Australia in the Asian Century

This course will enhance students' knowledge of the policy and discourse surrounding the Asian Century in Australia. This course will develop a critical understanding of major events and themes in Australia's involvement with Asia in the 19th and 20th Centuries, and consider the implications for contemporary relations between Australia and Asia. This course will investigate dynamics in social, political and economic relations within Asia and with Australia, including the rise of China and consider the likely impact of the Asian Century for Australia now and in the future. Students will build on existing skills to develop a critical understanding of Australia's relations with Asia since 1800, with a focus on Australia's relations with Japan in the 20th century and with China since 1980. Students investigate the contemporary geographic, linguistic and cultural profile of Asia, and contemporary issues in the region, with a focus on four key case studies; Australia's relations with China, Japan, India, and Indonesia. Students evaluate the political narrative surrounding the Asia Century and the White Paper, and the concept of Asia literacy in Australian education They explain the implications of dynamics in Asian engagement in Australia today, in areas such as migration, education, tourism and investment.