Prospective students may wonder, why study Southeast Asia in Washington, DC?
- Washington is home to world-class colleges and universities that offer undergraduate and graduate-level courses in Southeast Asia.
- Washington is the center for U.S. policy making on political, economic, trade and security issues concerning Southeast Asia.
- Washington hosts major think tanks, media headquarters, non-government organizations. strategic consultancies, and trade associations focused on Southeast Asia affairs.
- Global corporations doing business in Southeast Asia maintain corporate offices to be close to centers of power in Washington.
- Washington is a diplomatic center for Southeast Asia affairs where foreign embassy officials and visiting foreign leaders meet with U.S. policy makers in the State, Defense and Commerce Departments and the U.S. Congress, and with scholars at Washington academic and research institutions.
It’s all here – in Washington, DC! This resource provides a snapshot overview of the academic programs, language classes, and professional development opportunities that are relevant for the study of Southeast Asia and available from universities in the Washington, DC area. It will be updated each semester.
Programs
| University | School | Programs | Website |
| American University | School of International Service | BA in International Studies; BA in Global International Relations; MA in International Affairs | https://www.american.edu/sis/ |
| Georgetown University | School of Foreign Service | MA in Asian Studies; undergraduate certificates for Asian Studies | https://sfs.georgetown.edu/ |
| George Washington University | Elliott School of International Affairs | BA in International Affairs (Asia Concentration); BA Asian Studies | https://elliott.gwu.edu/ |
| Johns Hopkins University | School of Advanced International Studies | MA in International Relations – Asia | https://sais.jhu.edu/ |
| George Mason University | Schar School of Policy and Government; College of Humanities and Social Sciences | BA in Government and International Politics; BA in Global Affairs (Asia Concentration); Asia-Pacific and Northeast Asian Studies Minor | https://schar.gmu.edu |
| Howard University | College of Arts and Sciences | International Affairs Program | https://ids.howard.edu/academics/international-affairs |
| The Catholic University of America | School of Arts and Sciences | Minor in Asian Studies | https://arts-sciences.catholic.edu |
Spring 2023 Courses
| American University | Asia Studies | Introduction to Asia | This course offers a broad introduction to Asia by examining the cultural expressions and religious traditions of its various regions, each set in their appropriate historical context. Social, political, and economic institutions and relations in Asia are also examined. |
| American University | Asia Studies | Modern South & Southeast Asia | This course studies modern South and Southeast Asia from the nineteenth century to the present, a period which saw the collision of European colonialism with regional empires as well as movements for local sovereignty and the building of nation-states. This course examines the effects of these historical processes and question dominant understandings of colonialism, region, and nationalism. |
| American University | School of International Service | Environmental Politics of Asia | This seminar focuses on the environmental politics of Asia. It covers global, regional, and local environmental challenges. The class considers the transboundary impact of Asia’s environmental problems, including air and water pollution, biodiversity loss, climate change, and ozone depletion through the theoretical lenses of international relations theory, environmental security, human security, and anthropology |
| Georgetown University | Asia Studies | International Relations of SE Asia | This course introduces students to international relations and foreign policy of Southeast Asia from a local perspective. |
| Georgetown University | School of Foreign Service | US-Southeast Asia Relations in the Post-9/11 World | Examines the relationship between the US and Southeast Asia in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist bombings, which led the US to pay more attention to Southeast Asia due to the links between several militant Islamic groups. |
| Georgetown University | School of Foreign Service | Sovereign Risk and Asia | Focuses on sovereign case studies and examines common features of debt crises—namely, the 1980s Latin America debt crisis which engulfed the Philippines, the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis and the effect of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis on Asian sovereigns. |
| George Washington University | George Washington University | Art of Southeast Asia | Introduction to the arts of visual and material cultures of Southeast Asia covering areas of contemporary Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Indonesia, especially Java and Bali. |
| George Washington University | George Washington University | From Asia to America: Diasporas | *In course catalog but can’t find description anywhere – perhaps a rare / new course? |
| Johns Hopkins University | School of Advanced International Studies | International Relations of Southeast Asia | Considers the contemporary foreign policies and international relations challenges of major countries in Southeast Asia. Surveys key regional issues: evolution of ASEAN; security arrangements; trade conflicts and territorial disputes; the role of China, Japan and the United States; regional integration; transnational issues; and terrorism. Limited to 20 students. |
