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Regular version of the site
Bachelor 2024/2025

State and Politics in Southeast Asian Countries

Area of studies: Foreign Regional Studies
When: 2 year, 1, 2 module
Mode of studies: offline
Open to: students of one campus
Language: English
ECTS credits: 5

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course is designed as an introduction to the political systems of all ASEAN countries. It provides an overview of political parties, legal systems, governments and administrations that function in Southeast Asia. A special attention is paid to basic methods of comparative politics that involve cross-national analysis and area studies of domestic politics in different countries. The course also provides a general understanding of political transition in Southeast Asian countries, and pays attention to such topics as leadership, the political role of the military, opposition, civil society, political Islam, ethno-communal conflict, and social movements. Pre-requisites:Introduction to International RelationsIntroduction to Political ScienceModern History of Southeast AsiaEconomic & Political Geography of Southeast Asia
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • The aim is to provide students with general understanding of the political and social situation in each Southeast Asian country, to explain the patterns and dynamics of contemporary politics in this rapidly changing region, as well as to get familiar with dominant approaches and theories in comparative politics.
Expected Learning Outcomes

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • understand the basic methods, approaches and key terms in comparative politics
  • apply major theories and concepts of comparative politics to current events and specific cases in Southeast Asia;
  • to determine the merits and weaknesses of various theoretical approaches, and to apply such to critically analyze current political developments in the region;
  • understand the political developments in Southeast Asia and be able to analyze political events and trends in the region;
  • compare political institutions, political culture and political participation across Southeast Asian nations;
Course Contents

Course Contents

  • Lecture 1. Comparative politics, political systems and political culture in Southeast Asia: an introduction. Seminar 1. Working in groups.
  • Lecture 2. Political system in Indonesia: key actors and main challenges. Seminar 2. Working in groups.
  • Lecture 3. Lecture 3. Political developments in Malaysia: a constitutional monarchy
  • Lecture 4. Singapore and Brunei: similarities and differences. Seminar 4. Presentations on proposed topics.
  • Lecture 5. Political actors, institutions, and dynamics of the Philippine political system. Mid-term exam. Multiple choice & short answer tests.
  • Lecture 6. A constitutional monarchy: Thailand case. Seminar 5. Working in groups.
  • Lecture 7. Politics in Contemporary Vietnam: One-Party State. Seminar 6. Working in groups.
  • Lecture 8. Political system in Mainland Southeast Asia: Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar. Seminar 7. Presentations on proposed topics.
Assessment Elements

Assessment Elements

  • non-blocking Participation
  • non-blocking Midterm Exam
    Short answer assessments requires student to write brief responses to questions in his own words, or to pick the right answer in a multiple choice test. Short answer questions may be about a topic or they may be about a case study. The test has 25 questions.
  • non-blocking Presentation
    Upon completing a number of lectures, students will be suggested to choose a topic from the list for the presentation. The presentation can be prepared individually or in small groups up to 3 people. The presentation should be submitted on the seminar’s day. It can be done in PPT format or by any other presentation software. One presentation allocates 10 min. Each presentation is followed by Q&A session from the lecturer and audience. A good presentation is expected to consist of: Introduction/ Aims/Objectives Major points and ideas explained and summarized Results/Related points/Issues/or others depending on the topic Conclusion References
  • non-blocking Final Exam
    The final exam consists of an oral answer to two questions by the examiner. Students must remove any unauthorised material from the desk at the classroom in which they will be undertaking their examination, including books, coats, mobile phones, smartwatches, computers, electronic devices or laptops that are not connected with the examination. Any written, printed or digital materials shall be considered to be unauthorised materials. Students may take notes during preparation for the answer. Each student has 10 min to prepare for the answer. Students also have the right to decide from which question they wish to start answering. Please note that there is NO exemption from taking the final exam for this course.
  • non-blocking Attendance
Interim Assessment

Interim Assessment

  • 2024/2025 2nd module
    0.05 * Presentation + 0.1 * Attendance + 0.35 * Final Exam + 0.25 * Midterm Exam + 0.25 * Participation
Bibliography

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

  • Croissant, A. (2013). Coups and post-coup politics in South-East Asia and the Pacific: conceptual and comparative perspectives. Australian Journal of International Affairs, 67(3), 264–280. https://doi.org/10.1080/10357718.2013.788121

Recommended Additional Bibliography

  • Catherine Noppe, & Jean-François Hubert. (2018). Art of Vietnam. Parkstone International.
  • Язькова А.А. - Юго-Восточная Европа в эпоху кардинальных перемен - Весь Мир - 2007 - ISBN: 978-5-7777-0353-8 - Текст электронный // ЭБС ZNANIUM - URL: https://znanium.com/catalog/document?id=337602

Authors

  • Большова Екатерина Владимировна
  • Базарова Евгения Сергеевна