An effort is made to acquaint students with the principal polities of the region, with particular attention to Indonesia, and to Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. An effort is also made to acquaint students with the principal cross-cutting issues of a comparative nature that the political systems of the region present, with a general orientation toward political economy and the contemporary experience. Readings are selected with an eye toward acquainting students with some of the principle contributors to the contemporary literature. The introduction to the research and writing is provided principally in the form of individual counseling and the preparation and review of two papers. An effort is made to acquaint students with topic selection, with relevant data sources, and with professional standards of analysis and exposition.
Additional material is recommended for further reading.
Several participants are expected each week to read this additional material and make oral presentations on it to the class. Oral presentations must be limited to 10 minutes, and must be based on a typed outline that is brought to the class in sufficient quantity for each member of the class to receive one. Presentations are expected to reflect selectivity of material for presentation. Some critical assessment is looked for as well. In view of the size and variability of the region, and in the interest of acquiring a background sufficient for research, students are advised to read more deeply on a selective basis.