South & SE Asian Studies

This course examines policies and programs dealing with ethnic relations based on the experiences of Singapore and Malaysia. It focuses on how these much talked about and debated policies, impact or affect the Malays in particular, who constitute a numerical minority in Singapore, but form the majority in Malaysia. The course examines major socio‐historical factors conditioning these policies and programs and the processes by which they are materialized from the period of British colonialism to the present. How these efforts bear upon nation building and national integration is explored.

This course discovers various representations of India through the cross-study of literary and cinematographic works of the twentieth century. Students read works including A BARBARIAN IN ASIA by Henri Michaux and A CERTAIN IDEA OF ​​INDIA by Alberto Moravia; and view works including ABOARD THE DARJEELING LIMITED by Wes Anderson and the documentary by Louis Malle, GHOST INDIA.

This course takes a comparative perspective and highlights the theoretical and practical problems related to this field of study. The course explores several themes: 1) concepts and conceptualization 2) state, modernity and secularism, 3) Gender equality and plurality in religion and 4) capitalism and commercialization in religion. More than just faith, personal beliefs and practice, religion is also a site for many of these dynamics involving the power of the modern nation-state, gender relations and economic systems. The course also examines case studies of diverse religious and spiritual traditions in Southeast Asia. 

This course traces the development of both Theravāda and Mahāyāna Buddhism in Southeast Asia. Major topics include the spread of Buddhism, the rise of Buddhist kingdoms, the development of popular traditions, the impact of European colonialism, the relationship between Buddhism and nationalism, the emergence of modern reformist movements, and Buddhist minorities in maritime Southeast Asia.

This course examines recent developments in the contentious electoral politics of three Southeast Asian countries: Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines, with some comparative references to Burma/Myanmar. Following a brief review of the case countries, the course adopts a thematic approach, first reviewing the character of the state, including national mythologies and the historical role of the military. It then explores aspects of transition, including the changing political economy, the rise of electoral politics, the role of religion and media, and the phenomenon of rally politics. Challenges to national elites from the regions is also closely scrutinized. These themes and issues have a broader relevance to wider debates in comparative politics which students explore in their written assessment.

This course offers a broad overview of important concepts, themes, and figures relevant to the progression of Indic civilization, from ancient times to the present. The course particularly focuses on food and physical culture; pleasure and entertainment, as well as gender and sexuality. 

This module examines the centrality of food, drink and dining practices in Tamil and other South Asian cultures. The module probes a fascinating facet of South Asian gastro politics by exploring such themes as the relationship between taste and nourishment, food and gender roles, the politics of commensality, and representations of eating and drinking across various visual media. The thematically organised lectures and tutorials incorporate perspectives from history, literature, sociology, anthropology and cultural studies.

Through this course the students will be learning the connotation knowledge of Beijing Opera and learning how to appreciate the beauty of Beijing opera art. From the aesthetic experience, we can appreciate the beauty of drama.The so-called "how can we know the spring scenery without going to the garden" has gradually expanded from the introduction of Beijign Opera to its love of opera art and even Chinese traditional culture, so as to cultivate the temperament and beautify the soul.