This seminar will explore the cultural, economic, social, political and religious history of the Chinese diaspora in 19 to 21 century Southeast Asia. Our focus is the shifting contexts of migration, representation and strategies of cultural identification/survival. We will explore colonial and nationalist projects, both in Southeast Asia and in China, to categorize “Overseas” Chinese through policies of taxation, and examine cultural flows, the role of religious and educational and associations and institutions, print and cinematic media, and material culture. Our primary focus countries are Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand.