Academics

• Gain an understanding of Southeast Asia.
• Learn the basics of the Thai language.
• Develop your investigative skills by conducting ethnographic field research.

Academic Structure

Program Type: Understanding Southeast Asia is a Global Seminar. Global Seminars are short-term study abroad programs led by University of Minnesota faculty. Instruction is in English.

Level: 3000 level coursework.

Term: May 2010.

Prerequisites: None.

Courseload: One 3-credit course.

Prior to departure students attend a pre-departure orientation and receive pre-departure readings and requirements. Classes are held Monday through Friday and consist of lectures, discussions, and excursions. A farewell dinner is held at the end of the program.

Coursework

This course aims to foster and enhance students' understanding of contemporary Southeast Asia and of how the region has frequently been distorted by the West. Students will be exposed to the diverse perspectives of the region and will develop their critical, comparative, and interdisciplinary thinking through field trips to both Laos and the Northeast region (Isaan) of Thailand.

Each student is required to conduct a mini-ethnography involving field research. In addition, students keep a detailed journal reflecting on their cultural and language learning experiences. At the end of the course, participants submit a portfolio documenting what they have learned.

This course has been approved for Social Sciences core and International Perspectives theme.

Faculty Leader
This program is led by Dr. Gerald Fry, Professor of International/Intercultural Education. Dr. Fry carried out his doctoral field research in Thailand as well as completing 13 years of fieldwork in Southeast Asia. He led groups on trips to Southeast Asia every year between 1995 and 2006. He also led the Understanding Southeast Asia Global Seminar in 2008. He is fluent in both Thai and Lao.

Last modified on September 25, 2009