Mainland Southeast Asian Literature

This course introduces the worlds of Cambodia, Vietnam, Burma, and Thailand through modern literature, including epic verse, short story, novel and contemporary poetry. Issues we will explore include transmission, circulation and censorship, but our principle concern is with voice.   The twentieth century dramatically expanded not only the media in which stories were told, but the repertoire of voices and forms through which literature was passed down. Through a close reading of the class texts, we will examine why some stories travel and gain traction in ways that ensure their longevity.  The course embraces the classical works Khun Chang Khun Phaen (Thailand, excerpts) and Tum Teav (Cambodia) as well as the modern novels Dumb Luck (Vietnam) and Not Out Of Hate (Burma).  Throughout the course, we will explore how cultures, stories and language echo and resonate across time even as regimes, genres and voices change.

Required Textbooks:

Not out of hate by Ma Ma Lay, Ohio University, ISBN: 0896801675

Dumb Luck by Vu Trong Phung, University of Michigan Press, ISBN: 9780472068043

In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner, Simon & Schuster, ISBN: 9781451657715

Recommended Textbook:

Khun Chang Khun Phaen translated by Chris Baker, University of Washington Press, ISBN: 9786162150456