How have recent economic and political transformations in the Asian region manifested themselves in popular culture? In what ways have the forces of globalisation and westernisation intersected with popular Indigenous and national traditions in the region? How much is everyday life in cities like Manila, Bangkok, Jakarta and Shanghai governed by the consumerism that seems to predominate in New York, Tokyo or Perth. This unit examines these questions in reference to popular ritual and entertainment, lifestyle and fashion, architecture and the media. It also explores the ways in which popular culture is shaped by class, gender, generational relations, rural–urban differences, contending... -- Course Website
Instructor: Professor Michael Pinches and Assistant Professor Romit Dasgupta
Prerequisites: any Level 1 Anthropology unit or any Level 1 Asian Studies unit or any Level 1 Asian language unit