Southeast Asian Civilization Global Context

Southeast Asian Civilization Global Context

Southeast Asian Civilization Online

SOUTHEAST ASIAN CIVILIZATION (SEAC)

Course Description

Background and development of society and culture in Southeast Asian countries with an emphasis on major peninsular and mainland civilizations; The influence and impact of Eastern and Western civilizations on Southeast Asia in terms of cults, beliefs, religions, traditions, education, society, economy, and governance.

The Bayon at Angkor, Cambodia, built in the late 12th century by the Mahayana Buddhist King Jayavarman VII

Course Readings

Church, P. (2017). A Short History of South-East Asia, Sixth Edition. Singapore: John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.

Higham, C. (2014). Early Mainland and Southeast Asia: From first humans to Angkor. Bangkok: River Books.

Course Portrait | Indonesian Culture and Dance

ABOUT THE COURSE

Southeast Asian Civilization (SEAC) is an exciting new course with global significance.

This course looks into the pre-history of the region before examining the impacts of colonial powers and post-World War II developments. Current events provide excellent topics for research projects and in-class discussion.

The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region is currently one of the strongest economic growth areas globally, and this course offers a much-needed understanding of the region's complex history and rich ethnolinguistic landscapes.

Course Portrait | Burmese Culture and Dance

ASEAN

With the establishment of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and the increasing integration of the region through the ASEAN Socio-cultural Community, a growing range of opportunities exist for employment, trade, and travel within and between member countries as well as with other regional trade partners, especially China.

As English is the official language of ASEAN, all member countries have agreed to the goal of teaching every child the language of a neighboring country as well as English. ASEAN represents one of the brightest hopes for economic growth in the present and future.

South East Asia Map | Click to enlarge


A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO CIVILIZATION

A Brief Introduction to Civilization | Terms and Concepts | PDF


FRESHMAN POSTER PROJECTS | ARCHAEOLOGISTS AND FIELD SITES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Freshman Posters

Click to view student posters (2017) PDF

Student poster | Archaeologist Robert Bradford Fox | Leta-Leta Cave, Palawan, Philippines | Click to enlarge


A 10 period approach to studying Southeast Asian countries

I have developed a modest 10-topic chronological framework for studying individual Southeast Asian countries. Topics point to core histories and geographies and provide guidance for student presentations and class discussions. Topics and subtopics may overlap or apply to more than one period.

  1. Prehistory – Archaeology, Anthropology and Linguistics
  2. City-states, chiefdoms, kingdoms and dynasties – Historical geographies and indigenous peoples
  3. Colonial powers and governance – British, French, Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish
  4. WWII and Japanese rule – Imperial power and global conflict
  5. Return of colonial powers – New resistance and legacy
  6. Independence – The rise of national identities and new political geographies
  7. International relations (IR) – Nationalism and the global stage
  8. ASEAN – Rise and development of inter- and intra- regional relationships
  9. Contemporary issues – Globalization, urbanization, education and technology
  10. Tourism Geography – Planning, development and case studies

 

CNA (Channel News Asia) Shadows Of Empires | Inventing Southeast Asia


CAMBODIA

Khmer Mystery | Fou-nan Lost City | With Charles Higham and Miriam Stark | 41:00


VIETNAM

Traditional Vietnamese Noodles | Old Quarter, Hanoi, Vietnam | Click to learn more...

A Day in Ho Chi Minh City | Click to Photo Album

Students in Ho Chi Minh City | Click to photo album

Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon | Ho Chi Minh City

Interview at Po Nagar Temple in Nha Trang, Vietnam | Cham Culture | Steven Martin


THE PHILIPPINES

The Batanes Islands | Click to Batanes Islands Learning Adventure Page

Anthropologist Wilhelm G. Solheim II (1924–2014) (left) and David Blundell (right)

Banca Boat at Siargao Island | The Philippines | Click to more photos...

2006 Interview | Peter Bellwood, Batanes Islands, Philippines | Steven Martin


LAO PDR

Research at the Plain of Jars using virtual reality and drones | Monash University

Contemporary Topics for Today's Discussion

  1. Plain of Jars | Exploring Prehistory

  2. Dams on the Mekong | Economy & Ecology

  3. Casino Enclaves | Development and Poverty


INDONESIA

Introduction to Indonesia | Click on image to view

Our 2016 Indonesian Culture and Dance Class | Guest lecturer Imam Wahyudi Karimullah, University of Islam Malang (UNISMA)

Wonderful Indonesia | Official tourism video series

Journey through Wakatobi

Journey through Lombok

Journey through Banyuwangi


MYANMAR

Burmese Thanaka Culture Class | Steven Martin

Prayer for Peace Documentary | 2007 Matt Blauer

The Lady | Story of Aung San Suu Kyi


THAILAND

Sukhothai Historical Park | Sukhothai Kingdom 1238–1438 | Click to UNESCO

Click on a photo to visit the Thai Geography Page with detailed maps, downloads, and other student resources.

Thailand Culture & Heritage | Tourism Authority of Thailand

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep | Chiang Mai, Thailand

Bang Pa In summer palace | Ayutthaya Province

Chak Phra Buddhist Festival | Surat Thani Province

Phuket Aquaria

The new Phuket Aquaria, or Aquaria Phuket, Thailand, opened August, 2019, and we were lucky to be among the first to check it out and make this short video for our Thai Geography students.

Located in the basement of Central Phuket Floresta, is the largest aquarium in Thailand, featuring a cast of thousands from Thailand and other countries, including fresh and saltwater fish and turtles, otters, sharks, groupers, penguins, stingrays, jellyfish, lizards, insects, and snakes.

PHUKET AQUARIA | อควาเรีย ภูเก็ต


SOUTHEAST ASIAN CIVILIZATION | FINAL POSTER PROJECT | ANTHROPOLOGISTS AND ETHNOLINGUISTIC GROUPS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

PROJECT TYPE | ACADEMIC POSTER

Develop an academic poster using PowerPoint or other software which can incorporate text, maps, tables, and images.

PROJECT THEME | ANTHROPOLOGY, ETHNICITY, AND LANGUAGE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

  1. Choose an anthropologist with deep experience in living among, or studying, an ethnolinguistic group in Southeast Asia.
  2. Discuss the events or interests which led the anthropologist to study the ethnic group or culture.
  3. Emphasize the language, culture, history, and location of the ethnic group.
  4. Identify the significance of the ethnic group in terms of Southeast Asian civilization.

POSTER SIZE | INTERNATIONAL A3

Set slide dimensions for international A3, landscape (297 x 420 mm) (11.7 x 16.5 in)

The Ivatan, an Austronesian ethnolinguistic group, Batanes Islands, The Philippines | Click to learn more...


Thank you for visiting my Southeast Asian Civilization Course Page.

I hope you enjoy my photos and the information in the links provided. If you feel motivated to learn more about Southeast Asia, or would like to arrange a public talk, please let me know – I’d love to hear from you.

–Steven Martin

Golden Buddha, Ko Samui, Thailand