Southeast Asia Crossroads Podcast - CSEAS @ NIU

Ernest Plange Kwofie drops by the studio to discuss ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Kwofie talks about the interpersonal politics of the organization and how it differs from similar Western organizations like the European Union. He looks at the organization's effectiveness in responding to threats as well as its ability to implement and enforce policies within its member nations. Ernest Plange Kwofie is a PhD candidate in the Department of Political Science specializing in comparative politics and international relations at Northern Illinois University.

Dr. Wannasarn Noonsuk joins Dr. Nam Kim to discuss early civilizations in what is now Vietnam and how uncovering creations of the past sheds light on the shifting cultural landscape of ancient Mainland Southeast Asia. They also examine how changing views of the past help to inform local and academic understandings of the region today. Dr. Nam Kim is a Professor of Anthropology and the Director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He studies society and social organization through archaeological artifacts and specializes in Southeast Asia and Vietnam. Dr. Wannasarn Noonsuk is an associate professor in the Department of Art, Design, and Art History at California State University. He specializes in the archaeology of Peninsular Thailand as well as early maritime trade in Southeast Asia.

Dr. Muzakki Bashori sits down to discuss his new book “When the Rice Cries” a children's story that uses rice idioms to teach about the importance of reducing food waste. Bashori discusses Javanese language conservation and his mission to promote the use of Javanese among children in Indonesia. Dr. Muzakki Bashori is a Lecturer and researcher at Universitas Negeri Semarang. His research focuses on speech recognition and speaking anxiety as well as the upkeep and revitalization of the Javanese language.

Dr. Joel Selway sits down with Phanuphat Chattragul to discuss his research on shifting notions of Thai identities. He examines Thai identities within the context of various ethnic groups and geographical regions through surveys and interviews. Dr. Joel Selway is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Brigham Young University. He specializes in studying democratic systems in ethnically diverse societies. Phanuphat Chattragul is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Political Science at NIU.

Dr. Eliott Prasse Freeman sits down to discuss his new book: “Rights Refused Grassroots Activism and State Violence in Myanmar.” The discussion focuses on the evolution of the concept of human rights, from its categorical, colonial understanding to its impact on modern-day Myanmar. Freeman cites examples of spiritual practices surrounding political protests and the different ways that activists have fought for rights throughout modern history. Dr. Eliott Prasse Freeman is an Assistant Professor of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Singapore. He is a Burma Studies specialist who researches human rights, political protest, and violence. Book available now through Standford University Press at: https://www.sup.org/books/anthropology/rights-refused