2021 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses
Area Studies: South and Southeast Asia
- Academic unit or major
- Humanities and social science courses
- Instructor(s)
- Yukiko Taniguchi
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Wed
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.A505
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2021
- Offered quarter
- 3Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course will focus on the issues currently faced in the politics and societies of Southeast Asian countries, taking into account the geographical environment and social and historical background of the region. Specifically, it will cover the following questions: How does "Populism" affect the politics of those countries? Why and how did the coup d'etat occur in Myanmar? How do those countries respond to the spread of COVID-19?
This course aims to provide students with basic knowledge of the geography, religion, history, and political economy of Southeast Asia, as well as understanding of the current issues facing the region. As a result, when the students visit Southeast Asia for travel or work, they will be able to interact with people based on their knowledge and understanding. Additionally, when they coume across news reports about Southeast asia, they will be able to grasp the situation and gather information accurately.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will acquire the following knowledge and abilities:
(1) Basing knowledge of the geography, livelihoods, languages, religions, histories, economics, and politics of Southeast Asian region and countries.
(2) An understanding of the political and socioeconomic issues that Southeast Asian region and countries are currently facing.
(3) An attitude of understanding and respect for the diversity of human society.
Keywords
Southeast Asia, politics, history, culture, society
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
The course will be conducted according to the slides prepared by the instructor. Video and photographs will be used as necessary. Students are required to submit a reaction paper after each class that includes a comprehension check of the class topics. Questions will be accepted via email and reaction paper. The content of the reaction paper and questions will be shared and answered in the next class.
***Update August 2021****
In this course, an on-demand online exam will be held on 1st December during the make-up classes and final exam period.
Students who have face-to-face exams before and after this course can choose their own attendance time from the viewpoint of safety.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction | Gain an overview of Southeast Asian region and understand how the region can be perceived. |
| Class 2 | Geography, Livelihood, Religion, Ethnicity | Understand the environment and society. |
| Class 3 | Colonialism and Nation Building | Understand the origins and formation process of each country. |
| Class 4 | Japan / China and Southeast Asia | Understand how each country has developed its relationship with Japan and China. |
| Class 5 | Economic Development and International Migration | Understand the process of economic development and the changing trends in international migration in Southeast Asian countries. |
| Class 6 | Politics 1: Democracy and Authoritarianism | Understand the nature and current status of political system in each country. |
| Class 7 | Politics 2: Monarchy, Military, and Populism | Understand the various factors that influence the politics of each country. |
| Class 8 | Final exam |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to course materials.
Textbook(s)
None required.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Course materials are provided during class.
Iwasaki Ikuo, Introduction to Modern Southeast Asian History (Kodansha Gendai Shinsho), Kodansha, 2017 (Japanese).
Furuta Motoo, 10 Lectures Southeast Asian History (Iwanami Shinsho)
Evaluation methods and criteria
Class participation and small assignments (reaction paper): 40%, Final exam: 60 %.
Related courses
- LAH.A501 ： Area Studies: Europe
- LAH.A502 ： Area Studies: East Asia
- LAH.A503 ： Area Studies: Latin America
- LAH.A504 ： Area Studies: Middle East and Africa
- LAH.A506 ： Area Studies: North America and Oceania
Prerequisites
None required.
Other
This course is 500-level course.
Tokyo Techʼs “wedge-shaped style education” enables students to pursue liberal arts education in a phased manner throughout undergraduate and graduate programs. Students are encouraged to take courses in the sequence of 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 levels. As such, masterʼs students entering in September must begin from 400-level liberal arts courses in 3Q and 4Q of the first year, then proceed to 500-level courses. Students can register for 500-level Humanities and Social Science courses six months after their entrance (i.e. students admitted in April can register in 3Q and 4Q, and those admitted in September can register in 1Q and 2Q).