GEOG 113C – Geography of East and Southeast Asia

NOTE: The following is an archive of the class material I offered as a Professor at Hofstra University (1999-2024).

A geographical analysis of several modern states in East and Southeast Asia, commonly known as Pacific Asia. Pacific Asian economies have experienced various phases of economic development since the end of World War II. Some like Japan are among the most advanced economies in the world, while others have been left behind. This region has strongly been shaped by globalization and the emergence of the Chinese population giant is likely to transform the region well into the 21st century.

Topics will include geographical and socioeconomic features of Japan, China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and other countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Problems and prospects of Asian development in the region, as well as geographical issues related to urbanization, transport systems, agriculture, and resource development, are covered.

The main objectives of the course are:

• An overview of the geographical features underlining the vastness, heterogeneity, and complexity of East and Southeast Asia.
• An inquiry into specific historical, economic, social, cultural, and political environments related to each Pacific Asian country.
• Understanding current issues, problems, and prospects about Pacific Asia from a multidisciplinary perspective.

It is expected that at the end of the course, the student will have a good understanding of contemporary geographical issues of Pacific Asia.

PowerPoint Slides

• Topic 1 – The Pacific Asian Space
• Topic 2 – Historical Geography of Pacific Asia
• Topic 3 – Economy and Society (Part A, Part B)
• Topic 4 – Japan and its Corporate Hegemony (Part A, Part B, Part C)
• Topic 5 – China, the Awakening Giant (Part A, Part B, Part C)
• Topic 6 – East Asian Tigers: Taiwan, South Korea and Hong Kong
• Topic 7 – Southeast Asia
• Topic 8 – The Excluded: North Korea, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia

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