Masters by Coursework
WHY DO A MASTERS IN CONTEMPORARY SOUTHEAST ASIA?
Our coursework Masters programme is a unique graduate degree option designed for those who aspire to internationalise their career and enrich their life experience through continued study in the social sciences. With a one-year investment, you can earn a Master of Arts degree awarded by one of the world’s top-ranking academic institutions, the National University of Singapore. Graduates of the MA in Contemporary Southeast Asia will be able to engage with ongoing issues about the region, equipped with robust knowledge, sharp analytical skills, and well-honed cross-cultural competencies.
WHY NUS?
- The NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) boasts the highest concentration of Southeast Asia specialists in the world.
- Students will be taught by the Department’s first-rate scholars in the social sciences and humanities. Keeping abreast of Southeast Asia’s latest developments, they conduct fieldwork and archival research across the region – from Thailand to Timor-Leste.
- Students will live and study in Singapore, a hub in Southeast Asia that presents a wealth of regional and international networking opportunities.
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
Students will gain integrated, interdisciplinary insights into Southeast Asia.
All students will read two core courses, covering:
- The history, economics, and politics of the region
- The region’s diverse social, religious and cultural landscapes
In addition, students will read courses from three thematic concentrations, which offer relevant lenses through which to analyse the challenges of our times:
- Natural Environment: Environment, land, and development
- Cultural Landscapes: Heritage, visual arts, and culture
- Regional Futures: Regional politics, technology, and the economy
Students’ learning is solidly grounded in theory and experiential learning, via:
- Country-specific seminar classes providing in-depth exposure to a single Southeast Asian country
- Masterclasses and field trips that invite students to gain new skills and learn about the region through immersion and practice
Please see below for precise details of the coursework requirements. To be awarded the MA by Coursework in Contemporary Southeast Asia, students must complete a total of 40 units.
CONTACT
For enquiries on the MA in Contemporary Southeast Asia programme, please email fasbox58@nus.edu.sg.
Special Course Preview: SEA5301 A/B Masterclass
This Masterclass will introduce students to the Central Javanese Gamelan, a traditional Southeast Asian musical ensemble which continues to be widely played in Indonesia. Students will receive hands-on instruction in learning to play the music. They will learn pieces in the Lancaran, Ladrang and Ketawang form, and will understand how the music is structured, as well as the cultural norms and roles of this music within Javanese culture. Through this, the Masterclass aims to also provide a starting point for students to explore cultures, communities, and traditions outside their own. No musical background is required. The musical content and expectations will be adjusted to the capabilities of the class and individual student.