| Johns Hopkins University | School of Advanced International Studies | The U.S., Japan, and Great Power Competition in Southeast Asia | Chinese influence in Southeast Asia poses critical challenges to the U.S.-Japan alliance in an age of great power competition. We will explore those challenges and how the US and Japan are responding through the lenses of geopolitics, geoeconomics, grand strategy, and the arts of statecraft. We will bring these lenses to bear on the questions: “Why is Southeast Asia so important to the region’s great powers?” “How are the U.S. and Japan competing with China in Southeast Asia?” and “Is a regional order that imposes restraint on competing great powers possible?” |
| Johns Hopkins University | School of Advanced International Studies | Demystifying Indonesia: The Political Economy of an Important Southeast Asia State | Examines dynamics of power, business, politics and economic growth in Indonesia. |
| George Mason University | College of Humanities and Social Sciences | Introduction to Religions of Asia | Focuses on the traditional religions from Asia, particularly Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism from historical, comparative, and cross-cultural perspectives |
| George Mason University | Schar School of Policy and Government | Government and Politics of Asia | Examines government structures and political processes of Asian countries |
| Howard University | College of Arts & Sciences | Government and Politics of Southeast Asia | Covers the political situation in Malaysia, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam (North and South), and Indonesia |
| Howard University | College of Arts & Sciences | Geography of Asia | Studies natural regions, their present economic development and potentialities |
| The Catholic University of America | School of Arts and Sciences | Asian Security | Analyzes various international relations theories in the context of Asia (although emphasis is placed on East Asia, the course also raises important security issues pertinent to Southeast and South Asia) |
Fall 2022 Courses
| University | Department | Title | Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| American University | School of International Service | Introduction to Asia | The course offers a broad spectrum on Asia through examinations of the major philosophical, religious, and cultural characteristics of different regions, with each example set in an appropriate historic context. Social, political, and economic characteristics of Asia are also examined in this context. |
| American University | School of International Service | Modern South and Southeast Asia | Examines how we frame, discuss and understand South and Southeast Asia, including the critical events, philosophies and institutions that have set the two regions apart from other regions of Asia |
| American University | School of International Service | Topics in Asia, Pacific, and Diaspora Studies | An interdisciplinary examination of how migration, race, ethnicity, class, gender, age, region, nationalism, and other variables shape Asian and/or Pacific Islander diasporic experiences. Topics include Southeast Asian women and experiences of migration; family, migration, and the care economy in South and Southeast Asia; worldwide Korean diasporas; Asian communities in Latin America; literature of the Pacific Islands; and colonialism and Asian migrations. |
| American University | School of International Service | Governance, Development, and Security in Asia | Compares economic development strategies of the East Asian developmental states (Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore) and the more recent export-led growth models of Malaysia, China, and Vietnam. |
| American University | School of International Service | U.S.-China Relations | Examines politics and foreign policies of China and the US, and interactions between the two powers as well as their impact on international relations in Asia-Pacific, including Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia. |
| Georgetown University | School of Foreign Service | Ethnicity, Religion, and Conflict in Southeast Asia | Explore how ethnicity and religion are made and unmade, how they are used to establish social groupings and hierarchy, and how religion and ethnicity have been mobilized for various political projects. |
| Georgetown University | School of Foreign Service | Conflict and Order in Southeast Asia | Examines domestic issues such as regime instability, insurgencies, and organized crime as well as international issues such as terrorism and maritime disputes in the South China Sea. |
| Georgetown University | School of Foreign Service | US-SE Asian Relations: Post 9/11 World | Examines the relationship between the US and Southeast Asia in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist bombings, which led the US to pay more attention to Southeast Asia due to the links between several militant Islamic groups. |
| Georgetown University | School of Foreign Service | Sovereign Risk and Asia | Focuses on sovereign case studies and examines common features of debt crises—namely, the 1980s Latin America debt crisis which engulfed the Philippines, the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis and the effect of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis on Asian sovereigns. |
| George Washington University | Elliott School of International Affairs | History of Southeast Asia | Examines Vietnam and its neighbors from the pre-colonial period to the present. |
| George Washington University | Elliott School of International Affairs | Indo-Pacific Security Challenges | Covers global issues in the area from China, Japan, Korea and Australia to India and Pakistan, with the principal countries of Southeast Asia in-between. |
