Rise of Modern Southeast Asia

Catalog description

This course looks at Southeast Asia from the rise of early empires to the present. Beginning with the great empires of Southeast Asia this course surveys the rise of Southeast Asian politics, culture and society before examining the colonial period when the region was dominated by European imperial powers, and concluding with the formation of the modern-day nations of Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines. As part of this discussion, issues of Indianization, colonization, life under Japanese during World War II, and the way in which Cold War politics shaped the region. By the end of the course, students should have a firm understanding of changes in Southeast Asia and be able to assess these historical factors that shaped the current societies.