Week 6	Communist identities
Contemporary identities
Week 7	Female Identities
Week 8	Male Identities
Week 9	Minority ethnic identities
Week 10	Media-influenced Identities
Week 11	Popular culture-influenced Identities
Week 12	Summary of course content

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Task Type	Weighting	Learning Outcome
Attendance and participation	Formative and Summative	10%	1-10
Tutorial presentation	Formative and Summative	15%	1-10
1500 word analytical essay	Formative and Summative	30%	1-10
Take home exam	Summative	45%	1-10

Assessment Related Requirements

Students should attend all lectures and tutorials. Medical or other supporting documentation may be required for absences.

Assessment Detail

Attendance and participation: students are expected to attend and participation in both lectures and tutorials - 10% weighting

Tutorial Presentation: students will submit a presentation on a specific topic chosen from a list - 15% weighting

1500 word Analytical Essay: students submit a 1500 word essay, based on a chosen topic - 30% weighting

Take home exam: students complete an exam (2000 words per question) and provide a reference list - 45% weighting

Submission

All assignments are submitted electronically via MyUni.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through .

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

The 成人大片 is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The 成人大片 therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator

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