BA South East Asian Studies (Combined Honours)
Programme Code: See 'May be Combined with ..' Duration: 3 years
Overview
2013 Entry Requirements
- A Levels: AAB
- A Level language preferred
- IB: 36 (6/6/6)
- BTEC: DDM
- Access to HE: Minimum of 30 Level 3 Credits at Distinction
- Scottish Highers: AAABB
- Scottish Advanced Highers: AAB
- Irish LC: 340 points from 5 Higher level subjects at grade C1 or above
- Advanced Placement: 4 4 5 (Two semesters - UCAS Group A) plus US HSGD with GPA 3.0
- Euro Bacc: 80%
- French Bacc: 14/20
- German Abitur: 2.0
- Italy DES: 80/100
- Austria Mat: 2.0
- Polish Mat: 75%
Minimum Entry Requirements: Languages at SOAS are taught ab initio, and no prior knowledge is required. A foreign language at A-level or equivalent is preferred but not essential.
Subjects Preferred: No
Interview Policy: Candidates with 'non-standard' qualifications are encouraged to apply, and will usually be invited for an interview
Start of programme: September
Mode of Attendance: Full Time
BA South East Asian Studies (Combined Honours) is a three-year programme that strikes an exciting balance between the study of a South East Asian language (Burmese, Indonesian, Thai or Vietnamese), the cultures of the region and a second subject in another discipline.
Competence in a South East Asian language is developed as a tool for exploring the culture for which a spoken language is a vehicle. In the combined degree, South East Asian Studies can be combined with:
- African Studies,
- Development Studies,
- Economics,
- Geography,
- History,
- History of Art/Archaeology,
- Law, Linguistics,
- Management Studies (with Birkbeck College London),
- Music,
- Politics,
- Social Anthropology,
- or Study of Religions.
This degree is ideal for students who do not seek the intensive engagement with language demanded by the four-year degrees, but who desire a working knowledge of the language to enhance their engagement with the diversity of South East Asian culture.
Combinations
May be combined with
- Development Studies TLJ9 BA/DVSSEA
- Economics TLJC BA/ECSEA
- Geography** TLJR BA/GESEA
- History VTCJ BA/HSEA
- History of Art/Archaeology VTJ3 BA/HAASEAS
- Law TMJC BA/LWSEA
- Linguistics TQJD BA/LGSEA
- Music WTHH BA/MSSEA
- Politics TLH2 BA/POLSEA
- Social Anthropology TLHP BA/SASEA
- Study of Religions VTPJ BA/SEASR
** Taught at King's College, London
Students wishing to combine this subject with Management Studies should contact the Head of Department or Undergraduate Tutor for information. See Department Staff page for contact details.
Structure
Students must take four units in each year.
NB: Not all courses are available every year. Your choice of courses is subject to the approval of the undergraduate tutor and, in some cases the individual course convenor. Some courses listed may be subject to a pre-requisite.
Year 1
Core Courses
- Introduction to South East Asia - 155901320 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- South East Asia on Film - 155901318 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
Compulsory Course
A SEA language unit at an approved level (Burmese, Indonesian, Khmer, Thai, Vietnamese). Typically level 1 of the language chosen.
Other Subject
Students take 2 units in their other subject or open option units.
Year 2
Core Course
These courses run in alternate years.
- War, Revolution and Independence in South East Asian Literatures in Translation - 155901316 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2012/2013
- The City and the Countryside in South East Asian Literatures - 155901326 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
Core Course
Choose a half unit from List A. This course will be considered core.
Optional Course
A continuation of Year 1 SEA language OR one unit from List A or List B at an approved level.
Other Subject
Students take 2 units in their other subject or open option units.
Year 3
Compulsory Courses
Students have the choice of; writing an Extended Essay in SEA studies (half unit) and taking a further half unit from List A, OR undertaking an Independent Study Project in SEA studies (1 unit).
- Extended Essay in South East Asian Studies - 155901307 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- Independent Study Project in South East Asian Studies - 155901243 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Optional Course
A continuation of Year 2 SEA language OR courses to the value of one unit from List A or List B.
Other Subject
Students take 2 units in their other subject or open option units.
List of Approved Courses
List A
- Thailand on Screen (post '97) - 155901317 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 - Not Running 2012/2013
- Indonesia on Screen - 155901354 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
- Sex and the City in South East Asian Film - 155901319 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
- War, Revolution and Independence in South East Asian Literatures in Translation - 155901316 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2012/2013
- The City and the Countryside in South East Asian Literatures - 155901326 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- Cultural Foundations of Indonesia - 155901308 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- Indonesian Literature: Literature of the Revolution - 155901309 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
- Jawi and the Manuscript Tradition - 155901312 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2012/2013
- Pre-Modern Historical Texts of Java, Bali and the Malay World in English Translation - 155901313 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2012/2013
- Traditional Malay Literature: Adventure Romances in Texts and Film - 155901314 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2012/2013
- Language in South East Asia - 155901358 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2012/2013
- Thai Cultural Texts - 155901352 (1 Unit) - Full Year
List B
Before selecting a course, student's must first check that the course is at the correct level. They must also ensure that they meet any pre-requisites.
