Faculty of Arts Asian Studies

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Faculty of Arts

Table of Contents

1. Time commitment to study
2. Faculty of Arts requirements
3. Prerequisites
4. Diploma in Arts (Asian Studies)
5. Completing a major in Asian studies
6. Requirements for a major
    6.1. Asian studies subjects
7. Combined honours entry
    7.1. Application procedure
8. Combined honours requirements
9. For more information
Subject Lists
    First-year subject
    Fourth-year subjects

Convener: Associate Professor Anne McLaren (Asia Institute)

The Asian studies program at the University of Melbourne is ideal for students who wish to acquire a broad understanding of Asian societies and cultures. The Asian studies major is taught predominantly in English. Asian languages are offered in separate language majors. The program provides students with a comparative view of Asian societies through a critical and interdisciplinary approach. Students may also choose to specialise in a particular region of study to enhance their future career choices.

The Asian studies program is housed in the Asia Institute and is taught by the University's key faculties. Asian studies draws on the collaboration between Asia Institute and other faculties and schools at the University of Melbourne to offer a comprehensive program of study in the rich intellectual, cultural, legal, economic and religious traditions of Asia, with a focus on Japan, China, Indonesia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asian and Pacific societies.

1. Time commitment to study

As well as scheduled contact hours for lectures, tutorial and seminars a considerable additional time commitment is needed to complete the academic requirements of each subject.

A subject-specific time commitment to study will be provided by your lecturer or tutor at the beginning of semester to help you schedule your workload and successfully manage your time during the semester. In addition, general estimates of the total time commitment required to study a 12.5-point single semester subject in the Faculty of Arts can be found on Time commitment to study.

2. Faculty of Arts requirements

Within the Asian studies major, only those subjects offered by schools of the Faculty of Arts are Arts-approved; see Arts-approved subject requirement. Combined degree students may not be able to undertake subjects offered by the Faculty of Economics and Commerce and the Faculty of Law. They should contact a course adviser for advice.

3. Prerequisites

The Asian studies program commences in second year. The general prerequisite for entry is completion of 50 points of first year in any Faculty of Arts discipline.

4. Diploma in Arts (Asian Studies)

The Diploma in Arts (Asian Studies) is only available to students who are currently enrolled in a degree course at the University of Melbourne. It consists of a three-year sequence of study, and adds one year to the duration of your degree.

Students must complete 25 points of recommended first-year subjects listed above and 75 points of second/third-year subjects selected from the list below, including 131-228 Inventing Asian Traditions. Alternatively, students who have completed appropriate background studies at first year may complete 100 points of second/third-year subjects from the lists below, including 131-228 Inventing Asian Traditions.

5. Completing a major in Asian studies

You can choose to complete a major in Asian studies if you are enrolled in a BA or BA combined degree.

Students may undertake the study of an Asian language in addition to their major in Asian studies. Languages available include Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese, Thai, Korean and Vietnamese.

Students are encouraged to complete one or more of the first year subjects listed below and to examine carefully subject prerequisites for second/third year Asian studies subjects.

6. Requirements for a major

A major in Asian studies usually consists of eight 12.5-point subjects, totalling 100 points. It comprises:

• two first-year subjects from any program within the Faculty of Arts (25 points); and

• six second/third-year subjects (75 points) which must include:

  • 131-228 Inventing Asian Traditions, the program's compulsory subject (12.5 points); and

  • five subjects from the list of Asian studies subjects below.

6.1. Asian studies subjects

The following second/third-year, third-year, and third/fourth-year subjects are part of the Asian studies program.

You must consult the relevant area of study entries in this Handbook to make sure that you meet the prerequisites, if any, for these subjects.

The usual prerequisite for entry to a third-year subject is 25 points of second/third-year in that area. The usual prerequisite for entry to a third/fourth-year subject is 37.5 points at second/third-year in that area.

* Subject requires Asian language prerequisite or equivalent.

* Subject requires Asian language prerequisite or equivalent.

7. Combined honours entry

Honours coordinator: Dr Carolyn Stevens

Currently there is no pure honours program in Asian studies. This means that students must combine fourth-year honours in Asian studies with honours from another Arts program.

The prerequisites for entry to combined honours in Asian studies are:

• completion of all the requirements for the BA; and

• completion of a major in Asian studies; and

• an average grade of H2B or higher over the second/third-year subjects within the major; and

• admission to honours in another discipline area within the Arts Faculty.

Students intending to take combined honours in Asian studies are advised to undertake at least some elementary study of an Asian language.

7.1. Application procedure

For information on how to apply see Applying for Honours.

8. Combined honours requirements

Students undertaking combined honours in Asian studies and another discipline must complete:

• 110-580 Asian Studies Thesis (37.5 points); and

• two honours subjects in Asian studies (25 points); and

• three honours subjects from the combining discipline (totalling 37.5 points).

or

• honours thesis in the combining discipline (37.5 points); and

• two honours subjects in the combining discipline (25 points); and

• three honours subjects in Asian studies (37.5 points).

Subjects offered at third/fourth-year not already completed at third-year level are also available to Asian studies combined honours students, see Asian studies subjects.

Students may take relevant fourth-year subjects from other areas of study including language with the permission of the convener of Asian studies.

* Subject requires Asian language prerequisite or equivalent.

9. For more information

Asia Institute
Sidney Myer Asia Centre
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010
Tel: +61 3 8344 5990
Fax: +61 3 9349 4870
Email: ai-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au
Web: http://www.asiainstitute.unimelb.edu.au

First-year subject

110-118 Language and Power in Asian Societies

Fourth-year subjects

110-417 Gender and Agency in East Asia
110-580 Asian Studies Thesis
110-553 Human Rights in Southeast Asia
110-590 Critical Asian Perspectives

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