Southeast Asia is known for its role as an economic hub, as well as its political and cultural diversity. Students in the Southeast Asian Studies Major at ANU have access to a wide range of scholars and courses on language, history, cultures, and politics in the region. By completing coursework as prescribed by the Major, students will gain a deeper understanding of regional issues, such as power, globalization, ethnicity and gender, as well as processes and issues specific to their country or area of interest. These can include religious systems, economic networks and cross-cultural contact. Current strengths are in Indonesian, Burmese and Thai studies, and some of our staff also support work relating to other ethnic nationality and trans-border issues. In addition to developing a critical, analytical understanding of Southeast Asia, past and present, students gain significant knowledge and skills which will boost their qualifications for finding employment, or alternatively, further study for a higher degree program.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand and evaluate historical and current events and developments that have shaped Southeast Asia.
- Develop and apply critical thinking skills to contemporary socio-cultural and political systems of Southeast Asia, with detailed understanding of differing trajectories across Mainland and Island Southeast Asia.
- Analyse the global significance of events and developments across the Southeast Asian region.
- Understand the processes and disciplinary approaches through which current knowledge about Southeast Asian Studies has developed.
- Effectively argue and communicate about issues of regional cooperation and unity in the context of tensions in and among Southeast Asia's diverse traditions.
Areas of Interest
- Anthropology
- Cultural Studies
- History
- Asian Studies
- Security Studies
- Asia Pacific Studies
- Politics
Relevant Degrees
Requirements
The Southeast Asian Studies Major requires the completion of 48 units, which must include:
12 units from the following compulsory courses:
ASIA2041 Mainland Southeast Asia: Colonial and Postcolonial predicaments
ASIA3030 History of the State System in Southeast Asia
12 units from the following project, mobility, and internship courses:
ASIA3012 Readings in Asian Societies and Histories
ASIA3039 Research Project in Asian and Pacific Studies
ASIA3220 Asia-Pacific In-Country Learning (6-12 units)
24 units of courses from the following Area and discipline courses:
ARCH2050 Archaeology of Southeast Asia
ARTH2056 Art and Architecture of Southeast Asia: Tradition and Transformation
ASIA1035 Introduction to Asian Politics
ASIA1999 The Origins of the Political Order in Asia
ASIA2039 Burma/Myanmar - a Country in Crisis
ASIA2060 Southeast Asian Security
ASIA2067 Asian Economies
ASIA2088 Culture and Environment in Indonesia
ASIA2111 Indonesian Foreign and Security Policy
ASIA2120 Colonialism and the rule of Law
ASIA2167 Borders and their Transgressions in Mainland Southeast Asia
ASIA2275 The Pleasures and Power of Stories in South and Southeast Asia
ASIA2516 Indonesia: Politics, Society and Development
INDN3015 Advanced Indonesian: Translation into English
MEAS1002 Islam: History and Institutions
PHIL2012 Buddhist Philosophy
24 units from completion of the following course(s):
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ASIA1025 | Asia and the Pacific: Power, diversity and change | 6 |
| ASIA1030 | Asia and the Pacific in Motion | 6 |
| ASIA 2082: SEA Landscapes of Power | ||
| ASIA 2085: Southeast Asian History |
24 units from completion of the following course(s):
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH3014 | Indonesia Field School: Contemporary Change in Indonesia | 6 |
| ARCH2050 | Archaeology of Southeast Asia | 6 |
| ARTH 2056: Art & Arch of SE Asia | ||
| ASIA2001 | Language in Asia and the Pacific | 6 |
| ASIA2016 | The Mongol Empire in World History | 6 |
| ASIA 2020: Engaging Asia | ||
| ASIA 2027: Future of East Timor | ||
| ASIA2039 | Burma/Myanmar - a Country in Crisis | 6 |
| ASIA2041 | Mainland Southeast Asia: Colonial and Postcolonial Predicaments | 6 |
| ASIA2045 | Lies, Conspiracy and Propaganda | 6 |
| ASIA 2047: Human Security | ||
| ASIA2060 | Southeast Asian Security | 6 |
| ASIA 2069: Indonesia's Regions | ||
| ASIA 2070: Democracy in Southeast Asia | ||
| ASIA 2076: Thailand Study | ||
| ASIA 2108: Popular Cultures in Indonesia | ||
| ASIA 2165: Islam in SE Asia | ||
| ASIA2167 | Borders and their Transgressions in Mainland Southeast Asia | 6 |
| ASIA 2174: Mysticism | ||
| ASIA 2251: Buddhist Thought | ||
| ASIA 2413: Vietnam: Hist & Soc | ||
| ASIA 2517: Indonesia: Language, Media | ||
| ASIA 3006: Prac Assign in Asia Pacific | ||
| ASIA3012 | Readings in Asian Societies and Histories | 6 |
| ASIA 3013: Read Asian Soc & Hist_B | ||
| ASIA 3014: Southeast Asian Frontiers | ||
| ASIA 3026: Special Topics in Asia and Pac | ||
| ASIA 3028: Indonesia 1940-1950 | ||
| ASIA3030 | History of the State System in Southeast Asia | 6 |
| ASIA 3050: Asia & Pacific World Heritage | ||
| ASIA 3610: Globalising Southeast Asia | ||
| ASIA 4016: Asian Diasporas | ||
| ECON 3009: SE Asia Econ P & D (P) | ||
| ENVS2017 | Vietnam Field School | 6-12 |
| GEND 2031: Cinema in Southeast Asia | ||
| LANG 3023: Translation Workshop | ||
| LANG 3040: Critical Readings | ||
| LANG 4001: Translation in Asia | ||
| MUSM 2265: World Music Ensemble |
