SOUTHEAST ASIA IN COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE

This course takes a comparative approach to the region of Southeast Asia (SEA). It is designed to introduce participants to the region and to provide them with a deep understanding of its history, development, critical junctures and current challenges. SEA is a diverse and dynamic region - culturally, economically and politically. Over the past several decades the region has seen enormous economic growth but was also severely affected by the Asian financial crisis of 1997/98. Recently, some of the countries have been democratized, but all have their experience with authoritarian rule. It is a very dynamic region. Hence, the course will try to make sense of these dynamics. The course will examine the history of the region and look closely at critical junctures for the development of individual countries of SEA. In order provide participants with a broad knowledge of the countries in the region a country analysis of each country in the region will be carried out: Brunei, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam. Most of the countries in SEA are members of ASEAN. Therefore, the course will give an overview over the development of regionalism in SEA and the role which ASEAN plays in the economic and political integration of the region. One of the main objectives of this course is to provide participants with a firm understanding of the roots of modern day SEA. The historical analysis of SEA will involve the role which key figures played for the trajectory which the development in the region has taken over the last half century.

Upon completion of the course, students will have ◦ developed knowledge and a detailed understanding of the dynamics of Southeast Asia ◦ acquired specialized knowledge about the countries in the region ◦ learned about regionalism and regional integration in SEA

Active participation is expected. Each student is expected to visit the office hour of the instructor at least once during the semester.

No previous knowledge required.

Upon completion of the course, students will have ◦ gained the ability to think comparatively ◦ have formed an idea of the developmental state of SEA ◦ be able to assess the future challenges of SEA