Languages and Literatures of Southeast Asia
The first part of this seminar discusses the importance of literature and language for nation-building, and language politics in select case studies in
Southeast Asia. The second part is dedicated to reading modern Southeast Asian literature (in translation as well as in original languages such as
Malay/Indonesian and English). In the third part, students practice their translation skills and/or their English writing skills.
At the end of the course, students should have the vocabulary and knowledge to discuss the relationship between language and nationalism by
drawing on a variety of Southeast Asian case studies. They should be able to demonstrate enhanced critical reading skills, both in the close reading of
literary texts and in assessing and applying theoretical analysis in secondary texts. Further, they should be able to demonstrate improved their
writing skills, with an emphasis on using primary texts to support their arguments as well as greater experience in oral discussion of ideas and in
making constructive contributions to class discussions. |
