Arts for Transformation: The Case of Cambodia

Catalog description

How can arts and culture drive transformation and healing in post-conflict societies? And how can they contribute to heritage preservation, historical narrative shaping, and contemporary expression in such settings? This course explores the role of the arts in reconstruction, revitalization, reconciliation and peacebuilding. We will examine the methods and tools that prove successful and consider why other approaches fail. Using Cambodia's complex history as a case study, we will investigate how shifting narratives, cultural governance, social welfare, and the cultural economy intersect to shape the arts ecosystem. Through meetings with local artists in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap; site visits from the World Heritage site of Angkor temple complex to the Tuol Sleng Genocide museum, students will gain insight into the social, cultural, economic, and political factors that shape and drive Cambodia's dynamic and transformative arts scene. This course will be offered in January-Term 2026. This course will be taught in Cambodia and will count as an Away J-Term course.