TRANSNATIONAL STUDIES FOR EAST ASIA: TOOLS, METHODS, RESEARCH OBJECTS

Put most simply, theories are metaphors that frame how we look at the specific subjects we study. In this course we read excerpts of contemporary theoretical texts and discuss how they apply to the regions we are studying (China, Japan, Korea). In the second half, we study research methods. There are many ways how to study a given topic and we need to make a choice. This choice and the rationalization for a specific method is called methodology. We need to consider which methods fits best to (1) our theoretical perspective and (2) the aim of our research. Any academic study involves choices with regard to theory and methodology. In this course you learn about important contemporary theoretical perspectives (what to study and why) and methodologies (how to study it), but you will also be enabled to apply this to East Asia. You will also learn to pay attention to theoretical and methodological choices of academic texts that you will be reading in the course of studies.

When studying at the Master level, it is no longer sufficient to "study" in the simplest definition of the term, e.g., spend time thinking, reading and writing. You now need a plan. Theory, methods and methodology are the principle building blocks to come up with such a plan. By participating in this course, you will become able to design, plan and realize an academic project due to your knowledge in theory, methods and methodology.

You are required to read the assigned texts, discuss them in class and endeavor to transfer the knowledge of these texts on study issues you are interested in. Learning is not passive in this course (memorize and repeat for an exam). You need to apply your knowledge in creative but constructive ways.

Our course is composed of four thematic blocks which include the following thematic sessions:

I. Preliminaries, research ethics, and intellectual orientation
1. Introduction to the topic of the course
2. Proposal writing and project development
3. State of the art and research ethics
4. Defining your worldview

II: Doing research in area studies
5. Area Studies and disciplines
6. Qualitative approaches
7. Quantitative approaches
8. Analyzing data

III. Being critical in area studies
9: Critical studies: Purposes and benefits
10. Where does the knowledge come from? Looking north, looking south
11. The diversification of diversity
12. Cool rules: Ethnicity as design

IV. Project presentation
13. / 14. / 15. Student presentations

Connell, Raewyn (2007) Southern Theory. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Derichs, Claudia (2020) "Area Studies and Disciplines: What Disciplines and what Areas?" International Quarterly of Asian Studies 51(3/4): 35-49.
Maher, John C. (2005) "Metroethnicity, Language, and the Principle of Cool". International Journal of the Sociology of Language 175/176: 83-102.
Thomas, Jim (1993) Doing Critical Ethnography. Newbury Park: Sage.
Vertovec, Steven (200/) "Super-Diversity and its Implications". Ethnic and Racial Studies 30(6): 1024-1054.

There will be no written exam in this course. In its place, participants are required to develop a research project that includes research question, theory, method and work plan. Your project will be discussed and graded.

oral

The maximum vote for this course is 30. The points are allocated as follows:
5 points for originality and research question of the project
5 points for brief state-of-the art review of their field of study
5 points for theoretical and methodological considerations
5 points for work plan and positionality
5 points for written style, coherence and readability of the research proposal
5 points for feasibility of the project

Reading, discussion, and structured knowledge transfer are the principal activities in this course. Active participation and group work are required.

The principle language used in this course is English but we can switch to Italian whenever necessity requires it.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Poverty and inequalities" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development