1.

Name of Course/Module: SOUTHEAST ASIAN HISTORY:

PRE-COLONIALISM
2. Course Code: AJ21903
3. Name(s) of academic staff: DR. MAUREEN DE SILVA
4. Rationale for the inclusion of the course/ module in the programme
This is one of the core courses offered by the History Programme.

5. Semester and Year offered: Sem 1 / Year 2
6. Total Student Learning Time
(SLT)
Face to Face Total Guided and Independent
Learning
L = Lecture
T = Tutorial
P = Practice
O= Other
L

T

P

O



7. Credit Value: 3
8. Prerequisite (if any):
9. Learning outcomes:
At the end of the course successful students will be able to:
a. Describe important phases of changes and major issues that developed in Southeast
Asia before the age of formal colonialism. (C1, P1)
b. Explain the fundamental dynamics behind the emergence and downfall of ancient
kingdoms in Southeast Asia. (C2, P2)
c. Explain the striking diversity of indigenous cultures, enriched by world's major
influences, yet at the same time, able to distinguish the subtle commonality of local
polities, societies and cultures. [C2, P2, A2]

10. Transferable Skills:
Communication Skills (CS1, CS2, CS3)
Critical Thinking (CT1, CT2)
Team Work Skills (TS1,TS2)

11. Teaching-learning and assessment strategy:
Teaching Learning strategy Assessment strategy
i. Lectures

1. Mid term examination
2. Final examination
ii. Tutorials or consultancy Tutorial
Discussion
Group Presentation
12 Synopsis
This is an introductory course to the history of Southeast Asia before the era of formal
colonialism. It focuses on the historical development of the region from the proto-classical
period (from 3
rd
century B.C) to mid 19
th
century. Located between the Chinese and Indic
civilizations, Southeast Asia has been a region of striking diversity where for more than two
thousand years the complex indigenous cultures encountered with and were enriched by
world's major influences from major religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and
Confucianism to Western influences. Yet what makes the region distinctive is also the subtle
commonality of local polities, societies and cultures. The complex traditions which have
shaped the history of the region are very much alive today despite colonisation and
Westernisation over the past hundred years. This course explores both the important
phases of changes and major issues before formal Western colonialism took place. Among
the topics to be covered in this course are the early settlements, the rise and fall of land-
based and maritime kingdoms, influences from the Indic, Chinese, and Western civilizations,
early European intrusion, political development to the 1800, and economic and social
change.
13. Mode of Delivery
i. Lecture
ii. Student centred Learning : Tutorial/consultancy
14. Assessment Methods and Types
1. Group Assignment = 30%
2. Mid term Examination = 20%
3. Final Examination = 50%

15. Main references supporting the course
Abdul Rahman Hj. Abdullah. 2000. Sejarah dan Tamadun Asia Tenggara:
Sebelum dan Sesudah Pengaruh Islam. Kuala Lumpur:
Utusan Publications & Distributions Sdn. Bhd.
Coedes, George. 1968. The Indianized States of Southeast Asia, (edited by Walter
F. Vella; translated by Sue Brown Cowing). University of Hawaii Press.
Reid, Anthony & David Marr. (ed). 1979. Perception of the Past in
Southeast Asia. Kuala Lumpur: Heinemann Educational Books (Asia) Ltd.
Reid, Anthony. Southeast Asia in the Age of Commerce 1450-1680: Expansion and
Crisis. Yale University Press. 1995.
Wolters, O.W. 1982. History, Culture and Religion in Southeast Asian Perspective.
Singapore.
And also other books, journal or articles related to this course.

16. Other additional information
Students must participate actively in every class discussion and contribute to group
projects.
Assignments must be presented and submitted on time
Information in this document is subject to change

Weekly Topics
Topic 1 Introduction
T2 Southeast Asia: An Introduction
T3
Geography, Land and People: Diversity and Similarity
T4 Prehistory and Archeology: Settlements and Early Polity
T5 First Maritime Kingdoms
T6 Land-based Kingdoms of Southeast Asia
T7 The Islamization of Southeast Asia
T8 European Intrusion
T9
Political Development between 16
th
and 18
th
Centuries I
T10
Political Development between 16
th
and 18
th
Centuries II
T11
Discussion and Conclusion