Week 1: Southeast Asia: An Overview

• Introduction to the course


• Geopolitical importance of Southeast Asia (SEA)


• Diversity of SEA: religions, ethnicity, government regimes, vast national resources


• India and its impact in Southeast Asia


• China and its impact in Southeast Asia


• Colonial rules and its effects in Southeast Asia


• Southeast Asia countries - road to be independent


• Southeast Asia of present-day


• Conclusions

Week 2: ASEAN Community: An Overview

• Historical development of ASEAN: Journey to community building


• Rationales of ASEAN community


• Formation of ASEAN-6 (before 1992):

Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Brunei

• ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC)


• ASEAN Economic Community (AEC): Milestones


• ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC)


• Why an ASEAN is important for investors?


• ASEAN opportunities and challenges


• Conclusions

Week 3: The ASEAN Trade Patterns

• Basic Theories:
  
  
  
  
  • Theory of protectionism and trade liberalization
  
  
  • Theory of beside the free trade areas (FTA)
  
  
  • Rule of origin
  
  
  • Objective of free trade agreement
  
  
  
  


• ASEAN free trade agreements (AFTA): Political – Economy approach
  
  
  
  • Rationale of 1992 ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA)
  
  
  • Objectives of 1992 AFTA
  
  
  • Tariff reduction
  
  
  • Rationale and objectives of ASEAN Investment Area 1998 (AIA)
  
  
  • Benefits for investors
  
  
  • Factors affecting the implementation of AFTA
  
  
  
  


• ASEAN FTA Plus
  
  
  
  • The ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA)
  
  
  • ASEAN Plus Three (APT): ASEAN and China, Japan, South Korea
  
  
  • ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand
  
  
  • Others
  
  
  
  


• Conclusion

Week 4: The Southeast Asia Trade Patterns and Transitional Economies

• Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)and economic impact on ASEAN economies


• Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and economic impact on ASEAN economies


• ASEAN transitional Southeast Asian Economies: Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam (CLMV)
  
  
  
  • The potential benefits from ASEAN membership
  
  
  • Outcomes after joining ASEAN, AFTA and WTO
  
  
  • Difficulties and Challenges during 1990s
  
  
  • Case study: Vietnam
  
  
  
  

 Week 5: The 1997 Asian Crisis and Its Aftermath on the ASEAN Economies

• Basic Theories:
  
  
  
  • Currency crisis
  
  
  • The impossible trinity: free capital flow, independent monetary policy, fixed exchange rate
  
  
  
  


• Before the 1997 Asian crisis


• The causes of the 1997 Asian crisis: Thailand, Indonesia, Phillipines


• Economic impacts on inflation, GDP growth, unemployment and standard of living


• Road to economic recovery in ASEAN countries after the 1997 Asian crisis


• Lessons learn from the crisis


• Conclusion

Week 6:  The Economy of Singapore: An Overview

• Macroeconomic indicators: GDP, GDP per capital, labor forces, ease of doing business


• The successful stories of Singapore economy


• The role of government on Singapore economy


• Role of Singapore in ASEAN community


• The Covid-19 Pandemic: Economic Impact and Response in Singapore


• Challenges and future prospects


• Conclusions

Week 7: The Economy of Vietnam: An Overview

• Economic development after Vietnam war


• Macroeconomic indicators: GDP, GDP per capital, labor forces, ease of doing business


• Foreign trade: import and export


• Foreign direct investment in Vietnam


• Main industries of Vietnam


• The role of government on Vietnam economy


• Samsung and its role on Vietnam economy


• The Covid-19 Pandemic: economic impact and response in Vietnam


• Challenges and future prospects


• Conclusions

Week 8: The Economy of  Thailand: An Overview

• Macroeconomic indicators: GDP, GDP per capital, labor forces, ease of doing business


• Main industries of Thailand


• Foreign trade: import and export


• Foreign direct investment in Thailand


• The economic story of Thailand


• Role of  Thailand in ASEAN community


• The Covid-19 Pandemic: Economic Impact and Response in Thailand


• Challenges and future prospects


• Conclusions

Week 9: The Economy of  Indonesia: An Overview

• Macroeconomic indicators: GDP, GDP per capital, labor forces, ease of doing business


• Globalization and industrialization: main industries of Indonesia


• Foreign trade: import and export


• Foreign direct investment in Indonesia


• The role of government on Indonesia economy


• The Covid-19 Pandemic: Economic Impact and Response in Indonesia


• Challenges and future prospects


• Conclusions

Week 10: The Economy of  Malaysia: An Overview

• Macroeconomic indicators: GDP, GDP per capital, labor forces, ease of doing business


• Globalization and industrialization: main industries


• Foreign trade: import and export


• Foreign direct investment in Malaysia


• The role of government on Malaysia economy


• The Covid-19 Pandemic: Economic Impact and Response in Malaysia


• An economic story of Malaysia


• Challenges and future prospects


• Conclusions

Week 11: The Economy of  Philippines and Brunei: An Overview

• Macroeconomic indicators: GDP, GDP per capital, labor forces, ease of doing business


