FALL 2012 ACADEMIC COURSE LISTINGS
The educational component of the Thai and Southeast Asian Studies Program is based on 2 required core-courses in Globalization and South East Asia and Thai language, as well as elective courses that students can choose from depending upon their particular interests.
- Please note that each credit hour corresponds to 15 hours of instruction. A 3.0 credit course involves 45 hours of instruction.
- **All students must enroll in a minimum of 12 credits and maximum of 15 credits per semester.**
- Elective Course Drop/Add Deadline for Part 1 classes: Friday, 31 August 2012
- Elective Course Withdrawal ("W") Deadline for Part 1 classes: Friday, 7 September 2012
- Elective Course Withdrawal ("W") Deadline for semester-long classes: Friday, 14 September 2012
- Elective Course Drop/Add Deadline for Part 2 classes: Friday, 2 November 2012
- Elective Course Withdrawal ("W") Deadline for Part 2 classes: Friday, 9 November 2012
- Note: Students cannot withdraw from a course if doing so will mean that they have less than the required 12 credits. Required classes, of course, cannot be dropped. Students electing to drop a course later than the withdrawal ("W" on transcript) deadline will receive a failing grade on their transcript.
- Orientation Week: 13-17 August 2012
- PART 1 Classes: Monday, 20 August to Friday, 12 October 2012
- Fall Break: Saturday, 13 October to Tuesday, 23 October 2012
- PART 2 Classes: Wednesday, 24 October to Friday, 14 December 2012
SA 268 Globalization and South East Asia (3 credits)-REQUIRED-Semester-long class
The course utilizes the unique location and resources of Chiang Mai to learn more about contemporary efforts to address the “social fallout” of globalization, and will investigate the current impacts of globalization in South East Asia primarily through the lenses of history, politics and economics.
This course begins with an introduction to various discourses of “globalization” and how they relate to the current situation in South East Asia. The formation and function(s) of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and regionalism will be discussed.
The course will then concentrate on the history of colonialism in SE Asia and the factors that have shaped the history of globalization in this region in the post-colonial era. Utilizing “Northern Thailand” as a case study for consideration, three themes will be particularly emphasized: 1) Thailand during the period of colonialism and modernization; 2) social/cultural transformations, including changes in the village economy; and 3) responses of the people to globalization (e.g. self-sufficiency economy led by Thailand’s king as well as so-called “purified” Buddhism).
The course will then wrap-up looking at discourses of globalization and democracy in SE Asia. Amidst the increasing wave of democratic consolidation, the growth of decentralization in many countries, and the apparent triumph of Western liberalization, how has SE Asia reacted to these global phenomena? What is the state of democratization, decentralization and political “modernization” in SE Asia today? To what extent have there been obstacles or backlashes to these processes?
This course begins with an introduction to various discourses of “globalization” and how they relate to the current situation in South East Asia. The formation and function(s) of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and regionalism will be discussed.
The course will then concentrate on the history of colonialism in SE Asia and the factors that have shaped the history of globalization in this region in the post-colonial era. Utilizing “Northern Thailand” as a case study for consideration, three themes will be particularly emphasized: 1) Thailand during the period of colonialism and modernization; 2) social/cultural transformations, including changes in the village economy; and 3) responses of the people to globalization (e.g. self-sufficiency economy led by Thailand’s king as well as so-called “purified” Buddhism).
The course will then wrap-up looking at discourses of globalization and democracy in SE Asia. Amidst the increasing wave of democratic consolidation, the growth of decentralization in many countries, and the apparent triumph of Western liberalization, how has SE Asia reacted to these global phenomena? What is the state of democratization, decentralization and political “modernization” in SE Asia today? To what extent have there been obstacles or backlashes to these processes?
ITH 101 Thai Language (3 credits)-REQUIRED-PART 1 class
An introduction to spoken and written Thai. The emphasis is on spoken language competency
as it relates to daily life: pronunciation and listening comprehension with additional skills in
elementary reading and writing. The course is designed for students with no prior knowledge of
Thai language. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to communicate effectively,
utilizing everyday spoken Thai and should be able to read consonants, vowels, simple words
and short sentences.
NOTE: Students can elect to take an additional 3 credits of Thai (ITH 102) during PART 2 of the semester for a total of 6 credits (90 contact hours).
as it relates to daily life: pronunciation and listening comprehension with additional skills in
elementary reading and writing. The course is designed for students with no prior knowledge of
Thai language. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to communicate effectively,
utilizing everyday spoken Thai and should be able to read consonants, vowels, simple words
and short sentences.
NOTE: Students can elect to take an additional 3 credits of Thai (ITH 102) during PART 2 of the semester for a total of 6 credits (90 contact hours).
HI 211 Social and Cultural History of Thailand (3 credits)-Part 1 class
This course will introduce students to Thai society and culture by providing a historical perspective on its development over the centuries. We will examine the colorful history of the peoples and cultures of the Kingdom of Thailand, formerly known as Siam. Issues to be discussed include: geography, the rise and fall of ancient kingdoms in Siam, the encounter with the West, ethnic peoples, Thai social customs, regional (particularly Lanna or Northern Thai) histories, and other important influences on the development of Thai society and culture.
SA 462 Government and Politics of Thailand (3 credits)-Semester-long class
The Thai nation emerged as a social construct, grouping together various peoples under a common political identity. Since World War II, the country gradually stabilized, both politically and economically. Thailand today has fast emerged as a thriving economy, an evolving constitutional monarchy, and an increasingly important player in the regional politics of Southeast Asia as well as an actor on the larger world stage. As such, Thailand represents a significant case study of a "second generation" developmental state, following Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea.
This course examines the evolution of Thai governmental structures as well as Thailand’s political and socioeconomic development over the last 75 years. Prominent themes will include key democratic institutions (political parties and elections) as well as the role of civil society in the democratization process. A short section will also examine Thailand's crisis today and its contentious issues.
This course examines the evolution of Thai governmental structures as well as Thailand’s political and socioeconomic development over the last 75 years. Prominent themes will include key democratic institutions (political parties and elections) as well as the role of civil society in the democratization process. A short section will also examine Thailand's crisis today and its contentious issues.
SA 454 Political Sociology: Southeast Asian Politics (3 credits)-Semester-long class
This course is an introduction to the politics of Southeast Asia. Since Southeast Asia has long been regarded as a diverse and dynamic region politically,economically, and culturally, the course is designed to incorporate several major themes such as colonialism, nationalism, state formation, regime change, political and economic development, regionalism so that the students will have a broad understanding of political dynamics of the region.In addition, the course will provide country specific-examples, which will be in accordance with those key themes. The first half of the course provide a historical background of the region while the second half of the course will focus on contemporary issues in the region.
EC 401 The Economics of the Sex Industry in South East Asia (3 credits) -PART 2 class
This course will examine the 'oldest' industry in the world from an economics perspective, within the Southeast Asia region. Specifically, the course will investigate cultural and religious factors of this region and how these factors may influence the demand side and supply side of the market. Other topics covered in the course include the market structure, government regulation and the resulting policy implications. Special topics unique to the regions such as child prostitution, human trafficking for the purpose of prostitution, and sex tourism will also be discussed.
