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) participation; (2) written assessments; and (3) research essay. 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)
- Caleb Kelso-Marsh
- 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
- Up to 3 contact hours per week for 12 weeks.
- 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.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- 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.