This course offers a comparative analysis of Chinese communities in Southeast Asian countries. The nature and position of the Chinese communities are examined through their settlement processes, the relationship between Chinese financial cliques and the national economy, networks among Chinese companies, and the cultural identity of the Chinese communities and national integration. The course deals with contemporary issues of international relations in the post-Cold War era. Through analysis of literature and artistic work from this region, this course explores aspects of Southeast Asian culture. Students examine how socio-cultural traditions of Southeast Asia are represented and created in various artistic genres such as novels, drama, architecture, and dance.
Students also look at current popular culture to study changes in Southeast Asian societies.
This course offers an in-depth study of various social issues which Southeast Asian societies are facing currently. Whenever possible, foreign professors are invited as lecturers for the course, and newspapers and periodicals are actively utilized. This course gives students an opportunity to conduct directed research with an academic advisor to write a thesis on a specific topic. All rights reserved. Please leave your comments or suggestions about this home page to the SIAS Webmaster .