Fall 2019 - IS 303 D100

Ethnic Minorities, Identity Politics, and Conflict in Southeast Asia (4)

Class Number: 7908

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2019: Thu, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Surveys the ethnic minorities of Southeast Asia, focusing on their relations with other ethnic groups, especially majority populations, and governments. Examines the treatment of ethnic minorities and the responses of the minorities, including ethnic-based secession movements. Reviews cross-border and broader international issues relating to minorities, such as their status as refugees and cross-border support for insurgencies.

COURSE DETAILS:

Southeast Asia is renowned for its ethnic, linguistic and ecological diversity. The many different ethnic groups living in the mountains (sometimes referred to as “hill tribes”) often span national boundaries and have been incorporated into nation-states as minorities and marginal citizens. Contemporary rapid development in Southeast Asia is having an enormous impact on these ethnic minorities, who are being displaced from their lands and livelihoods in the name of development and conservation, but at the same time are eager to pursue development “on their own terms”. This has led to various strategies of compliance and resistance, in some places resulting in indigenous social movements that are linked with broader international human rights and environmental networks. This seminar will explore the evolving relationships between ethnic minorities and states in Southeast Asia, from pre-colonial to contemporary situations. We will examine the construction of boundaries and identities in Southeast Asia, and the processes through which ethnic minorities and their territories have been represented, incorporated and/or excluded into nation-states across time. What are the impacts of contemporary development and conservation policies on ethnic minorities in Southeast Asia? How do various understandings of development, environment and citizenship influence these policies? What types of resistance and socio-political movements are emerging?

Grading

  • Term Paper 35%
  • Presentation 15%
  • Midterm 20%
  • Final Exam 30%

NOTES:

Students will be required to submit their written assignments to Turnitin.com in order to receive credit for the assignments and for the course.

The School for International Studies strictly enforces the University's policies regarding plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty. Information about these policies can be found at: http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/teaching.html.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

James C Scott, The Art of Not Being Governed. Yale University Press, 2009
ISBN: 9780300169171

William Case, Politics in Southeast Asia: Democracy or Less, Curzon Press, 2012
ISBN: 9780700716364

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS