This unit will examine how major shifts in research questions, directions, approaches and assumptions that have happened in social sciences during the twentieth century have played out in the field of Asian Studies. Students will critically analyse the circumstances and reasons for the emergence of the discipline of Area Studies, and its specific application to the study of Asian societies. In both seminar discussion and individual projects, students will engage in case studies from their respective areas of expertise, namely Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese, and Korean studies.

The unit investigates the role of Asian Studies experts as public intellectuals in Australia and in the world. Students will reflect on issues of intellectual freedom and integrity, institutional pressures and public engagement as they relate to the communication of research findings to a range of academic and non academic audiences and across a range of different media. In both seminar discussion and individual projects, students will engage in case studies from their respective areas of expertise, namely Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese, and Korean studies.

In this unit you begin a substantial, independent research project in Chinese Studies. Regular meetings with a supervisor approved by the Chinese Studies Honours Coordinator will guide your progress. You will develop a plan for researching and writing the thesis, submit an ethics application if appropriate, familiarise yourself with disciplinary conventions and standards, engage with relevant literature, theories and methodologies, and submit drafts at agreed times.

In this unit you complete and submit your substantial, independent research project of 18-20,000 words in Chinese Studies. Regular meetings with a supervisor will guide your progress. You will continue to submit drafts at agreed times, and develop your expertise in relevant research methods and analytical skills as well as in the subject matter of your specialist topic.