Admission requirements
MA Asian studies students (60 EC, 120 EC or research) will be given priority in enrollment if demand
exceeds the available places.
Description
Race, Color, and Caste in Asian Societies and in the World
Discrimination based on group identity, or due to appearance, or both, is a global phenomenon but manifests in particular ways in regions of the world. In this seminar, we will engage with the concept of identity in Asia by focuing on three crucial facets: race, color, and caste. The main theoretical thrust of the course will be on understanding cultural and historical politics of discrimination as well as modes of resistance to it. To do so, we will study key philosophical and political texts such as the writings of Franz Fanon, B. R. Ambedkar, and others to reflect on how discrimination and resitance have been theorized. Alongside, we will critically analyze a wide variety of textual and audio-visual sources to examine how these actions have shaped everyday life in Asia. Case studies will be drawn from several geographical locations. By the end of the seminar, students will gain exposure to theories and perspective from critical race studies, critical caste studies, cultural studies, decolonization, postcolonialism, global south gender perspectives, diaspora and slavery studies, and affect studies.
Course objectives
Learn to think and reflect critically about identity
Study key texts and thinkers in the field
Engage with key debates in the field
Gain familiarity with primary sources of a wide variety, especially cultural sources
Read secondary sources from several disciplines
Examine case studies from many parts of Asia and beyond such as India, Indonesia, China, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Europe, USA, diaspora
Be exposed to theories such as critical race studies, critical caste studies, cultural studies, decolonization, postcolonialism, global south gender perspectives, diaspora and slavery studies, and affect studies
Gain skills in individual and group presentation, academic writing, and digital humanities
Generate normative awareness and solutions about social issues
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Lecture
Seminar
Research
Assessment method
Assessment
Attendance and Class Presentation: 20%
Midterm: In-class, open book, short reflective essay 40%
Final: Podcast/Video script and narrative on a relevant topic and case study (in pairs, with help from Digital Humanities Lab 40%: best two podcasts will be featured on the course website)
The final mark for the course is established by (i) determination of the weighted average combined with (ii) additional requirements.
These additional requirements typically involve that one or more of the partial exams must be passed with a minimum assessment. If applicable, include the additional requirements above.
Attendance
Attendance of the lecture course Introduction to Asian studies is not required, but it it students’ responsibility to keep up with the material if they missed a class.
Attendance and participation are obligatory for seminars and language courses. Students are required to attend all sessions. The lecturers need to be informed without delay of any classes missed for a good reason (i.e. due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness, family issues, problems with residence permits, the Dutch railways in winter, etc.).
Absence without notification in 3 or more of classes without extenuating circumstances will result in a failing attendance grade.
Late papers
Students must complete all papers and assignment(s) on time.
Late submissions for all written work for the first or second attempt will result in a deduction of marks as follows:
1-24 hours late = -0.5;
24-48 hours late = -1.0;
48-72 hours late = -1.5;
Submissions more than 72 hours late, including weekends, will receive a failing grade of 1,0 for the assignment.
If students face extenuating circumstances they can request an extension by contacting the Board of Examiners.
Word limits
A mark deduction applies to papers which exceed the world limit or word range specified in the course description. Students who exceed this word limit will receive an automatic penalty of 0.5 mark deduction.
AI and paper writing
The program reserves the right to assess students’ papers in form of an oral exam to ensure they conducted the research and authored their paper.
Resit:
If students complete all three assessment components, but do not obtain an overall pass grade (a combination of all three components), they have the option to take a close book, in-person exam at the end of the semester worth 80 % of the grade. 20 % of the grade is allotted for attendance and participation and cannot be substituted by this exam.
Inspection and feedback
Grades within 3 working weeks and possibility of review within one week of publication of results.
Reading list
All course material will be made available via links tot he Leiden University catalog on the syllabus. If course material is not available via the library, pdfs will be shared in advance.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Registration À la carte education, Contract teaching and Exchange
Information for those interested in taking this course in context of À la carte education (without taking examinations), eg. about costs, registration and conditions.
Information for those interested in taking this course in context of Contract teaching (with taking examinations), eg. about costs, registration and conditions.
For the registration of exchange students contact Humanities International Office.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Herta Mohr