Introduces students to issues in the study of Asian performance and a representative sample of Asian performance genres as well as the cultural aesthetics that inform them. Case studies and ‘experiences’ of attending or performing particular genres in the performance laboratory will be discussed and analysed in the context of intercultural translation. This will include issues such as: What is ‘performance’? How do we read, understand and experience performances from other cultures? How do we translate performances? What are issues of inter-cultural performances? It is planned to include lectures and workshops by visiting artists as well as by lecturers in the Faculty of Asian Studies and the Faculty of Arts. The semester will conclude with a public performance by students based on their work in the performance laboratory.

Written assessment consisting of a synthesis essay and an ethnographic report of a performance (60%); performance components (40%).

One year of tertiary Asian language study or equivalent; or any Later Year Course from the Faculty of Arts; or by permission from coordinator.

Miller, Terry E., and Williams, Sean (eds). The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music: Southeast Asia, 1998.

Lindsay, Jennifer. Javanese Gamelan: Traditional Orchestra in Indonesia, 1992.