This course surveys the main issues of Southeast Asian security, giving due attention to traditional concerns with interstate conflict as well as non-traditional themes like the economy and the quality of democratic governance. It also provides a grounding in the Cold War-era conflicts that shaped the region as we know it today. The central focus, however, is on contemporary internal armed conflict rooted in processes of state formation and state decay. Key internal conflicts affecting the human security of millions of Southeast Asians, as well as near neighbours like Australia, will be analysed in their unique historical and cultural context, and related to cross-cutting questions with broad inter-disciplinary significance negotiating views from above and below, from inside and outside.

At the end of the course, students will have gained a thorough understanding of security issues in Southeast Asia. They will have obtained in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of internal conflicts prevalent in the region, and will have studied the conflict preventation mechanisms in place to address them.

In addition, students will have deepened their analytical and presentational skills, preparing them for future professional work in government, think tanks, intelligence, academia or development agencies.

Tutorial attendance and participation 10%,

Tutorial presentation 15%,

Tutorial paper (2,000 words) 25%,

Main essay (4,000 words) 50%.

Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but may expect more rigorous assessment and additional assignment work, tailored to the graduate students' interests.

Contact Hours: One two-hour lecture and one one-hour tutorial

Permission of Coordinator

ASIA2060