Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2024 - HIST 464 D100

Problems in Modern Asian History (4)

Homes and Diasporas in Mod. Asia

Class Number: 5813

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Oct 11, 2024: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Oct 16 – Dec 3, 2024: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units including nine units of lower division history.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Concepts and methodology of modern Asian history. Selected themes may include revolution, inequality, mass violence, ideology, imperialism, leadership, and the Cold War. Content may vary from offering to offering; see course outline for further information. HIST 464 may be repeated for credit only when a different topic is taught.

COURSE DETAILS:

Homes and Diasporas in Modern Asia

This course approaches migration and diaspora communities in modern Asia from historical and interdisciplinary perspectives. We examine diasporas and migrations in modern, global Asia from the vantage point of "homes," which we can understand as a physical space and an imagination. A classic understanding of diaspora points to one, central home as the place of origin and potential return. Need a home be in a single place? If diasporas can maintain more than one home, how are connections between multiple homes kept? Can such long-distance diasporic connections be politicized? We explore these questions through comparative cases drawn from different parts of Asia and the Middle East – including the worldly religious cities of Jerusalem and Mecca and their significance for Jewish, Arab, Asian, and Muslim diasporas; Chinese migrations in Southeast Asia and the North Americas; forced migrations in South Asia; Asian labor migrations to the Gulf cities; and Korean Chinese diasporas between China and the two Koreas. Besides the concept of “homes,” the course will discuss the themes that highlight the contradictory sides of mobility: trade, labor, wars and exiles, religious belonging, global cities, and nation-state and citizenship.

Grading

  • Participation & Responses 30%
  • Oral history project: preparation, essay, presentation 30%
  • Final project: preparation & project 40%

NOTES:

Grade Breakdown (subject to change):

1. Participation & Responses: 30%

- In-class participation: 10%

- Reading reflections of no more than 500 words (four total, lowest grade dropped): 15%

- Geography quiz: 5%

2. Oral history project: preparation, essay, presentation: 30%

- Oral history interview worksheet: 5% 

(Interview of at least 30 minutes with 1) someone who either emigrated from Asia or is the child of an immigrant or 2) at least one of the family members who can share the family migration history (either transnational or domestic)

- TCPS 2 (https://tcps2core.ca/welcome): 5%

(Certificate must be obtained before undertaking the oral history project. Completion takes approximately 3 hours)

- Oral history migration essay (1,500 words): 15%

- Presentation on the project (max. 10 minutes): 5%

3. Final project: preparation & project (40%)

- Final project topic posting (200 words): 5%

- Short annotation of three academic sources for the project: 5%

- Final project: 30% 

(A topic of choice, in consultation with the instructor, with the option of expanding the oral history interview essay. Format options include the conventional critical research paper, a blog or website, a historiographical review, or a documentary)

Materials

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.