• An economic stories of Philippines and Brunei


• Foreign trade: import and export


• Foreign direct investment in Philippines and Brunei


• The role of government on Philippines and Brunei economy


• Challenges and future prospects


• Conclusions

Week 12: The Economy of  Cambodia and Laos : An Overview

• Macroeconomic indicators: GDP, GDP per capital, labor forces, ease of doing business


• Globalization and industrialization: main industries


• Foreign trade: import and export Cambodia and Laos


• The role of government on Cambodia and Laos economy


• Challenges and future prospects


• Conclusions

Week 13: China - Southeast Asia Trade Relations

• Political and economic relations between China and Southeast Asia


• Recent development between China and Southeast Asia


• China – Indonesia economic ties


• China – Singapore economic ties


• China – Cambodia economic ties


• China – the Philippines economic ties


• Southeast Asia and trade war between the United States and China


• Production networks within East Asia


• Power relations in the region


• Conclusion

Week 14: Rising China, US Influence, and Southeast Asia: Economic and Political Concerns

• Southeast Asia and trade war between the United States and China


• US – China trade war and Vietnam economy


• South China Sea disputes


• Diplomacy relations between China and Southeast Asia countries


• Opportunities and challenges


• Conclusion

Week 15:  Oral Reports

Week 16:  Oral Reports

Week 17 & 18:  ASEAN Challenges and Future Prospects

Flexible schedule for reading materials and written reports 

• Present overview


• ASEAN aspiration


• SWOT analysis: Strengths, weakness, opportunities, threats


• Key challenges


• Enhancing macroeconomic and financial stability


• Promoting comprehensive and innovation


• Protecting environment

Students are expected to review all assigned materials before class to maximize in-class time for practice and discussion. All assignments must be submitted to the instructor via email by the specified deadlines. Final grades will be calculated based on the following components:

• Attendance: 40%


• Oral Presentation: 30%


• Written Exam: 30%

Notes:

• Each group (3–5 students) is required to deliver a presentation on a case study that reflects any topic relating to the regional economy within Southeast Asian countries.


• Active participation in in-class Q&A sessions will earn additional points toward the final grade.


• Written exam is open book/ electronic equipment is allowed.

Sources:

[1] Southeast Asia in Search of an ASEAN community.

[2] ASEAN Economic Community. Available online: https://asean.org/asean-economic-community/

[3] Rodolfo C. Severino  (2016). ASEAN Economic Community.

[4] Jose L. Tongzon (2002). The Economies of Southeast Asia Before and After the Crisis.

[5] Kiki Verico. (2017). The future of the ASEAN Economic Integration.

[6] Helen E.S. (2009) Southeast Asia in the Global Economy, pp. 98-114.

[7] Saw Swee- Hock. (2009). Managing Economic Crisis in Southeast Asia, pp.1-95 and 214-246.

[8] Das, Sanchita. (2016). Can the US-ASEAN Connect Initiative Create Stronger US-ASEAN Economic Relations?

[9] Min- Hua Chiang. (2019). China–ASEAN economic relations after establishment of free trade area, pp. 267-290.

[10] ASEAN industries and Challenges from China, pp. 18-38.

[11] Young-Chan Kim. (2016). Chinese Global Production Networks in ASEAN, pp. 1-37.

[12] Stephen and Chery. (2019). China and The ASEAN Economies: Interdependence and Rivalry, PP.381-394

[13] The ASEAN Secretariat and UNCTAD, ASEAN Investment Report 2017, 2018, 2019.

[14] Kunal Sen (2016) Global Production Networks and Economic Corridors: Can They Be Drivers for South Asia’s Growth and Regional Integration, No.33.

[15] Lili Yan Ing (2019).  Production Networks in Southeast Asia.

[16] Young-Chan Kim (ed.) (2016). Chinese Global Production Networks in ASEAN.

[17] Vilavong (2016). Global production sharing and trade patterns in ASEAN.

[18] Ngeow Chow Bing (2015). Taiwan’ Go South Policy, pp. 96-126.

[19] Alan Hao Yang, Hsin-Huang Michael Hsiao (2016). Tai-shang (Taiwan Business) in Southeast Asia: Profile and Issues.

[20] SME Policy Index: ASEAN 2018, Boosting Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth, OECD publishing.

 [21] Participation and benefits of SMEs in GVCs in Southeast Asia, 2019, OECD publishing.

[22] Lopez Gonzalez, 2017, Mapping the participation of ASEAN- SMEs in global value chain, No. 203, OECD publishing, Paris.

[23] Rajah Rasiah, 2016, Globalization, Industrialization and Labor Markets in East and South Asia, pp. 57-165.

[24] The ASEAN Secretariat and UNCTAD, ASEAN Investment Report 2017.

[25] Economic Outlook for Southeast Asia, China and India 2020: Rethinking Education for the Digital Era, OECD publishing, pp. 95-144.

[26] Barr and Attrey, Building local responsiveness in employment and skills systems in Southeast Asia, OECD publishing, pp. 6-21.

[27] Economic Outlook for Southeast Asia, China and India 2020: Rethinking Education for the Digital Era, OECD publishing, pp. 95-144.