Activism and Social Change in Asia and the Pacific

Asia and the Pacific constitute one of the world's most exciting, vibrant and contested regions. For some parts of the region, difficult twentieth-century histories have been left behind in favour of a more integrated, prosperous and peaceful future. However, authoritarian rule, lingering animosities, persistent inequalities and unstable polities have the potential to generate regional and even global impacts. There are many ways and many entry points into the scholarly exploration of this complex and fascinating region. Through the broad lens of activism and social change, this course will explore a range of disciplinary and case study perspectives to develop a better understanding of key institutions, issues, movements, and patterns of change in the modern Asia-Pacific. Lectures and readings will highlight relevant issues across Asia and the Pacific including case studies from East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Lecturers will also offer insights into disciplinary and methodological approaches to analysing complex social science concepts. These may include rights, power, legitimacy, social control, social movements, economic patterns, gender, media, and the family.