ATS3607 - Nationalism and revolution in Southeast Asia

The unit aims to provide students with a thorough knowledge of the development of nationalism in at least two Southeast Asian colonies during the early twentieth century and a comparative understanding of the way in which these movements developed into revolutionary struggle and led to eventual independence from colonial rule. The unit aims to develop an awareness of the rich complexity of cultural and political change in this period of anti-colonial struggle and to consider theoretical work on nationalism and cultural change in the context of these specific historical examples. The unit also aims to develop skills in both independent research and writing and collaborative research and oral presentation. Specifically, students successfully completing this unit will be expected to demonstrate:

1. Familiarity with major historical developments in the selected Southeast Asian historical contexts during the first half of the twentieth century;
2. An understanding of the role and impact of western imperialism in Southeast Asia and the nature of local reactions to foreign intrusion;
3. An appreciation of the nature and impact of colonial constructions of Southeast Asian peoples and the long term political, economic and cultural consequences of these attitudes;
4. An understanding of the manner in which local cultural identity was defined and redefined in the face of colonial intrusion;
5. A thorough knowledge of the character and impact of nationalist and revolutionary thought in twentieth century Southeast Asia;
6. A critical understanding of the role and impact of western ideas in Southeast Asia in the early twentieth century and an appreciation of the nature of local restatements of these ideas;
7. A critical understanding of the major issues and debates found in the existing historiography;
8. An advanced understanding of the values and cultural perspectives embodied in the western language and indigenous documents studied in the unit, including enhanced skills in the critical and analytical reading of a variety of texts, including contemporary documents, historical scholarship and visual representations;
9. The development of advanced skills in source criticism, critical reading, oral presentation and research and writing;
10. Enhanced skills in the formulation and development of an independent research project including the location and critical analysis of relevant documentary sources.