The course is optional in the MA Area and Cultural Studies in study tracks other than the Asian Studies track. In the Asian Studies track, one course of Asian Material and Immaterial Culture is compulsory.

The course is available to students from other degree programmes.

There are no prerequisites for this course.

The course is part of the Asian Studies track. It also complements the Joint courses Society, Power, and Communication, Ideas, Ideologies, and Religion, and Space, Place, and Environments. It is recommended to take this course after the Joint Studies.

After completing the course students will be familiar with some theoretical approaches and the relevant methodical tools to study Asian material and immaterial cultures. They can understand and analyze their specific relevance for the past and present of Asian societies. They will have the ability to apply the appropriate theoretical and methodical steps to study case study examples regarding Asia. Students will be enabled to reflect on and actively analyze both historical as well as current developments, structures, and practices.

Bi-annually. Potentially, courses will be offered more often, f.e. annually.

The course will give an overview on theoretical approaches, relevant methods, contexts and cases on Asian material and/or immaterial culture. It will highlight one or a small number of exemplary case studies which is/are jointly discussed and analyzed with the appropriate theories and methods. These case studies may be situated in one or several Asian regions or regard Asian diasporas, and include historical and/or contemporary contexts.

During course

Activities and used teaching methods are subjected to the course learning outcomes and course content and are formed by each course’s teacher.

Grading scale is 0-5. Assessment practices vary according to the taught course. In general, assessment will evaluate those learning outcomes that have been set for the individual taught courses. Moreover, students’ self-evaluation or peer evaluation assessments can be used.

Since the course is on the master’s level, students are expected to have previously completed university studies and/or have the ability to review required skills independently.

The course is organized in co-operation with the ALKU. ALKU arranges the course in which the Open University students attend (max 5 students). They registrate themselves via Open University's study programme (Enrol).