Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
With democracy on the slide globally, it is more pressing than ever to understand autocratic regimes not as anomalies but as sophisticated and sustainable systems in their own right. How do they work, how do they endure, how are they legitimated, and why do some ultimately collapse? With a focus on East and Southeast Asia, this unit explores not only varieties of authoritarianism but also the global and local factors which lead to democracy in some countries and authoritarianism or even dictatorship in others. Adopting a multi-disciplinary approach, it investigates political forms of rule, ideologies, leaders and leadership, state-society relations, and resistance movements. Students will learn to analyze similarities and differences between various regimes, explain the rise and fall of autocratic governments, and connect wider global trends to local manifestations in Asia, gaining an understanding of the persistence of authoritarianism in our own times.
The academic objectives of the unit are to (1) develop knowledge and understanding of key theories of political change; (2) evaluate theoretical debates about the causes, processes and prospects of autocracy and democracy in the Asian context; (3) develop an appreciation of the variety of political cultures in the Asian region; (4) develop knowledge of specific states and societies experiencing political transitions; (5) improve interpersonal and communication skills; and (6) develop the ability to conduct independent research utilising a variety of sources.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 2 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 3 option in the Political Science and International Relations; Asian Studies; Philosophy, Politics and Economics; Human Rights; International Relations major sequences
- Level 3 elective
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key theories of political change; (2) evaluate theoretical debates about the causes, processes and prospects of autocracy and democracy in the Asian context; (3) recognise the variety of political cultures in the Asian region; (4) demonstrate knowledge of specific states and societies experiencing political transitions; (5) use strong interpersonal and communication skills; and (6) conduct independent research utilising a variety of sources.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) tutorial participation and presentation; (2) written assignments; and (3) examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Associate Professor Jie Chen
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- Successful completion ofany one level 2 Unit(s) from the School Social Sciences
or Humanities - Incompatibility
- Successful completion ofASIA3005 Democratisation in Asia
- Contact hours
- 22 hours consisting of 11 seminars x 2 hours. There are 2 x 40 minute lectures each week.
- Texts
There is no textbook for this unit. Students will be advised of essential readings in the Unit Outline.
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit, one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook one week prior the commencement of study. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Information on essential textbooks will also be made available on the Essential Textbooks. This website is updated regularly in the lead up to semester so content may change. It is recommended that students purchase essential textbooks for convenience due to the frequency with which they will be required during the unit. A limited number of textbooks will be made available from the Library in print and will also be made available online wherever possible. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus.
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.