- H150 Introduction to the History of South East Asia - 154800232 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- Introduction to the Art and Archaeology of South and Southeast Asia - 154900156 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- Introduction to the Art and Archaeology of East Asia - 154900163 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
- Introduction to Islam - 157400020 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- Buddhism: Foundation - 158000110 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- Hinduism: Foundation - 158000118 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
- World Christianities Foundation - 158000117 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 - (Previously called: Christianity Foundation)
- Extended Essay in South East Asian Studies - 155901307 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- Ethnography of a Selected Region - South East Asia - 151802048 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- Popular and Fusion Music in South East Asia (UG) - 155800081 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
- Music and Religion in South East Asia - 155800080 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 - Not Running 2012/2013
- H255 South East Asia During the Cold War 1945-1991 - 154800237 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2012/2013
- Arts of the Buddha in Southeast Asia - 154900148 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2012/2013
- Contemporary Arts in Southeast Asia - 154900149 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 - Not Running 2012/2013
- Angkor and Khmer Art in Southeast Asia - 154900146 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- Southeast Asian government and politics - 153400022 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- Economic development of South East Asia - 153400012 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- H253 Islamic Reformism in South East Asia 1760s - 1960s - 154800212 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- H353 The Creation of Modern Burma 1852-C.1941 (I) - 154800252 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- H453 The Creation of Modern Burma 1852-C.1941 (II) - 154800253 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Programme Specification
Teaching & Learning
Year abroad
There is no year abroad requirement on this programme. If you are interested in taking a year abroad in South East Asia as part of your degree, then please look at the named language degrees and the BA South East Asian Studies (including year abroad).
Teaching & Learning
Course Information
Introductory and intermediate courses in a South East Asian language use a wide variety of learning experiences and techniques. Most other units are taught by formal lecture and with related tutorials. Assessment is by a combination of written examination and coursework.
Special Features
The School's teaching is backed up by the South East Asia collection within the SOAS library, one of the world's major collections of information in the field of South East Asian studies. The South East Asia collection now contains over 6500 books and pamphlets and 550 periodical titles as well as substantial collections of microfilms and manuscripts.
Pre Entry Reading
Suggestions for preliminary reading
- Allott, A.J. 1996. 'The Study of Burmese Literatures.' In South East Asian languages and literatures, edited by E. Ulrich Kratz. London:Tauris.
- Eliot, Joshua. 1997. Thailand Handbook. London: Footprint Handbooks.
- Gelman Taylor, Jean. 2003. Indonesia; peoples and histories. New Haven : Yale University Press
- Hall, Barbara and Cathy Draine. 2000. Culture Shock! Indonesia: A Guide to Customs and Etiquette. London: Kuperard,
- Healy, Dana. 1996. 'Studies on Vietnamese language and literature.' In South East Asian languages and literatures, edited by E. Ulrich Kratz. London:Tauris.
- Jamieson, N. 1993. Understanding Vietnam. Berkeley: California University Press.
- Keyes, C.F.. 1987. Thailand: Buddhist Kingdom as modern nation-state. Boulder Colorado and London: Westview Press.
- Mulder, Niels. 2000. Inside Thai Society: Religion, Everyday Life, Change. Chiangmai: Silkworm Books.
- Nguyen Du. 1983. The tale of Kieu (translated and annotated by Huynh Sanh Thong) Yale UP.
- Okell, John. 1996. 'Burmese language study.' In South East Asian languages and literatures, edited by E. Ulrich Kratz. London:Tauris
- Robson, S O 2004. Welcome to Indonesian, a beginner's survey of the language. Boston; Tuttle.
- Steinberg, David. 1982. Burma: a socialist nation of South East Asia. Boulder Colorado and London: Westview Press.
- Vickers, A. 2005. A history of modern Indonesia. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Destinations
Former students in the Department of South East Asia have gone on to work in a variety of capacities in commerce, industry, teaching, the media, finance, the civil service, academe, the armed forces and other spheres. Some have chosen to work in South East Asia or have found work related to the region thus being able to make direct use of their linguistic and cultural expertise.How to apply
How to apply
- How to Apply
- UCAS website
- Funding options
- English language requirements
- Tuition Fees
- Admissions Contacts
Scholarships
For further information visit the Scholarships section
Undergraduate Research Awards
Application Deadline: 2013-04-26 00:00
A Student's Perspective
Patrick TibkeI love being on this programme because we have excellent staff who make it possible for the students to pursue exactly their own interests in South East Asia
