Course syllabus

ASIAN 700: Research Methods

SEMESTER 1, 2018

15 points

 
Course Convenor:

Mark Mullins   m.mullins@auckland.ac.nz 

Teacher:

Mark Mullins   m.mullins@auckland.ac.nz 

(4-5 other staff in Asian studies will also contribute lectures over the course of the semester)

Course delivery format:

 One 2 hour session of lectures and seminar discussions each week.

(Timetable and room details can be viewed on Student Services Online)

 Summary of Course Description:              

This course will introduce students to a range of research methods utilized in the multidisciplinary field of Asian studies. Over the course of the semester students will be expected to critically engage the readings and lectures on a variety of approaches to research in the humanities and social sciences as practiced by University of Auckland staff specializing in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese studies. In addition, the Librarians in Asian Studies will provide some orientation and language-specific library research training in order to make full use of the resources available. Drawing on the various approaches covered, students will be expected to develop a research proposal that clearly identifies a problem or question to be addressed and outlines the appropriate research methods to gather the data required to successfully complete the study. These proposals need to be developed in consultation with the Asian studies staff on a topic for which expertise and supervision is available.

 Course outcomes:

The aim of this course is to develop the skills required for conducting original research and presenting the results in both oral and written form appropriate to the chosen field. Stylistic conventions vary across the humanities and social sciences, so students will need to identify what is expected for written presentations, citations, and references for publications in each field (see, for example, such resources as the Chicago Manual of Style or the Monumenta Nipponica Style Sheet, Fourth edition). By the end of the course, students should be equipped with the basic practical skills for pursuing independent research on a range of topics in Asian studies.

 Assessment Summary:

100 percent coursework (6000 words)

• Seminar Participation, short reading reports, and research exercises 30%
• Literature Review (approximately 2000 words) 30% (due 19 April)
• Final Research Proposal (approximately 4000 words) 40% (Oral presentation and final research proposal due on 31 May).

Prescribed Texts:

There are no required textbooks for this course, but 2-3 articles or book chapters have been selected by the teaching staff to be read in connection with the session on research methods in their particular field. 

 Workload and deadlines for submission of coursework:           

The University of Auckland's expectation is that students spend 10 hours per week on a 15-point course, including time in class and personal study. Students should manage their academic workload and other commitments accordingly. Deadlines for coursework are set by course convenors and will be advertised in course material. You should submit your work on time. In extreme circumstances, such as illness, you may seek an extension but you may be required to provide supporting information before the assignment is due. Late assignments without a pre-approved extension may be penalised by loss of marks – check course information for details.