Introduces students to forms and genres of popular cultures in Southeast Asian region, how these mass-mediated cultures have evolved in their social, economic and political settings, and what roles they play in the formation of identity, history, and community of the people in the region. Students will be provided with concepts and approaches to analyze popular cultures and equipped with skills to write ethnographic and analytical reports on certain genres of popular culture. Through a critical examination of various samples of popular cultures, students will be asked to investigate the interrelationship between popular culture and the local, national, and supra-national cultures. The investigation will lead to a discussion on popular cultures in the context of identity politics, hegemony, resistance, modernity, consumption, and globalisation.

A synthesis essay and an ethnographic report on a certain genre of popular culture.

One year of tertiary Asian language study or equivalent; or any Later Year Course from the Faculty of Arts; or permission by coordinator.

Lockard, Craig A. Dance of Life: Popular Music and Politics in Southeast Asia,  Honolulu: Hawai’i University Press, 1998.