We are excited to announce that CU Boulders students who are interested in learning about Southeast Asia are now able to specialize in Southeast Asian studies through the newly approved Southeast Asia track for Asian Studies majors.
Southeast Asia is one of the most geostrategic and economically important regions in the world. Not only is it home to Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country, but it is also home to one of the world’s busiest and most important shipping lanes—the Straits of Malacca— and home to a rich diversity of people, religion, culture, geography, and history. The 11 countries of Southeast Asia (Brunei, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) have a total population of over 660 million and a combined GDP in 2020 of over $3.1 trillion.
Students who specialize in the Southeast Asia track will:
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Gain understanding of the immense cultural, religious, ethnic, and linguistic diversity of Southeast Asia, as well as knowledge of how such diversity has been shaped by a long history of exchange and interaction with communities and cultures within/beyond the region.
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Assess and appreciate how histories of imperialism, decolonization, nationalism, and war have shaped the contours of Southeast Asian history over the 19th and 20th centuries.
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Obtain familiarity with a wide range of issues facing contemporary Southeast Asian societies, including current debates around themes of social inequality, gender/sexuality, faith, human rights, democracy, urbanization, cultural heritage, etc.
Students who are interested in learning more about Southeast Asia should also consider two unique study abroad opportunities available this summer and fall.
– A 3 week faculty led study abroad program in summer 2023. Interested students can learn more at the ANTH Global Seminars Info Session on October 12th at 4:30 PM in Hale 450 (Library).
– CU Boulder students can spend a semester taking courses in English at Gadjah Mada University, one of the highest-ranked universities in Indonesia, on a direct exchange program.
If you are interested in pursuing or learning more about the Southeast Asian Studies track in the Asian Studies major, you can reach out to faculty director Dr. Lauren Collins (collinlk@colorado.edu) or academic advisor Christine Luft (christine.luft@colorado.edu)
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