Southeast Asian Societies

Synopsis

Southeast Asian societies are extraordinarily diverse and dynamic. To help students make sense of the multifaceted political, economic, and social developments of the region, SOC367 Southeast Asian Societies will cover selected key thematic issues, including legacies of colonisation and the Cold War period, nation-building, political economies of development, ethnic and religious diversity, kinship, family and gender systems, as well as major political, economic, and social issues of today. We will examine the region’s continuing struggles over democratisation, national identity, and uneven development. The main readings will include key works from a multidisciplinary range of fields covering sociology, anthropology, geography, political science, history, and economics.

Level: 3
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: EVERY JAN

Topics

Introduction: The invention of SEA as a social space
Colonialism and colonialisms
Nationalism and nationalisms
Nation and ethnicity
Religion and the state
Political economy
Environment
Class and stratification
Gender stratification
Age/generation stratification
Migration
Urbanisation

Learning Outcome

Examine colonialisms, nationalisms, and nation-state building in the region
Analyse political systems and reform in the region
Discuss the major economic and social challenges in the region
Apply course content to understand contemporary political and social developments in the region
Evaluate the many ways different Southeast Asian states address various social and political issues
Demonstrate skills in sociological thinking and written and spoken expression

Part-time Programmes / CET Courses

Singapore University of Social Sciences

Southeast Asian Societies