This course will promote understanding of Southeast Asian countries that are deeply connected with Japan. It will introduce an overview of people, societies, politics and cultures of the region from various perspectives. We will address the themes, closely related to current social problems, such as the history of colonial rules, the formation of nation-states, the development dictatorship systems, environmental problems. The aim of this course is to promote cross-cultural understanding, which is essential for living in a global society, and to foster a spirit of tolerance for differences. Through learning about Southeast Asia, students are expected to recognize various ways of living and thinking, which will lead them to collaboration with others.
Students will acquire the following skills from taking this course.
1) Understanding that Southeast Asia hold diverse cultures, religions and their own history, and it has developed in its own way with unique characteristics.
2) Understanding the diverse problems of a global society from various perspectives.
3) Skills for smooth communication with others, using the knowledge acquired.
Southeast Asia, ASEAN, Area Studies, Cross-cultural understanding, Global society
Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Students will submit a reaction paper in each class.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Introduction | To be announced in each class |
Class 2 | Religions and Cultures in Southeast Asia | To be announced in each class |
Class 3 | History of colonial rules and the formation of nation-state | To be announced in each class |
Class 4 | The development dictatorship systems and their legacies | To be announced in each class |
Class 5 | Environmental problems | To be announced in each class |
Class 6 | Conflicts in ASEAN Countries | To be announced in each class |
Class 7 | The way to democracy | To be announced in each class |
Class 8 | Conclusion | To be announced in each class |
none required
Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism, (Revised edition, 2006). Course materials are provided during class.
Students will be assessed on their commitment to the class (by response cards and discussion) (40%) and a final essay (60%).
none required