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SPRING 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, 3 February 2012
- Elective Course Withdrawal ("W") Deadline for Part 1 classes: Friday, 10 February 2012
- Elective Course Withdrawal ("W") Deadline for semester-long classes: Friday, 17 February 2012
- Elective Course Drop/Add Deadline for Part 2 classes: Friday, 30 March 2012
- Elective Course Withdrawal ("W") Deadline for Part 2 classes: Thursday, 5 April 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.
- PART 1 Classes: Monday, 23 January to Friday, 16 March 2011
- PART 2 Classes: Monday, 19 March to Friday, 18 May 2011
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 primarliy 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 493 Selected Topics-Seminar on LAO PDR: The History, Politics and Challenges Facing Communist Authoritarianism in Transition (3 credits)-PART 1 class
The Lao (“Laos”) nation emerged as a social construct, grouping together various peoples under a common political identity. Lao muang begin to surface as early as the 7th Century CE. But from 1354 until 1828, Lan Xang flourished as one of the most powerful Mekong kingdoms. Eventually, this realm broke up and became dominated by her neighbors. The region became a colony called “Laos” under the French in 1893. Following World War II, Laos declared her independence but only achieved it in 1954. Decolonization brought new challenges, which included reconciling royalist-led reactionary forces with revolutionary elements. The country became embroiled in civil war until the communist “patet lao” revolutionaries achieved victory in 1975. Communist reforms brought distribution of wealth but there was little economic growth. The new Lao PDR received assistance from the USSR, China, and Vietnam. The end of the Cold War in 1991 meant that Lao would need to reconfigure its alliances.
Lao PDR today continues to suffer from deep socioeconomic challenges, intense regionalism, lack of infrastructure, and dependence on external economies. But Lao, though landlocked, is also “land-linked”—strategically situated—at the heart of the Mekong basin. Lao PDR represents a significant case study of an emerging developmental state, of bureaucratic authoritarianism in transition, of a buffer periphery which possesses natural resources and geographical location coveted by more powerful neighbors.
This course examines the evolution of Lao PDR—its history, politics, and economy, as well as the challenges facing her today. Prominent themes will include Buddhist kingship, communist dictatorship, environment, foreign relations, human rights, and the condition of minorities. How did Lao evolve to exist as a state today? How would one characterize the modern Lao polity? What might its future be? This course will examine these questions.
This course will include an optional one-week excursion to Lao which should experientially contribute to understanding Lao PDR. Additional cost for this excursion.
Lao PDR today continues to suffer from deep socioeconomic challenges, intense regionalism, lack of infrastructure, and dependence on external economies. But Lao, though landlocked, is also “land-linked”—strategically situated—at the heart of the Mekong basin. Lao PDR represents a significant case study of an emerging developmental state, of bureaucratic authoritarianism in transition, of a buffer periphery which possesses natural resources and geographical location coveted by more powerful neighbors.
This course examines the evolution of Lao PDR—its history, politics, and economy, as well as the challenges facing her today. Prominent themes will include Buddhist kingship, communist dictatorship, environment, foreign relations, human rights, and the condition of minorities. How did Lao evolve to exist as a state today? How would one characterize the modern Lao polity? What might its future be? This course will examine these questions.
This course will include an optional one-week excursion to Lao which should experientially contribute to understanding Lao PDR. Additional cost for this excursion.
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 dictatorship and democratization, globalization, decentralization, human rights, and Thailand’s position on the global/regional stage. Why is Thailand struggling to democratize? Exactly how consolidated is pluralism today and how imbedded are civil liberties? Why is there an insurgency in southern Thailand? What is the situation of ethnic minorities in the country? Why is Thailand economically ahead of many of its neighbors? This course will study these and other related questions.
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 dictatorship and democratization, globalization, decentralization, human rights, and Thailand’s position on the global/regional stage. Why is Thailand struggling to democratize? Exactly how consolidated is pluralism today and how imbedded are civil liberties? Why is there an insurgency in southern Thailand? What is the situation of ethnic minorities in the country? Why is Thailand economically ahead of many of its neighbors? This course will study these and other related questions.
SA 454 Political Sociology: Southeast Asian Politics (3 credits)-Semester-long 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.
HI 222 History of Mainland South East Asia: Thailand and Her Neighbors (3 credits)-PART 1 class
This course will address the colorful history of the peoples and cultures of mainland South East Asia, primarily focusing on Thailand but also covering Cambodia, Burma/Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam. Issues to be discussed include: geography, colonialism, ethnic divisions, the rise and fall of ancient empires in mainland South East Asia, nationalism and the effect of World War II on South East Asia.
CA 493 Selected Topics: Southeast Asian Cinema (3 credits)-PART 1 class
There are two ways to watch a film: one way is simply to take in the marvelous worlds built for us on the screen, and the other is to try to figure out how those worlds were put together. In this course we need to look both ways. Weekly film screenings in this course provide an overview of filmmaking around Southeast Asia, while class sessions offer the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of Southeast Asian cinema, and especially Thai cinema, through close study and analysis. Students will learn the basic vocabulary and approaches of film studies and learn how to employ these in viewing, studying, and discussing films.
MU 493 Selected Topics: Music Traditions of Southeast Asia (3 credits)-PART 2 class
This course is an introduction to music and the study of music in Southeast Asia with a particular emphasis on Thai music traditions. Previous experience in making or studying music is not required. Students will learn distinctively Southeast Asian approaches to working with the basic materials of music, and will learn about music’s place in society and culture in Southeast Asia. The course includes reading, listening, and research outside of class, with lecture, discussion, and performance exercises in class
