Through historical examples from Vietnam, Burma, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia, this course will emphasise the study of mainland Southeast Asia in a comparative framework, with particular attention to political culture, the production of knowledge, concepts of 'civilisation', and emerging civil societies in the twentieth century.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Develop a critical analysis of historical transitions in Mainland Southeast Asia. 
2. Integrate understandings of Southeast Asian cultures within the broader notions of nation and nationalism. 
3. Deconstruct historical methods and approaches for studying Mainland Southeast Asian modern history
4. Discover, critique, and utilise new ways to approach studying historical events and processes. 
5. Demonstrate collaborative learning skills in group discussions

Research-Led Teaching

Associate Professor Jane M Ferguson teaches anthropology and Southeast Asian History. Primarily trained in ethnographic research methods, she has conducted fieldwork on topics of historical memory and ethnic identity among Shan insurgent soldiers and families at the Myanmar-Thai borderlands. This work was the foundation for her first book, Repossessing Shanland: Myanmar, Thailand, and a Nation-State Deferred. Further work on popular cultural practices informed the research for her second book, Silver Screens and Golden Dreams: A Social History of Burmese Cinema, a tour de force of the political economies and cultural importance of popular movie-making across six decades of Burmese history. Other research interests of Dr Ferguson's include ethnic histories, popular music, and passenger aviation.

Additional Course Costs

Course textbook, Owen, Norman. ed. 2015. The Emergence of Modern Southeast Asia. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press.

Required Resources

Course textbook, Owen, Norman. ed. 2015. The Emergence of Modern Southeast Asia. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to Subject and Region: Mainland Southeast Asia
2	Religion and History, thinking about cultural foundations	Short Essay #1 Reading Response Due
3	European Colonial Interests in Mainland Southeast Asia Part 1: Burma
4	European Colonial Interests in Mainland Southeast AsiaPart 2: Siam and Indochina
5	Colonial Image, Colonial Styling and Aesthetic Nationalism
6	Exile, Anti-Colonial Nationalism, Burma and Vietnam
7	Nationalism, Empire, and Discipline
8	Burma and Vietnam; Nationalism and Socialism?
9	Cold War, Nationalism and Resistance
10	Independence/History Revisited	Short Essay #2 Due
11	Changing Politics Changing Activism
12	Mainland Southeast Asia in Our Times: Milk Tea Alliance or Democratic Backsliding	Final Essay Due during Examination Period

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Participation and in-class reading presentations	20 %	*	26/11/2025	1, 2, 3, 4
Critical Reading Response, Short Essay #1	20 %	31/07/2025	08/08/2025	1, 2, 3, 4
Short Essay #2	30 %	08/10/2025	17/10/2025	1, 2, 3, 4
Final Exam and Reflective Essay	30 %	06/11/2025	16/11/2025	1, 2, 3, 4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

See above.

Examination(s)

There will be no formal sat exam for this course.

Assessment Task 1

Participation and in-class reading presentations

Active participation in class is an assessment item. Participation points include a short reading presentations to your peers, and active engagement with reading question passed out at every class. Please make an arrangement with your instructor if you think that you may require an alternative assessment for participation. These will be measured as evidence of advance sign-up on canvas, oral class presentation, and for the daily discussion question, writing in pen or pencil on the paper slips upon which the question of the day is distributed and retrieved (20%).

Assessment Task 2

Critical Reading Response, Short Essay #1

Students will author one 500-word analytical response to the introductory readings. (20%).

Assessment Task 3

Short Essay #2

This is a 1000 word essay assignment, posted on Canvas, which requires students reflect on and critically engage with a question about the content of the assigned readings (30%).

Assessment Task 4

Final Exam and Reflective Essay

The final take-home exam totals 1100 words and engages the required readings and topics covered in class. It is both about the historical content of the course as well as students' reflections on their learning process (30%).

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

All efforts will be made to return written assignments within one week of the due date, though in cases where an extension is granted, reasonable additional marking time will apply.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students