{"ModuleCode":"SE2223","ModuleTitle":"Doing Research In Southeast Asia","Department":"Southeast Asian Studies","ModuleDescription":"This module introduces different approaches to studying the region, with the aim of developing students’ independent research skills. It covers issues such as identifying a research question, the role of theory in research, and selecting an appropriate research design. By looking at a range of exemplary works in Southeast Asian studies as well as explicit methodological discussions, students will gain understanding of theoretical debates and practical issues related to doing research in Southeast Asian Studies.","ModuleCredit":"4","Workload":"0-3-0-4-3","Types":["Module","UEM"],"Lecturers":["Muhammad Arafat Bin Mohamad"],"IVLE":[{"Announcements":null,"Forums":[],"Workbins":[],"Webcasts":[],"Gradebooks":[],"Polls":[],"Multimedia":[],"LessonPlan":[],"ID":"b5b6a380-a175-4781-9ff0-36c9a33d8cd7","CourseLevel":"1","CourseCode":"SE2223","CourseName":"DOING RESEARCH IN SOUTHEAST ASIA","CourseDepartment":"","CourseSemester":"Semester 2","CourseAcadYear":"2014/2015","CourseOpenDate":"/Date(1416067200000+0800)/","CourseOpenDate_js":"2014-11-16T00:00:00","CourseCloseDate":"/Date(1438358340000+0800)/","CourseCloseDate_js":"2015-07-31T23:59:00","CourseMC":"0","isActive":"Y","Permission":"S","Creator":{"UserID":null,"Name":"Muhammad Arafat Bin Mohamad","Email":null,"Title":null,"UserGuid":"e5d906f7-aeb4-4774-85a9-cfb7d84b691f","AccountType":null},"hasGradebookItems":false,"hasTimetableItems":true,"hasGroupsItems":false,"hasClassGroupsForSignUp":false,"hasGuestRosterItems":false,"hasClassRosterItems":true,"hasWeblinkItems":false,"hasLecturerItems":true,"hasDescriptionItems":true,"hasReadingItems":false,"hasAnnouncementItems":false,"hasProjectGroupItems":false,"hasProjectGroupsForSignUp":false,"hasConsultationItems":false,"hasConsultationSlotsForSignUp":false,"hasLessonPlanItems":false,"Badge":0,"BadgeAnnouncement":0,"WebLinks":[],"Lecturers":[{"ID":"3b32a0ff-92a8-4d61-9ac5-8a9f49d001bc","User":{"UserID":null,"Name":"Muhammad Arafat Bin Mohamad","Email":null,"Title":null,"UserGuid":"e5d906f7-aeb4-4774-85a9-cfb7d84b691f","AccountType":null},"Role":"Lecturer ","Order":1,"ConsultHrs":null}],"Descriptions":[{"ID":"2e5f053b-8835-4692-be49-41f07234cfff","Title":"Prerequisites","Description":"There are no prerequisites. This module is open to all students who seek to learn about doing research, especially in the humanities and social sciences.","Order":1},{"ID":"5e5f053b-8835-4692-be49-41f07234cfff","Title":"Synopsis","Description":"I am unsure about how to select a research topic. The professors expect me to express my own opinions about issues, but I don’t even know how to develop them. How do I gather data? Which books should I read? What about primary data? Who do I interview and how do I approach them? What questions should I ask? I wish that there was someone who I can discuss my ideas with.
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\nFeeling nervous about writing term research papers at NUS? Worry not. It’s NORMAL! Writing triggers anxiety even among seasoned authors. SE2223 could alleviate some of that anxiety. This course aims to help students develop independent research skills. It is relevant to all students of the humanities and social sciences, NOT ONLY SOUTHEAST ASIAN STUDIES MAJORS.
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\nEnrollees of SE2223 will be introduced to various aspects of research, including approaches, methodologies, sources, genres, etc., through a critical treatment of the published material on Southeast Asia and hands-on research opportunities in Singapore. Students will also have the opportunity to conduct field research during a fieldtrip to PHUKET (FEB 23-27, 2015) during the mid-semester break.
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\nIn SE2223, we will learn about the process of identifying meaningful and feasible research questions, selecting an appropriate research design and the role of theory in research. Students will acquire and hone important research skills under a collaborative learning environment. As fellow recipients and sources of knowledge, students, as well as the instructor, will engage in critical reading and discussions of selected themes in order to gain an understanding of methodological issues, theoretical debates, and practical issues related to doing research.
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\nWith a nice balance of guidance from the instructor, self-motivation, commitment, and collegiality, students will develop confidence in their ability to read texts critically, gather data, and develop as well as express sound arguments pertaining to social issues verbally and in writing.","Order":2},{"ID":"1e5f053b-8835-4692-be49-41f07234cfff","Title":"Learning Outcomes","Description":"Students will learn to evaluate texts, including published literature, and peer as well as self-produced writings, in a critical and systematic manner.
