Contemporary Asia: Media, Politics and Popular Culture
UndergraduateMUR-AST2812025
Course information for 2025 intake
Enrol today with instant approval and no entry requirements
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 20 July 2025
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed, No prior study
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Start dates
- 28 July 2025
- Price from
- $2,125
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Contemporary Asia: Media, Politics and Popular Culture
About this subject
On successful completion of the subject, students should be able to:
- Understand the major social, cultural and political movements emerging in contemporary Asia;
- Produce informed and well-argued analyses of the role of media in the development of these social, cultural and political movements;
- Contribute to debates informing Australia’s relationship with the Asian region;
- Demonstrate awareness of the different disciplines relevant to the study of Asia, especially cultural history, anthropology, politics and literature, and of the way human knowledge is built and inter-connected.
- Establish a strong base for ethical professional skills, especially in terms of use of sources, as well as awareness of and respect for the values held by different cultures;
- Express your analyses in clear and concise terms, both orally and in writing according to formal academic conventions.
- Topic 1: The Politics of Media and Popular Culture in Asia
- Topic 2: Southeast Asian Cinemas – National and Transnational
- Topic 3: East Asian Pop Culture – From “Cool Japan” to the “Korean Wave”
- Topic 4: Global Anime – Transnationalism in the Japanese Animation Industry
- Topic 5: The Politics of Popular Music in Indonesia
- Topic 6: Ecomedia – Media, Nature and Activism in Asia
- Topic 7: Digital Media and Religion in Asia
- Topic 8: Internet Censorship and Protest in China and Hong Kong
- Topic 9: Creative Cities and Creative Work in Asia
- Topic 10: Queer Cities and Queer Media in Asia
- Topic 11: Asian Media and Multiculturalism in Australia
- Topic 12: Unit Review and Essay Planning
This subject examines the dramatic changes taking place across Asia in the contemporary period, with particular emphasis on the events and controversies that have shaped politics and culture in Indonesia, Japan and China. Studies cover contemporary issues, including Asia's vibrant popular culture, as expressed in contemporary literature, print, electronic, and social media. We discuss key issues such as youth culture, income inequality, grass roots activism and the emergence of social movements, as well as Asia's complex relationship with Australia.
Students with Asian language background and advanced Asian language competence will be able to make use of Asian language-based written and broadcast media.
Please Note: All students studying at Murdoch University will need to complete the compulsory unit, Murdoch Academic Passport (MAP100), which only takes 2-3 hours to complete online. Find out more: http://goto.murdoch.edu.au/MurdochAcademicPassport.
- Workbook (40%)
- Media Analysis (20%)
- Essay (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
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Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
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