| George Washington University | Elliot School of International Affairs | Art of Southeast Asia | Introduction to the arts of visual and material cultures of Southeast Asia covering areas of contemporary Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Indonesia, especially Java and Bali. |
| George Washington University | Elliot School of International Affairs | Asia: History, Memory, Violence | Focusing on the themes of violence and historical memory, the course takes a comparative approach, looking at how these issues have played out in different arenas throughout East, Southeast, and South Asia. |
| Johns Hopkins University | School of Advanced International Studies | Demystifying Indonesia: The Political Economy of an Important Southeast Asia State | Examines dynamics of power, business, politics and economic growth in Indonesia. |
| Johns Hopkins University | School of Advanced International Studies | International Relations of Southeast Asia | Considers the contemporary foreign policies of major countries in Southeast Asia and key regional issues: ASEAN, security arrangements, trade conflicts, territorial disputes, the role of China, Japan and the US, etc. |
| Johns Hopkins University | School of Advanced International Studies | The US, Japan, and Great Power Competition in Southeast Asia | Explores Chinese influence in Southeast Asia and how the US and Japan are responding through the lenses of geopolitics, geoeconomics, grand strategy, and the arts of statecraft |
| Johns Hopkins University | School of Advanced International Studies | Biology and Society in Asia | Introduces concepts and frameworks of major non-Western knowledge systems about life with selected historical cases from China, India, Japan, Koreas and selected Southeast Asian countries. |
| Johns Hopkins University | School of Advanced International Studies | Asian Energy Security | Surveys the distinctive character of Asian energy security requirements. |
| George Mason University | Schar School of Policy and Government | Trade, Investment, and Politics in South and Southeast Asia | Focuses on trade and finance issues in the most dynamic countries of South and Southeast Asia. |
| George Mason University | Schar School of Policy and Government | Government and Politics of Asia | Examines government structures and political processes of Asian countries |
| George Mason University | College of Science | Environment and Development in Asia | Examines the relationship between the environment and development in selected countries of South, Southeast, and East Asia |
| George Mason University | College of Humanities and Social Sciences | Arts of Southeast Asia | Examines various cultural and artistic traditions of ancient Southeast Asia, with a focus on material culture of the great civilizations that arose within borders of modern Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Burma (Myanmar), Vietnam, Laos, and Malaysia |
| George Mason University | College of Humanities and Social Sciences | Religions of Asia | Focuses on the traditional religions from Asia, particularly Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism from historical, comparative, and cross-cultural perspectives |
| Howard University | College of Arts & Sciences | Government and Politics of Southeast Asia | Covers the political situation in Malaysia, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam (North and South), and Indonesia |
| Howard University | College of Arts & Sciences | Geography of Asia | Studies natural regions, their present economic development and potentialities |
| The Catholic University of America | School of Arts and Sciences | Asian Security | Analyzes various international relations theories in the context of Asia (although emphasis is placed on East Asia, the course also raises important security issues pertinent to Southeast and South Asia) |
Language Study
Student Groups related to East and Southeast Asia
| University | Student Group | Description | Contact |
| George Washington University (Undergrad) | Asian American Student Association | Provides a space for important conversations on issues prevalent to the Asian American community | [email protected] |
| Vietnamese Student Association | Promotes awareness of Vietnamese culture through events and services Welcomes all students who are interested in learning about Vietnamese culture | [email protected] | |
| Dear Asian Youth | Through various chapters, a literary magazine, and podcast, creates a platform for social change among Asian youth | [email protected] | |
| GWU East Asian Strategic Board Game Association | Promotes East Asian board games (including but not limited to Mahjong, Go/Wei-Chi, Chinese Checkers, Renju/Five-in-a-row), in the GWU community | [email protected] | |
| Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. – Alpha Beta Chapter | An Asian-interest, not Asian-exclusive, sorority | [email protected] | |
| Pi Delta Psi Fraternity Inc. | An Asian-Interest Fraternity whose mission is to foster individual academic achievement, cultural awareness, and friendship | [email protected] | |
| Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc. | A multicultural, Asian-interest sorority | [email protected] | |
| George Washington University (Graduate) | Organization of Asian Studies | Supports the professional, cultural, and social activities of Pan-Asian and diverse MBA students at the GWU School of Business | [email protected] |
| National Association of Asian MBAs | Prepares Asian heritage scientists and engineers for success in the global business world | [email protected] | |
