ARTS1211 Australia’s Asian Context

2018 Research Essay & Briefing Paper Questions

 Write an academic essay or a briefing paper on one of the following

 Length - 1800-2000 words including references and bibliography of sources used; cite
at least 10 sources
 Use a reference style of your own preference but be consistent in its application. Visit
the Purdue University site linked from Moodle to choose one style.
 Due 22 October 2018 via Moodle Turnitin

Research Essays

1. To what extent does Orientialism, as conceived by Said, still operate in public discourse
about Asia in contemporary Australia?

2. What are the functions of ethnically-coded social spaces (e.g. Chinatown or Cabramatta? How
have they changed over time? Choose an Asia-oriented or located social space).

3. Choose one cultural genre (film, literature, art, music etc) and explore how the participation
and representation of Asian people has changed. What do these changes tell us about
Australia? Choose a timespan relevant to your particular genre.

4. How useful are Australian government initiatives for promoting Australia’s capacity to
engage with a rising Asia? Outline the key debates and issues and point to problems and
prospects.

5. How have Australian attitudes to national defense changed over the last century in relation
to Asia? What are the major paradigm shifts and what attitudes do they reflect?

6. How has Australian tourism to Asia changed over the past 60-70 years (or a time span of
your choice)? What ‘imaginings about Asia’ prompt Australians to become tourists to the
region?

7. What have been the main economic shifts in Australia’s relationship with Asia as a region, or
one country in the Asian region over the past 60-70 years? What broader changes do these
shifts reflect?

Research Briefing Papers

Assume that you are a Public Servant in a government department.
Your task is to prepare a 1800-2000 word report advising your government department on
one of the situations below. Format your document as if it was a briefing paper. You may
exceed the 2-page ideal for briefing papers if needed.

1. The state of “Asia Literacy” in Australia – how do we improve it?

2. Australia’s reputation in Asia – how do we improve it?
3. Asian immigration to Australia – how do we make it better benefit the nation?
4. Diversifying Australia’s trade to Asia – how do we do it?
5. Incorporating West Papua into Australia – is this a good plan?
6. Increasing tourism from Asia to Australia – how do we do it?
7. Increasing representation of Asians in the Australian public service/public media – how do we
do it?