The Association of Southeast Asian Nations: A Brief Introduction

On August 8, 1967, now celebrated as ASEAN Day, five southeast Asian nations (Indonesia; Malaysia; Philippines; Singapore; and Thailand) came together to sign the Bangkok Declaration. More than fifty years later, ASEAN represents a region which is rapidly becoming a new centre for the world’s political and economic activity, leading the organisation to add another five full members (Brunei; Cambodia; Laos; Myanmar; and Vietnam) and two observer nations (Papua New Guinea, and Timor Leste). In this course, we will examine how and why ASEAN was founded, and consider the important contributions that it has made to Asian and global politics.

This class will be delivered online via the online platform Zoom. Enrolling students need to ensure they have an email, a reliable internet connection, microphone/speakers and access to a tablet, smartphone or computer.

SUGGESTED READING

• Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). https://www.dfat.gov.au/international-relations/regional-architecture/asean
  
  

COURSE OUTLINE

• The history of ASEAN from its founding in 1967 until today.
• The structures of ASEAN.
• The contribution of ASEAN to regional and global politics.
  
  

PLANNED LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Understand the history of ASEAN from its founding in 1967 until today.
2. Comprehend the structures of ASEAN.
3. Appreciate the contribution of ASEAN to regional and global politics.