2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

EAST1450 Foundations of East Asia

20 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Dr Timothy Thurston
Email: t.thurston@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Module replaces

EAST1600 and EAST1602

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Introduces the geography and history of East Asia and considers at its and its cultural, political, and social diversity. The module considers the influence of imperialism in the nineteenth century, the rise of early twentieth-century political movements, and the rapid modernisation of the late twentieth century. The module introduces important long-standing historical features of the region which are necessary for a sound understanding.

Objectives

The objectives of the module are to:
1. Introduce the history of East Asia from earliest times to the modern day.
2. Develop the analytical tools required by students with a particular focus on skills related to the study of modern languages and cultures.
3. Develop students' abilities to work in groups, and to develop their presentational skills

Learning outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of the political, economic, and geographical diversity of the East Asia, to be able to explain the key determinants of the political and economic development of East Asia, to have acquired an understanding of contemporary political and economic development of the region and an appreciation of its diversity and dynamism. They should be able to compare and contrast changes in different parts of East Asia, and be capable of understanding of the social, political and economic reasons behind those changes.

Skills outcomes
Selected longue-durée historical concepts, with a particular emphasis on the evolution of the region and its contemporary features.

Syllabus

The module will provide an introduction to the geography of East Asia, and an overview of the cultural, political and social diversity of the countries that comprise East Asia. It will provide an outline of major historical developments from the mid-nineteenth century, an overview of political movements that emerged in the region in the early twentieth century, and an understanding of the events that led up to the Pacific War. The module assesses the impact of the Pacific War and the conflicts that arose as a result of decolonisation. Political changes in the early post-war period are considered, as are economic developments, notably, rapid economic growth in Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and, after the after the end of the Cold War, in Southeast Asia and the PRC. Longue- durée topics form a substantial element of the initial six weeks.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	20	1.00	20.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			170.00
Total Contact hours			30.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Reading in preparation for lectures, workshops, group-study sessions and seminars (100 hours); writing up notes of group-study sessions and preparation for presenting outcomes in seminars (20 hours); researching and writing essays (50 hours).

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Minutes of group learning session commented on in writing on by the lecturer.
Mid-semester essay, leading to individual feedback.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1,500 words	30.00
Group Project	Based on minutes of group work sessions and seminar presentation	20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

Re-sits for the group-work element will take the form of an individual 2,000-word essay. Please note that all components of the module must be passed.

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

Please note that all components of the module must be passed.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 05/09/2017

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