**A Vital Reassessment of Southeast Asian Studies: Challenging Western Dominance** *Knowing Southeast Asian Subjects*, edited by Laurie J. Sears (University of Washington Press, 2007), is a pivotal collection of essays examining the evolving field of Southeast Asian Studies in the face of burgeoning scholarship originating from within the region itself. This book isn’t just about Southeast Asia; it’s about the *study* of Southeast Asia and how that study is being fundamentally reshaped. Moving beyond a purely descriptive or historical approach, Sears and her contributors (representing diverse disciplines like anthropology, history, and political theory) critically interrogate the field’s ingrained assumptions, power dynamics, and often-unacknowledged Western biases. The essays delve into how Southeast Asian scholars are challenging established narratives, asserting their own perspectives, and reclaiming their intellectual agency. Think of it as a long-overdue conversation about who gets to define Southeast Asia and how. The book explores how postcolonial theory, feminist perspectives, and critical analyses of globalization are forcing a re-evaluation of traditional research methodologies and pedagogical approaches. It specifically questions the dominance of Euro-American academic frameworks and seeks to create space for more equitable and collaborative knowledge production. This book is essential reading for anyone engaged in Southeast Asian studies, Asian studies more broadly, or critical discussions about area studies in the 21st century. Sears expertly curates a collection that is both intellectually rigorous and deeply relevant to the ongoing debates about decolonizing the academy. ISBN: 978-0295986838, 296 pages.

The essays in Knowing Southeast Asian Subjects ask how the rising preponderance of scholarship from Southeast Asia is de-centering Southeast Asian area studies in the United States. The contributions address recent transformations within the field and new directions for research, pedagogy, and institutional cooperation.

Contributions from the perspectives of history, anthropology, cultural studies, political theory, and libraries pose questions ranging from how a concern with postcolonial and feminist questions of identity might reorient the field to how anthropological work on civil society and Islam in Southeast Asia provides an opportunity for comparative political theorists to develop more sophisticated analytic approaches. A vision common to all the contributors is the potential of area studies to produce knowledge outside a global academic framework that presumes the privilege and even hegemony of Euro-American academic trends and scholars.

**Explore the Shifting Landscape of Southeast Asian Studies in the 21st Century** *Knowing Southeast Asian Subjects (Critical Dialogues in Southeast Asian Studies)*, edited by Laurie J. Sears and published by the University of Washington Press in 2007, offers a compelling and critical examination of the evolving dynamics within Southeast Asian area studies. This thought-provoking collection of essays delves into how the increasing influence and prevalence of scholarship originating *from* Southeast Asia is reshaping and, in some ways, decentering the traditional Western-dominated perspectives that have historically defined the field in the United States. In a world increasingly interconnected yet still grappling with legacies of colonialism and uneven power dynamics, this book addresses fundamental questions about knowledge production, academic authority, and the very nature of area studies itself. The contributing authors, representing diverse academic disciplines including history, anthropology, cultural studies, and political theory, challenge readers to reconsider established frameworks and embrace new methodologies. **Key questions explored in *Knowing Southeast Asian Subjects* include:** * **The Impact of Postcolonial and Feminist Perspectives:** How can the integration of postcolonial and feminist theories and methodologies reorient and enrich our understanding of Southeast Asian identities, cultures, and societies? * **Civil Society, Islam, and Comparative Political Theory:** How can anthropological research on civil society and the role of Islam in Southeast Asia contribute to the development of more nuanced and sophisticated analytical approaches within comparative political theory, moving beyond Eurocentric models? * **Decentering Euro-American Hegemony:** What are the possibilities for area studies to generate knowledge that transcends the limitations of a global academic framework that often privileges the intellectual trends and scholars of Europe and North America? *Knowing Southeast Asian Subjects* does not offer easy answers. Instead, it invites readers to engage in a critical dialogue about the challenges and opportunities facing Southeast Asian studies in the 21st century. It prompts us to consider how we can foster more equitable and collaborative research partnerships, promote diverse voices and perspectives, and create a more inclusive and relevant field of study. **For scholars, students, and anyone interested in the future of Southeast Asian studies, globalization, and the politics of knowledge, this book is an indispensable resource.** It provides a much-needed critical assessment of the field and offers valuable insights into how we can move towards a more decolonized, inclusive, and globally relevant understanding of Southeast Asia. Laurie J. Sears, a respected scholar in the field, expertly guides the conversation through this collection of essays, making it an essential addition to any academic library or personal collection.

Authors	Laurie J. Sears
Binding	Paperback
Condition	New
ISBN-10	0295986832
ISBN-13	9780295986838
Language	English
Pages	296
Publisher	University of Washington Press
Year published	2007
Weight	435
Dewey decimal	959