Major Overview

Description

Asia is home to two-thirds of the world's population and some of the most dynamic and fascinating societies on the planet. It is also an economic powerhouse vital to Australia's future prosperity and security. But what do we really know about the region in which we live? Asian Studies introduces you to the many cultures, societies and politics of Asia including China, Indonesia and Japan. It explores the impact of the great religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam and investigates the dramatic changes that colonialism and revolutions have brought to the people of the region. Students develop critical knowledge of contemporary Asia and the social, cultural, political and economic forces which are shaping modern societies in the region. The Asian Studies major does not require you to learn an Asian language.

Outcomes

Students are able to:

  1. demonstrate critical knowledge of debates and discourses surrounding contemporary issues in Asia
  2. demonstrate an understanding of the complexities of sociocultural, political, economic and environmental transformations and interactions in postcolonial Asia
  3. demonstrate ethical sensitivity towards our diverse and globalised world
  4. express original arguments in both oral and written forms, and demonstrate an ability to engage with theoretical and academic literature
  5. conduct independent research
  6. demonstrate excellent cross-cultural understandings and become better communicators at all levels, in oral and written forms and in interpersonal communication.
Broadening guidelines

All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.

Courses

Asian Studies can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:

Example Study Plan

See study plans for more information.

Units

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2
N/A
not available in 2025 – may be available in 2026 or 2027

Level 1

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (12 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 ASIA1001 Asian Societies and Cultures
Incompatibility
ASIA1101 Exploring Asian Identities
S2 ASIA1002 Asia from Colonial to Modern
Incompatibility
ASIA1102 Creating Asian Modernities

Level 2

Degree-specific major units

Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S2 ASIA2001 Culture, Society and the State in Asia
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
any level 1
or level 2 ASIA, KORE, JAPN, CHIN, INDO, ENGL, HIST, PHIL, ARCY, COMM, LING, ANTH, LAW, VISA, MUSC, SOCS
or POLS unit
Incompatibility
ASIA2204 Culture, Society and the State in Asia
N/A ASIA2002 Australia and Asia
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
any level 1
or level 2 ASIA, KORE, JAPN, CHIN, INDO, ENGL, HIST, PHIL, ARCY, COMM, LING, ANTH, LAW, VISA, MUSC, SOCS
or POLS unit
Incompatibility
ASIA2206 Understanding Asia–Australia Issues
S1 ASIA2004 Popular Culture in Asia
Prerequisites
any Level 1
or Level 2 ASIA, KORE, JAPN, CHIN, INDO, ENGL, HIST, PHIL, ARCY, COMM, LING, ANTH, LAW, VISA, MUSC, SOCS
or POLS unit.
Incompatibility
SOCS2216 Popular Culture in Asia

Level 3

Degree-specific major units

Take unit(s) to the value of 24 points:

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 ASIA3001 Indonesian Politics and Culture
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
any one level 2 Unit(s) from the School of Social Sciences
or Humanities
Incompatibility
ASIA2210 Society and Culture in Indonesia, ASIA2221 Indonesian Politics and Society
S2 ASIA3002 Issues in Japanese Society and Culture
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
any one level 2 Unit(s) from the School of Social Sciences
or Humanities
Incompatibility
ASIA2218 Japan: Social and Cultural Tensions.
ASIA2214 Japan in Changing Asia.
ASIA2217 Shifting Identities in Japan
S1 ASIA3003 Social Issues in Contemporary China
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
any one level 2 Unit(s) from the School of Social Sciences
or Humanities
Incompatibility
ASIA2211 Social Issues in Contemporary China
N/A ASIA3004 Gender and Power in Asia
Prerequisites
any Level 2 ASIA unit
or a Level 2 GEND unit
or a Level 2 ANTH unit
Incompatibility
ASIA2208 Gender Relations in Asia
S2 ASIA3005 Autocracy and Democracy in Asia
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
any one level 2 Unit(s) from the School Social Sciences
or Humanities
Incompatibility
Successful completion of
ASIA3005 Democratisation in Asia
S2 ASIA3006 Contemporary Korean Society
Prerequisites
Any Level 2 Humanities
or Social Sciences unit
Incompatibility
Successful completion of
KORE3812 Contemporary Korean Society