In the process of globalization, the Asian region is rapidly transforming. This course introduces students to various social, cultural, political, and economic dimensions of Asian modernization and globalization. It also looks at change and development’s impacts and consequences. We will read ethnographies, textbook chapters, and short articles and view still images and film clips to analyze the meanings and implications of external global processes for local Asian people’s dailiness.
The first part of the course presents students with interdisciplinary approaches to Asian Studies. The study also provides an overview of Asia in globalization, reflecting cultural flows, fractions & conflicts, power relations, and unequal development in various parts of Asia. The second part explores various Asian contemporary issues to understand several aspects of historical contexts and socio-cultural processes.

1. Students will know about change and development in Asia and their impacts and consequences.
2. Students will understand the current debates concerning contemporary Asian societies and cultures in multiple dimensions.
3. The course will help prepare students for future dealings with cultural diversity, differences, and conflicts of contemporary human society by providing the necessary skills for critical analytical thinking about cultural differences in an increasingly globalized world.

This course is held on campus. If the course must be switched to remote teaching due to an emergency, we will use Zoom.
This class uses lectures and discussions as primary teaching methods. The course will proceed with the lecture format, using reading and media materials for analysis, such as PowerPoint presentations, film clips, and still images. Most course readings are from relevant textbooks, ethnographies, academic papers, and short essays. The readings will give students a profound look at relevant issues and present current theoretical and methodological approaches to understanding dynamic change and development in Asian countries.
The course highlights an interactive learning environment that stimulates dialogue between the instructor and students and among students. The learning process requires the instructor and students to play active roles collaboratively in achieving the course goals. One week before the start of each class, the instructor will provide students with an assigned handout to read via electronic mode.

Students will receive detailed comments on their reflection papers before the start of the student’s seminars.

• Students must read the assigned texts/handouts thoroughly before class attendance and actively participate in-class discussions.
• Based on the theme/topic selected, each student must prepare two reflection papers to be distributed during their presentation. The article is two pages long (using MS Word, Times New Roman 12 font size with double line spacing).

•Class participation & presentation 30%
•Two short reflection papers 30%
•A final report in English 40%
Total of 100%

＜No textbook required.＞

The instructor will supplement the above readings with materials from relevant texts, ethnographies, academic papers, and short essays. Copies of these will be sent to students via electronic mode.

This course does not presume any background knowledge of Asia. Students must read assigned handouts/ texts carefully before class attendance and engage in class discussion energetically.