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\nStudents will gain experiences that contribute toward an effective application of field research skills (e.g. writing field notes, observational skills, interviewing techniques).
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\nStudents will develop the skills to express and justify their arguments about social issues effectively and confidently.
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\nStudents will become more independent and self-directed when approaching future research and writing assignments, including Independent Study Modules and the Honours Thesis.
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\nHunter, D. A. (2014). A Practical Guide to Critical Thinking: Deciding What to Do and Believe. New Jersey, Wiley. Read Chapter 1, pp. 1-36.
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\nWEEK 2 [JAN 23] ― A FLUID WORLD: CONNECTIONS IN THE INDIAN OCEAN
\nMiksic, J. N. (2013). Singapore and the Silk Road of the Sea, 1300-1800. Singapore, NUS Press. Read chapter 2, pp. 57-92.
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\nAmrith, S. S. (2013). "The Bay of Bengal and the Malay World." Indonesia and the Malay World 41(120): 183-197.
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\nWEEK 3 [JAN 30] ― MOBILITY 1: MIGRATION AND WORK
\nMills, M. B. (1997). "Contesting the Margins of Modernity: Women, Migration, and Consumption in Thailand." American Ethnologist 24(1): 37-61.[Nurul Shazirah]
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\nCurran, S. R., F. Garip, C. Y. Chung and K. Tangchonlatip (2005). "Gendered Migrant Social Capital: Evidence from Thailand." Social Forces 84(1): 225-255. [Pearly Seah]
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\nWEEK 4 [FEB 6] ― MOBILITY 2: TOURISM
\nJohnson, A. A. (2007). "Authenticity, Tourism, and Self-discovery in Thailand: Self-creation and the Discerning Gaze of Trekkers and Old Hands." Sojourn: Journal of Social Issues in Southeast Asia 22(2): 153-178. [Nur Shahirah]
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\nYokota, F. (2006). "Sex Behaviour of Male Japanese Tourists in Bangkok, Thailand." Culture, Health & Sexuality 8(2): 115-131. [Siti Noor Jannah]
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\nStronza, A. (2001). "Anthropology of Tourism: Forging New Ground for Ecotourism and Other Alternatives." Annual Review of Anthropology 30: 261-283.
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\nWEEK 5 [FEB 13] ― MOBILITY 3: FORCED DISPLACEMENT
\nMathieson, D. (2009). Perilous Plight: Burma's Rohingya Take to the Seas. New York, Human Rights Watch. [Said Mahadi]
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\nClarke, M. (2009). "Over the Border and under the Radar: Can Illegal Migrants Be Active Citizens?" Development in Practice 19(8): 1064-1078.
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\nLee, S. K. (2008). "State in a State: Administration and Governance in a Thailand—Burma Border Town." Asian Journal of Social Science 36(2): 187-211. [Tze How]
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\nInterview-based Short Essay (2 pages) due on February 15, 2015 (Sunday) at 2359h.
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\nWEEK 6 [FEB 20] ― PLEASURE FOR SALE (NO CLASS MEETING. WE WILL DISCUSS THE ASSIGNED READINGS DURING THE FIELDTRIP TO PHUKET.)
\nManderson, L. (1992). "Public Sex Performances in Patpong and Explorations of the Edges of Imagination." The Journal of Sex Research 29(4): 451-475.
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\nMcCamish, M. (2000). "Refocusing HIV/AIDS Interventions in Thailand: The Case for Male Sex Workers and Other Homosexually Active Men." Culture, Health & Sexuality 2(2): 167-182.
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\nWilson, A. (2004). The Intimate Economies of Bangkok: Tomboys, Tycoons, and Avon Ladies in the Global City. Berkeley, University of California Press. Read chapter 2, pp. 68-101.
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\nRECESS WEEK [FEB 21 – MAR 1] ― FIELDTRIP TO PHUKET, FEB 23-27.
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\nWEEK 7 [MAR 6] ― CONVERSATIONS WITH AN ETHNOGRAPHER
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\n\tElinoff, E. (2012). "Smouldering Aspirations: Burning Buildings and the Politics of Belonging in Contemporary Isan." South East Asia Research 20(3): 381-397. [Dayna Chong]
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\n\tElinoff, E. (2014). "Unmaking Civil Society: Activist Schisms and Autonomous Politics in Thailand." Contemporary Southeast Asia 36(3): 356-385. [Jolene Wee]
\n\t\t\t\tClass Presentation (Readings) / Short Film | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t10% | \n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tParticipation in Classroom Discussions | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t20% | \n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tInterview-based Short Essay (2 pages) | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t20% | \n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tFieldwork Reflections (2 pages) | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t20% | \n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGroup Essay | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t30% | \n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tTotal C.A. | \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t100% | \n\t\t