Assignments

Discussion Board

Post regularly during Weeks 2 and 3 about the readings your group is not presenting on. Post on at least five different days. Each post should be approximately 150–200 words. A strong post might include one inspiring quote and your takeaway—a key insight or question the reading raises.

Posts are due at midnight on the day the readings are assigned. At the end of the block, compile all posts into a single PDF and upload to Canvas.

Reflective Essays

Two reflective essays, each two pages (double-spaced). These are about personal journeys—not scholarly statements. Prioritize genuineness, courage, and growth.

Essay #1 — Starting Point

Due: Day 1 at midnight. Reflect on where you are now in terms of your knowledge, positionality, and interests related to Asia. Think honestly about what you know and don't know, what feels exciting and troubling, and the experiences that may have shaped your views.

Essay #2 — Looking Back

Due: Day 18 at noon. How have the course materials, discussions, and activities shifted, challenged, or expanded your understanding? Consider what you hope to learn and unlearn moving forward.

Group Projects

Project #1: Asian Artworks

Presented Day 4 in class. Topics: Hindu Gods; The Art of Storytelling; Arts of Japan; Tibetan Buddhism and Mandala.

Project #2: Mapping Asia

See separate handout.

Project #3: Thematic Presentations

15 minutes, presented throughout the block. Your group narrows down the title based on your reading. The presentation should demonstrate synthesis, flow, and understanding. Choose a theme:

• "Gendered Modernities and National Projects in Asia"
• "The Rise of Modern Japan: State-Building, Industrialization, and Settler Colonialism"
• "Citizenships in Asia: Power, Identity, and Belonging"
• "Environmental Challenges and Ecological Practices in Asia"

How to Do Well

Demonstrate genuine collaboration (not a collage of individual efforts), thoughtful content with synthesis, clear delivery, and engagement that sparks conversation during Q&A.

Research Proposal

Instead of a final exam, this block concludes with a research/grant proposal. Your topic should relate to at least one issue covered in the course and engage at least one course material.

Presentation

5 minutes, Day 17 in class.

Written Proposal

Due: Day 18 at noon. At least 3 pages (double-spaced) plus a short bibliography with at least five sources (MLA or Chicago style).

What Goes into the Proposal?

• Topic & Questions: What you plan to research and the questions driving your curiosity.
• Preliminary Knowledge: What you already know that provides a foundation.
• Data / Sources: What materials you plan to use—archival, interviews, artworks, literary texts, films, etc.
• Methodology: How you will analyze your materials.
• Product: What you will produce (paper, exhibit, podcast, public-facing project, etc.)
• Bibliography: Sources consulted or planned.