Prospectus

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Politics of Southeast Asia

Course
2011-2012

Admission requirements

Completion of first year TCZZOA. Students with other backgrounds may, however, be admitted at the lecturer’s discretion.

Description

In the last fifty years, Southeast Asia has been transformed from a theatre of war and conflict to one of the most peaceful regions of the world; from fragmentation and hostility to increasingly effective unity under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN); and from poverty and backwardness to rapidly rising levels of prosperity and technological modernity.

This progress has been achieved largely under authoritarian or semi-authoritarian regimes, and in terms of human rights the situation in most parts of the region is still poor. Other major problems include the wholesale destruction of natural environments, rising levels of economic inequality, and the persistence of one regime – in Burma – which is neither democratic, nor effective in reducing poverty.

This course offers an informative overview of the politics of the whole region, now and in recent decades, and a critical review of the theories and conclusions developed in relation to Southeast Asian politics by informed writers from inside and outside the region. Key concepts include: nationalism, traditionalism, developmentalism, authoritarianism, populism, Islamism, and civility.

Course objectives

This course aims to give students a good understanding of Southeast Asia’s political history in the last fifty years, and an ability to discuss in an informed way major issues in the current politics of the region.

Timetable

See the website

Mode of instruction

Lectures and seminars

140 hours in total for 5 ECs, of which 24 hours of lectures/student seminars and the remainder to be spent on reading (average of 4 hours a week) and preparing for one assignment and seminar presentation, and the final examination.

Assessment method

40 percent assignment and presentation
60 percent final examination

Blackboard

Blackboard page available

Reading list

To be announced

Registration

Registration via Usis is required

Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Study in Leiden website for information on how to apply.

Contact information

David Henley

Remarks