| GW Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers | Represents the Thai student body at GU and promotes Thai culture | [email protected] | |
| Georgetown University (Undergrad) | GU Thai Association | Represents the Thai student body at GU and promotes Thai culture | https://www.instagram.com/georgetown.thai/?hl=en |
| Vietnamese Student Association | Promotes awareness of Vietnamese-American culture through cultural and philanthropic events | [email protected] | |
| Asian American Student Association | Provides support to the Asian American community in the areas of culture, political awareness, professional development, and community building | https://www.instagram.com/georgetownaasa/?hl=en | |
| Dear Asian Youth Georgetown | Leads Asian youth into intersectional empowerment where we uplift marginal communities, encourage engagement in societal issues, and celebrate each other and ourselves | https://www.daygeorgetown.com | |
| Asian Pacific American Law Students Association | Creates programming designed to foster the academic, social, and professional growth of the APA student body | https://www.gulcapalsa.com | |
| Georgetown University (Graduate) | Asia Business Consortium | Promote U.S. and Asian business and cultural interaction by providing a wide range of programs and networking opportunities to the Georgetown MBA community | [email protected] |
| Asia-Pacific Forum | Connects graduate students, alumni, and practitioners who are interested in Asian affairs, including East Asia and Southeast Asia | [email protected] | |
| American University (Undergrad) | Vietnamese Student Association | Preserve Vietnamese culture in the DMV area by promoting Vietnamese culture and tradition | [email protected] |
| ZARON: Student Research Institute on the Asia-Pacific | Promotes the Asia-Pacific cultures and studies throughout AU and DC through hosting academic & cultural events | [email protected] | |
| Asian American Student Union | Promotes cultural awareness and diversity of Asian Americans and Asian American-related issues at AU | [email protected] | |
| Johns Hopkins University (Undergrad) | Filipino Students Association | Promotes the culture of the Philippines through dance, food, and advocacy | https://jhu.campusgroups.com/fsa/home/ |
| Inter-Asian Council | Umbrella organization for the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American clubs | https://jhu.campusgroups.com/iac/about/ | |
| Singapore Students’ Association | Shares Singaporean history and culture through local activities, games, and food | https://www.facebook.com/SSAjhu/ | |
| Vietnamese Students Association | Builds community and advocates for the Vietnamese students at JHU | https://www.facebook.com/jhuvsa/ | |
| Johns Hopkins University (Graduate) | Alpha Kappa Delta Phi International Sorority, inc. | Asian-American interest sorority | https://jhuakdphi.weebly.com |
| Asian Pacific Public Health Network | Promotes public health in the Asia-Pacific region by creating a platform to share the region’s unique health challenges through social and educational events | https://www.facebook.com/jhapphn/ | |
| George Mason University (Undergrad) | Asian Pacific American Coalition | Serves as a voice for the APA student population at GMU | https://www.facebook.com/GMUAPAC/ |
| Vietnamese Student Organization | Promotes Vietnamese and Vietnamese American culture | https://mason360.gmu.edu/vsa/home/ | |
| Muay Thai at GMU | The purpose of this organization is to develop fighters of unwavering moral principles through touch physical training and the infusion of traditional Thai culture and values | https://mason360.gmu.edu/gmmt/home/ | |
| Alpha Kappa Delta Phi International Sorority | International Asian-Interest sorority that promotes sisterhood, philanthropy, scholastic excellence, and Asian-Awareness | https://mason360.gmu.edu/akdphi/home/ | |
| Pi Delta Psi Fraternity | Fraternity which promotes Asian awareness amongst members and throughout community | https://mason360.gmu.edu/pdpsi/home/ | |
| Lambda Phi Epsilon Fraternity | Asian-interest fraternity to guide men to in personal growth | https://gmulphie.wixsite.com/gmulphie | |
| George Mason University (Graduate) | Asian Graduate Student Association (AGSA) | Platform for APIDA grad students and alumni to engage in social and political initiatives, raise consciousness, and advocate for the university to meet APIDA student needs | https://mason360.gmu.edu/asiangradassoc/home/ |
Podcasts
Feed your passion in Asia with this growing list of free podcasts. If your organization works on Southeast Asia and wants to be included here, please reach out to [email protected].
| Asia In-Depth | Drawn from interviews with a broad range of experts, each episode gives a deep narrative exploration of important issues in Asia. | https://asiasociety.org/podcast-asia-depth |
| Eyes on Southeast Asia | This is a podcast on Southeast Asia, for Southeast Asia, by Southeast Asians. It features extensive strategic, foreign policy, political, and economic debate within and relating to Southeast Asia and ASEAN. | https://open.spotify.com/show/1sdmfVVtjkm1zhiMNCXyoA |
| New Books in Southeast Asian Studies | Interviews with scholars of Southeast Asia about their new books | https://open.spotify.com/show/0e32hL4Xg9VeaUZlHja6d5 |
| The Tea Leaves Podcast | Go behind the scenes with Bloomberg TV’s Shery Ahn and The Asia Group’s Managing Partner Rexon Ryu in a series of revealing interviews with policymakers, business leaders, journalists, and artists exploring the most dynamic and consequential region in the world. | https://theasiagroup.com/tea-leaves-podcast/ |
