Southeast Asia
Dr Gale Dixon
12 points
* 3 hours per week
* Second semester
* Clayton
*
Prerequisites: none
Objectives This subject is intended for students wanting to extend and deepen their knowledge about the Southeast Asian region. Drawing upon the range of subdisciplines within geography (such as biogeography, climatology, economic geography, geomorphology, historical geography), the subject allows students to develop a comprehensive view of major enduring qualities of the region as well as focus upon some of the current preoccupations. With supervision, students also pursue their own particular interest in the region by developing and researching their own topic, utilising the first class resources of the Southeast Asian collection in the Monash library.
Synopsis This subject examines the unique character of the region from Burma to the Philippines and from northern Vietnam to southern Indonesia. Of particular concern are the influences of South Asian, Chinese and European cultural infusions upon the indigenous peoples, and the ways in which blending of cultures helps explain the rich variety of the region. Emphasis is also given to differences in social and economic development in the recent past. So that this subject may complement the work students do in other courses, considerable latitude in essay topics and tutorial readings is allowed.
Assessment Written (4000 words): 45%
* Set-topic essay (1500 words):
25%
* Review of periodical literature (1000 words): 20%
* Examination
(1 hour qualifying only): does not contribute to mark
* Tutorial attendance
and participation: 10%
Recommended texts
Bellwood P Prehistory of the Indo-Malaysian Archipelago Academic Press, 1985
Clad J Behind the Myth: Business, money and power in Southeast Asia Unwin Hyman, 1989
Far Eastern Economic Review Asia 1997 yearbook Hong Kong, 1997
Fein J S and Stephens P L (eds) Monsoons Wiley, 1987
Forbes D Asian metropolis: Urbanisation in Southeast Asia OUP, 1996
Fryer D W Emerging Southeast Asia: A study in growth and stagnation 2nd edn, Philip, 1979
Lipton M and Longhurst R New seeds and poor people Unwin Hyman, 1989
Reid A Southeast Asia in the age of commerce, 1450 - 1680, Volume I: The lands below the winds Yale U P, 1988
Rigg J Southeast Asia: A region in transition Unwin Hyman, 1991
Whitmore T C (ed.) Biogeographical evolution of the Malay archipelago Clarendon, 1986
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