Week 1

Defining the term region, regionalism and regionalization

Theories of regionalism (An Introduction)

Importance and General fact file of Southeast Asia

Geographical location: Southeast Asia is known as an Indo-Pacific region. It is located at the adjoining point where Indian ocean meets pacific ocean. Different geographical reference has been associated with this region including Indo-Chinese region, East Asia and Asia Pacific etc.

Major Countires Surrounding: India, China and Australia

Regional Countries: Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, East timor, Brunie, Phillippines, Indo-china (Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos), Thailand and Myanmar

Terrain Characteristics: Archipelago, Islands, Peninsulas, Gulf, Sea and Straits.

Important geographical points: Strait of Malacca, Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin and South China Sea

Overview of Historical/Political Importance: Colonial Importance for Major powers, Pacific theater during WWII, Center of Domino-theory and Containment during Cold War, Vietnam War, SEATO security alliance, Region of Newly Industrialized Economies (Asian Tigers), ASEAN, Center of Asian financial crisis, Rise of China and Look East policy, US rebalnce to Asia, US-China competition and Southeast Asia.

 

Download Files

introduction-to-southeast-asia.pdf (0.19 MB )

introduction-to-theories-of-regionalism.pdf (0.18 MB )