I. Overview:

This course is an introduction to the major issues in the international relations of the eleven countries of Southeast Asia. Emphasis is placed on foreign policy issues in the post-Cold War/September 11th world, including intra-ASEAN relations as well as ASEAN's relations with the rest of the world. We examine the factors shaping foreign policy in the region, the role of major as well as regional powers, the strengths and weaknesses of regional organizations, security challenges, economic competition and cooperation since the Asian financial crisis, and the challenges of globalization and transnational issues.

The course is designed to introduce students from all concentrations to the contemporary international relations in Southeast Asia.

Required for Purchase:

Amitav Acharya, 2001. Constructing a Security Community in Southeast Asia: ASEAN and the Problem of Regional Order. (New York: Routledge).
Muthiah Alagappa (ed.), 1998. Asian Security Practice. (Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press).
Alan Collins. 2003. Security and Southeast Asia: Domestic, Regional and Global Issues. (Singapore: ISEAS).
Sharon Siddique and Sree Kumar (eds.) 2003. The 2nd ASEAN Reader. (Singapore: ISEAS).

Recommended for Purchase:

Zachary Abuza. 2003. Militant Islam in Southeast Asia. (Boulder, Co.: Lynne Rienner Publishers)
Alan Dupont. 2001. East Asia Imperiled: Transnational Challenges to Security. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press).
Karl D. Jackson (ed.). 1999. Asian Contagion: The Causes and Consequences of a Financial Crisis. (Boulder: Westview Press).
Michael Leifer. 1995. Dictionary of the Modern Politics of South-East Asia. (New York: Routledge).
Sheldon Simon, (ed). 2001. The Many Faces of Asian Security. (Lantham, Maryland; Rowman and Littlefield).
Nicholas Tarling,. (ed). 1999. The Cambridge History of Southeast Asia, Vol. 2 (Cambridge University Press).
Milton Osborne. 2000. Southeast Asia: An Introductory History. (Singapore: Allen and Unwin, Eighth Edition).

III. Course Requirements:

a) Class Attendance & Participation (10% of total grade): Each week there will be two discussion sessions held at mutually convenient times for students. Students are expected to attend at least four discussion sessions during the semester.

b) One Policy Paper and Class Presentation (35% of total grade-policy paper 25%, presentation/participation in sessions 10%): Students are required to prepare a policy prospectus to address a problem in the region from the perspective of one of the governments in the region. This assignment requires concise analysis and clear pragmatic policy options. The length of each paper is strictly limited to 10 pages (double-spaced, 12 point font). Policy papers will be presented in two sessions beginning the week of April 14th. All students must attend these sessions and are expected to cross-examine their peers vigorously. Papers must be emailed to Professor Welsh by noon two days (April 12th) before the session in order to be uploaded on the website and available to other students.

c) Midterm Short Paper (25% of total grade) Students are required to write a short background paper assessing a policy problem and its resolution within ASEAN or inter-regional relations. Focus must center on why the policy was adopted, its strengths and weaknesses and its impact on the country in question. Papers will be assessed on their analysis and cannot exceed 6 pages. Papers are due March 11th.

d) Final Examination (30% of total grade): The final is comprised of short answers and identifications to be completed on Thursday April 29th at 1:30-3:30pm.