ASN3020 - War and Memory in the Asia Pacific: Legacies of World War II

Leader: Dr Beatrice Trefalt

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2008 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit examines the legacies of World War II in the Asia Pacific region, especially Japan,Korea, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines. It considers such well-known events as the Nanking Massacre of 1937 and the sexual slavery of so-called 'comfort women , as well as lesser known issues such as the use of Asian forced labour on the Burma-Thailand Railway or the experiences of colonial soldiers (Korean, Taiwanese, Filipino, Indian) in the conflict. Importantly, the unit examines critically how debates about the past affect international and domestic relations in the region, and why the wartime past continues to haunt Japan and its neighbours to this day.

Objectives

Upon completion of the unit, the students should have acquired

1. a solid foundation of knowledge about the Second World War in Asia and the Pacific
2. familiarity with specific issues related to war legacies and war memory
3. critical insights into the contested and fluid nature of representations of the past
4. research and interpretation skills through tutorial preparation and participation, and through the submission of written assignments
5. practice in presenting and debating ideas and interpretations effectively and in an informed manner, both orally and in writing.

Assessment

Document analysis (1000 words):25%; Research essay (2000 words): 45%; Examination (1 hour): 20%; Verified tutorial preparation and participation ten out of twelve 5-minute multiple-choice quizzes: 10%

Contact hours

1 one-hour lecture per week for 13 weeks and 1 one-hour tutorial per week for 12 weeks

Prerequisites

An appropriate first year sequence or first year unit such as HSY1050/HSY1060 or HSY1050/JPS1090 or HSY1111/HSY1112 or INT1010/INT1020 or PLT1031 or PLT1040 or PLT1050 or PLT1070

Prohibitions

ASN3020