Not offered in 1999
Penelope Graham
8 points - 2 hours per week - Second semester - Clayton - Prohibition: COS3490
Objectives On completion of this subject, students should be able to demonstrate a grasp of central problems in the anthropological analysis of the Southeast Asian region; evaluate the contribution of selected ethnographies to our understanding of the historical and sociological complexity of the region; recognise and analyse a variety of tropes informing anthropological and sociological approaches to different areas of Southeast Asia; analyse representations of selected societies and cultures within the region for their relevance to broader issues of anthropological enquiry.
Synopsis This subject focuses on Southeast Asia through the ethnographic analyses of particular regions represented in the anthropological literature. It explores the characterisation of regions, cultures and societies according to an array of themes from ecology and economic livelihood to cosmology, ritual and religion, whilst considering issues of power, status, gender and pressures for social change.
Assessment Seminar participation: 10% - Book review (1000 words): 15% - First essay (2000 words): 30% - Second essay (3000 words): 45%
Recommended texts
Evans G (ed.) Asia's cultural mosaic: An anthropological
introduction Prentice Hall, 1993
Keyes C F The golden peninsula: Culture and adaptation in mainland Southeast
Asia reprint edn U Hawaii, 1995; original edn Macmillan, 1977
Osborne M Southeast Asia: An introductory history 6th edn Allen and
Unwin, 1995
Wolters O W History, culture, and region in Southeast Asian perspectives
Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 1982
A reading package of selected journal articles and book chapters will be
available from the department