Southeast Asia Since 1800

SOUTHEAST ASIA SINCE 1800

This course is an introduction to the history of Southeast Asia in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. We will examine political, social, and economic transformations, with particular attention to decolonization and globalization throughout the region. We will approach the modern history of Southeast Asia through the reading of historical documents, scholarly writings, and novels, as well as through the viewing of documentaries.

Assessment for the course will be based on the following: (1) regular attendance and participation in class discussions; (2) two short papers, 5 pages each; (3) two one-hour tests. There will not be a final. Topics for the discussions and papers will be announced in class.

Grades for the course will be based on the following percentages:

Hour test # 1 (Mar 5)15 %

Paper #1 (Mar 19)25 %

Hour test #2 (Apr 25)15 %

Paper # 2 (Apr 30)25 %

Class participation20 %

The following books required for the course are available at the UNC Student Store:

Clive J. Christie, Southeast Asia in the Twentieth Century (1998).

Clive J.Christie, A Modern History of Southeast Asia (2000).

Pramoedya Ananta Toer, This Earth of Mankind (Penguin).

Duong Thu Huong, Paradise of the Blind (Penguin).

Pasuk Phongpaichit and Chris Baker, Thailand’s Boom and Bust (1998).

Week 1

Jan 8 Introduction to the course.

Jan 10 SEA before 1800.

Reading: Christie, SEA in the 20th c., 1-11.

Week 2

Jan 15Colonialism in SEA.

Jan 17Documentary: Kings and Coolies.

Reading: Christie, SEA in the 20th c., 12-81; Christie, A Modern History, 1-13.

Week 3

Jan 22 Anti-colonialism.

Jan 24 Nationalism.

Reading: Pramoedya, This Earth, 9-179.

Week 4

Jan 29 Pramoedya’s vision of “Indonesia”.

Jan 31Discussion.

Reading: Pramoedya, This Earth, 180-363.

Week 5

Feb 5World War II and the Japanese in SEA.

Feb 7Documentary: Freedom or Death.

Reading: Christie, SEA in the 20th c., 82-114.

Week 6

Feb 12 Revolution and independence.

Feb 14Discussion.

Reading: Christie, SEA in the 20th c., 115-211.

Week 7

Feb 19Decolonization and separatism.

Feb 21Documentary: VietnamMission: Fifty Years Among the Montagnards.

Reading: Christie, A Modern, 25-126.

Week 8

Feb 26Discussion.

Feb 28Review.

Week 9

Mar 5Test #1.

Mar 7NO CLASS.

Spring Break: March 8-18

Week 10

Mar 19Islamic separatism. Paper #1 due.

Mar 21Documentary: Islamic Resurgence and Holy War: The Former Soviet Union and Indonesia.

Reading: Christie, A Modern, 127-90.

Week 11

Mar 26Discussion.

Mar 28The Cold War era.

Reading: Christie, SEA in the 20th c., 212-80.

Week 12

Apr 2Documentary: The New Order.

Apr 4“Development”.

Reading: Pasuk and Baker, Thailand’s Boom, 1-126.

Week 13

Apr 9Paradise of the blind.

Apr 11Discussion.

Reading: Duong Thu Huong, Paradise of the Blind.

Week 14

Apr 16Globalization.

Apr 18Discussion.

Reading: Pasuk and Baker, Thailand’s Boom, 127-215, 281-330.

Week 15

Apr 23Review.

Apr 25Test #2.

Week 16

Apr 30Final comments. Paper # 2 due.

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