Southeast Asian Studies Certificate – CTSEAG

Asian Studies, Center for International Studies
Yamada International House
Ohio University
Athens, Ohio 45701
740.593.1840
suzuki@ohio.edu

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus

Terms of Entry: Fall, Spring

Enrollment Eligibility: Current degree-seeking student

Certificate Overview

The rich cultures, traditions, and societies of Southeast Asia are the focus of this interdisciplinary program supporting graduate studies at the masters and doctoral levels at Ohio University. This certificate program provides opportunities for focused study of this important and dynamic region of the world. Three thematic areas of specialized studies are offered that provide students an opportunity to organize their coursework in a way that not only gives them an overview of the Southeast Asian region, but provides an interdisciplinary yet coherent set of options.

Globalization, Conflict, and Social Change

This thematic grouping of courses examines processes of social and cultural transformation in colonial and postcolonial periods. Special attention is given to the challenges of living in a global world. Topics include socioeconomic development, urbanization, ethnic conflict, state violence and genocide, and other forms of public action for social change.

Gender, Ethnicity, and Religion

These modes of identity help form the basis of modern communities and nation-states of Southeast Asia. Topics include the construction of ethnic and national identities during colonial and post-post-colonial periods, the meanings and values associated with gender identities, and historical forces that change and shape religious traditions of the region.

Arts, Popular Culture, and the Media

Asia’s complex and widely varied cultures present a rich array of unique regional art forms and performance practices that are studied in this specialty. In contemporary societies, these artistic expressions have been extended and reformed in modern popular cultures and in media representations. Topics within this specialization include subjects such as puppetry of Southeast Asia, Art History of Asia, Modern and Traditional Literature of Southeast Asia, and Comparative Media Systems.

Certificate Learning Outcomes

1. Students will be able to synthesize core area concepts and theories and acquire the skills to apply and evaluate these concepts to global opportunities and challenges.
2. Students will be able to develop effective written and oral communication skills, characterized by the ability to write and present in the styles and forms that are acceptable in the professional world and/or for research in international studies.

Opportunities upon Completion

The academic program of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies is intended to give individuals freedom to pursue interests best suited to their personal professional and academic goals within an international and cross-cultural context. Students completing this certificate program may seek careers in private sector business, state and federal government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and international development agencies, as well as scholarly careers in teaching and research. Many master’s student may pursue additional studies by incorporating their certificate coursework in doctoral programs.

Admission Requirements

No additional requirements beyond university graduate admission requirements.

International Students

This certificate program alone does not permit full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 cannot be issued based on admission to this certificate. However, this certificate can be completed as during any Ohio University graduate program, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to that degree program.

Completion Requirements

To complete this certificate, three core courses must be completed, preferably conforming to one of the three thematic specialty areas noted above, along with two semesters of a language appropriate to the region or its equivalent. If a student wishes to organize their choices with a different theme in mind, this is possible with the advice and consent of the program director. Also, if native fluency in a language is already possessed, two additional core courses may be substituted, with the approval of the program director.