An overarching argument of the course has been that the experience of modernity across Asia has been fundamentally uneven and contradictory. Thus, for instance, modernity has brought a generalized desire for equality, while also putting in place increasing economic inequality or reinforcing older forms of inequality in new ways; it has given us a framework of universal human rights at the same time as enabling nationalisms for which the strength of the nation-state and its global aspirations outweigh the rights and claims of its members. In particular, we have seen that modernity / modernization poses special problems as well as opportunities for subaltern groups.
You should use 2 sources provided to think about the issue or topic of your interest, and then develop your inquiry using 5other sources (books or journal articles, news stories, blogs, interviews, policy papers, databases). At least two of these other sources should be a scholarly article or book. To clarify, this means that you should have a minimum of 7 sources in total. Proper citation practices have been adopted, and the bibliography is organized alphabetically by author’s family name
The essay will be marked using the following criteria:
The theme or question chosen draws on the course and speaks to contemporary events or issues There is an argument that is backed with evidence
Sources selected are appropriate and of good quality
The paper shows an engagement with the readings/ other sources, and doesn’t just list them
The paper is properly structured, with an introduction laying out the question, concern, or issue and the argument to be made, and a conclusion summarizing the main arguments; the body of the paper
builds systematically upon the ideas in the introduction and is not just a set of unconnected assertions
The writing is clear and coherent
Attention has been paid to: editing for typos and spelling errors, a creative title, page numbers, word count