Life isn't divided up into neat disciplinary boxes. Learning about the world shouldn't be boxed in either.
Why limit learning to just one box? At the Department of Southeast Asian Studies, we break free from narrow disciplinary boundaries and offer a dynamic, subject-oriented curriculum. Our truly interdisciplinary approach blends diverse perspectives and methodologies from the humanities and social sciences, all deeply rooted in local experiences and knowledge. For students seeking a more holistic way to explore the world, this is where your journey begins.
News
Urbanising islands: A critical history of Singapore’s offshore islands
Did you know that Singapore boasts up to 54 surrounding islands, many of which were established through land reclamation post-independence? While most of these islands remain untouched, some play crucial roles in the city-state’s development. Given their relative obscurity and historical significance to most Singaporeans, ‘Urbanising Islands: A Critical History of Singapore’s Offshore Islands’, a …
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To Singapore for the buzz. To Johor for vast skies, open seas
Discover a thoughtful reflection on the contrasting charms of Singapore and Johor, written by our lecturer Dr Serina Rahman. She shares personal insights on the buzz of city life versus the calm of open skies and wide-open spaces across the Causeway. A meaningful read for those curious about both places and the lives lived between …
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Celebrating Singapore Studies: Sixty Years of Nationhood | Looking Back, Moving Forward Video Series – Episode 5: Innovation at the Intersections
As part of our ‘Celebrating Singapore Studies: Sixty Years of Nationhood’ campaign for SG60, we present the ‘Looking Back, Moving Forward’ video series — inviting reflection on how Singapore’s past shapes its future. Through the work of NUS FASS researchers, the series uncovers the complexities behind the nation’s celebrated ‘success story’, bringing to light the …
Archaeological Approaches and Possibilities in Humanities/Social Science Education in Singapore
In “Archaeological Approaches and Possibilities in Humanities/Social Science Education in Singapore” (Studies in Singapore Education: Research, Innovation & Practice, 2021), Professor John N. Miksic (NUS Southeast Asian Studies) and Associate Professor Geok Yian Goh (NTU) capture the essence of their life’s work — that archaeology is, above all, a deeply educational pursuit. In this essay, …
In Memoriam: Emeritus Professor John Miksic
Emeritus Professor John Norman Miksic, a distinguished scholar at NUS Southeast Asian Studies and Senior Research Fellow at Nanyang Technological University, passed away on 25 October 2025 at the age of 79. Professor Miksic first came to Singapore in 1968 while serving in the Peace Corps in Kedah, Malaysia, and went on to spend most …
“A Tale of Two Quakes: Politics of Foreign Assistance in Nepal and Myanmar” by Su Mon Thazin Aung and Zhao Yiran
Heads up: disaster aid isn’t always “just humanitarian.” In “A Tale of Two Quakes,” Su Mon Thazin Aung and Zhao Yiran draw a stark contrast between the world’s rollout of support after Nepal’s 2015 earthquake and how Myanmar’s 2025 quake barely made ripples in international aid. Spoiler: it’s not because Myanmar didn’t need help – …