Annotation
This is an introductory course to the study of South East Asia as a region and with focus on the individual countries in particular of Burma, Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia. It will open with a framing of the region as a whole (geography, topography, climate); an examination of anthropological (religious and cultural) links between the constituent countries; a study of the ethnic groups of the region and migration (ethnic, economic and enviromental); specific lectures on the key religions of the region; and a series of ancient and contemporary trade and politics lectures to indicate main aspects of social changes due to globalization. Main topics:
1) Geography of Southeast Asia – Mainland v. Islands, topography, climate differences
2) The people of Southeast Asia – ethnicity and languages
3) The people of Southeast Asia – religion diversity
4) The people of Southeast Asia – agriculture during centuries
5) The people of Southeast Asia – industry during centuries
6) History of Southeast Asia – age before Europeans
7) History of Southeast Asia - the search for spices and the age of exploration
8) Introduction to political situation after colonization till today
9) Southeast Asia on the globe – politics and trade
10) Social and enviromental aspects of development and globalization