Admission requirements
None.
Description
In recent decades, the countries of South and Southeast Asia have gone through a period of rapid economic growth and democratization. But they also face many problems and challenges, from gross socioeconomic inequality to violent religious extremism. This course examines the social, political and economic landscapes of the southern rim of Asia. It pays particular attention to the paradoxes of democratization, asking what has made democracy resilient over more than 60 years of independence in the largest country of the region, India, but chronically fragile in others - for instance, Pakistan and Thailand - and almost unknown in a few, such as Vietnam. A related theme will be the politics of underprivileged, minority and ethnic groups, whether pursued through democratic institutions, or by means of armed rebellions such as the Naxalite insurgency in India. Attention will be also be given to the dynamics of economic development, in particular the preconditions for pro-poor growth and the reasons for the divergent economic performances of the countries in the region. Interactions between religion and politics, such as Hindutva (Hindu nationalism) in India, political Buddhism in Sri Lanka, and the Islamization of the public sphere in Indonesia and Malaysia, will be addressed in comparative perspective. The evolution of civil society and non-government organizations in the various countries will be outlined, and its political implications assessed. Finally, likely scenarios for the social, political and economic future of South and Southeast Asia will be considered.
Course objectives
To equip students with a basic knowledge of the political and economic challenges faced by countries in South and Southeast Asia since the end of the colonial period.
To enable students to think and write critically about practices of democracy, development, and social justice in a variety of settings.
Timetable
Visit MyTimetable.
Mode of instruction
Lecture
Assessment method
Assessment
Written assignments and final examination (essay questions).
Weighing
Written assignments: 40%
Final examination: 60%
Resit
In order to pass the course, students must obtain an overall mark of 5.50 (=6) or higher. A resit of the final examination (60%) is possible.
The course is an integrated whole. The final examination and the assignments must be completed in the same academic year. No partial marks can be carried over into following years.
Exam review
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
There is no single course textbook. Literature will be specified in the course syllabus.
Registration
Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis is available on the website
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Choose from the options below:
Registration Studeren à la carte
Registration Contractonderwijs
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar. * For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Vrieshof
Remarks
Students with disabilities
The university is committed to supporting and accommodating students with disabilities as stated in the university protocol (especially pages 3-5). Students should contact Fenestra Disability Centre at least four weeks before the start of their courses to ensure that all necessary academic accomodations can be made in time conform the abovementioned protocol.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to be familiar with Leiden University policies on plagiarism and academic integrity. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. If you submit any work with your name affixed to it, it is assumed to be your own work with all sources used properly indicated and documented in the text (with quotations and/or citations).