Society and Culture of Thailand and Southeast Asia
The SCT Semester is an immersive, field-based program centered in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Students engage deeply with
Thai and Southeast Asian history, society, and culture through a block-structured curriculum combining academic
seminars, hands-on field studies, community visits, and a comparative field study in Vietnam. Thai Language is taught
throughout the semester.
| Weeks | Block / Period | Content & Field Studies |
|---|---|---|
Weeks 1–5 Block 1 | Thai History & Politics | Week 1 — Introduction & Thai Historiography Orientation and overview. Field study: Full-day city transect — Wat Ket Karam, Warorot Market, Tha Phae Gate, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh. Week 2 — Early Kingdoms: Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, and Lanna Field study: Three Kings Monument, City Arts and Cultural Centre, Lanna Folklife Museum, Wat Chiang Man. Week 3 — The Chakri Dynasty, Modernization, and Northern Thailand Field study: Full-day trip to Lamphun — Hariphunchai Museum, Wat Phra That Hariphunchai, Wat Chammathewi. Week 4 — Revolution, Cold War, and Military Rule Field study: Contemporary urban Chiang Mai field observation. Week 5 — Contemporary Thai Politics, Student Movements & Reflections Independent Field Research Project presentations. |
Weeks 6–7 Field Study | Integrative Field Study: Vietnam | ~10 Days: Chiang Mai → Hanoi Comparative study of Vietnamese history, ecology, culture, and the arts in relation to Thailand. Sites include the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long (UNESCO), Hoa Lo Prison, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Temple of Literature, Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, water puppet performance, village homestay in Hoa Binh Province, and Ha Long Bay (UNESCO) with a focus on coastal ecology, heritage management, and floating village communities. Students maintain a daily food and observation journal throughout. |
Week 8 Break | Fall Break | No classes. |
Weeks 9–12 Block 2 | Sustainability & the Environment | Week 9 — Introduction to Sustainability, Forest Conservation & Water Resources Field study: Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. Week 10 — Sustainable Agriculture & Community-Based Conservation 3-day residential excursion to Mae Taa Organic Farming Community. Week 11 — Coastal and Marine Sustainability Multi-day coastal trip: Sirindhorn International Environmental Park (Cha Am), Sirinart Rajini Mangrove Ecosystem Learning Center (Pak Nam Pran), local fishing community visit. Week 12 — Biodiversity, Wildlife, Climate Change & Looking Ahead Patara Elephant Conservation; synthesis seminar; Independent Field Research Project presentations. |
Weeks 13–16 Block 3 | Society, Culture & the Arts | Week 13 — Temple Architecture, Contemporary Art & Performing Arts Sa Paper Workshop; traditional dance class (Wankaomai Studio); street art workshop with Artist Muay; three temples + Chiang Mai Art Museum + MAIIAM; evening at Thapae East. Week 14 — Traditional Crafts, Textiles & Karen Village Excursion Sanpatong village visit; Wat Srisuphan silverwork workshop; Sang Ka Dee weaving workshop; 2-night Karen village excursion — Thai Silk village, Tong Fai Village, Mae Ming Village natural dye and weaving, Mae Jam District. Week 15 — Media, Food, Festivals & Contemporary Thai Culture Pottery lecture and Baan Muang Kung; independent field exploration; food and market observation; dinner and Lanna folk performance at Huan Soontaree. Week 16 — Synthesis & Final Presentations ARTANYWAY studio workshop; independent study; Independent Field Research Project final presentations. |
All 16 Weeks Language | Thai Language (4 credits) | Taught every afternoon throughout all 16 weeks when students are in Chiang Mai, providing continuous immersive language instruction alongside each content block. |
Semester Application Deadlines: Fall – March 15 / Spring – October 15
Summer Application Early Decision: January 15 / Deadline: April 15
Some programs fill quickly! Apply early to secure your spot. After the deadline we will accept students on a space available basis, so contact us at [email protected]
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