GES3710

Southeast Asia

Dr Gale Dixon

12 points
* 3 hours per week
* Second semester
* Clayton

Objectives This subject is intended for students wanting an introduction to the Southeast Asian region. Drawing upon the range of sub-disciplines in geography such as biogeography, climatology, economic geography, geomorphology and historical geography, the subject allows students to view the major enduring qualities of the region as well as focus upon some of the current preoccupations. With supervision, students also pursue their particular interest in the region by developing and researching their own essay topic, utilising the first-class resources of the Southeast Asian collection in the Monash library. A review of two geography texts develops an appreciation of alternative approaches to understanding the region.

Synopsis This subject examines the unique character of the region from Burma to the Philippines and from northern Vietnam to Irian Jaya. Of particular concern are the influences of the 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. In order to complement the work students are undertaking in other courses, considerable latitude in essay topics and tutorial readings is allowed.

Assessment Written (5500 words): 70%
* Examinations (2 hours): 20%
* Tutorial: 10%
* Students doing this subject at third-year level will be expected to complete work of a higher standard than at second-year level.

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 1998 Yearbook FEER, 1998
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 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 vols 1 and 2, Yale U P, 1988, 1993
Rigg J Southeast Asia: A region in transition Unwin Hyman, 1991
Whitmore T C (ed.) Biogeographical evolution of the Malay archipelago Clarendon, 1986