Southeast Asia: A history
March 19, 26, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7
Zoom – Thursday 10:30 am – Noon
How were the modern nations of Southeast Asia—from Myanmar to Timor-Leste—formed? What is their ethnic and religious composition, and how does that impact the chance for democracy to succeed? What was the impact of colonialism and the historic influence of China and India on their societies?
Through a country-by-country approach, we examine their history, emphasizing the period after colonialism, and the dynamic changes that have occurred in the region up to the mid- 1980s. This exploration should further a general understanding of the area and enhance any anticipated visit to it. A repeated course.
- Week 1: Introduction and Indonesia (to 1966)
- Week 2: Malaysia (to 1980)
- Week 3: Singapore (to 1988)
- Week 4: Thailand (to 2000)
- Week 5: Myanmar (to 1948)
- Week 6: Cambodia (to 1941)
- Week 7: Viet Nam (to 1986)
- Week 8: The Philippines (to 1986)
Paul Sarno is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the Columbia Law School. He has studied Southeast Asia for more than 50 years through extensive reading, multiple research trips and membership in the Association for Asian Studies and the Burma Studies Group. He has taught about this region for 17 years at LLI and other venues.