The aim of this core course is to examine the concept of 'Southeast Asia'. While some individual governments in the region support the notion of a 'natural' regional grouping, there are alternative views. Indeed, there is considerable scholarly debate concerning the usefulness of the concept.


The arguments martialled in such debate will be examined with attention given to their implications for our understanding of the region. The course will also examine the ways in which various academic disciplines (history, political science, security studies, cultural studies, gender studies, etc.) locate their concerns and investigations within an area studies' framework.

The course will be presented through two one-and-a-half hour meetings each week. Assessment will be discussed at the first meeting.

Tutorial presentations - 40%, Journal – 30%, Essay – 30%.

Emmerson, Donald. 1984. 'Southeast Asia - What's in a Name?' Journal of Southeast Asian Studies 15(1) March, pp. 1-21.
Wolters, O.W. 1999. History, Culture and Region in Southeast Asian Perspectives, rev. ed. Singapore: ISEAS
Mohamed Halib and Tim Huxley (eds.) 1996. An Introduction to Southeastern Asian Studies, London: Tauris Academic Studies