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Southeast Asia Program

Cornell University

Teaching Materials

SEAP outreach offers both physical and digital Southeast Asian studies teaching materials for educators at all levels, from elementary to post-secondary. The materials cover the history, geography, and cultures of Southeast Asian countries, including Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. 

Curriculum Guides and Lesson Plans

SEAP develops and shares teaching guides, lesson plans, and other classroom materials that make it easier for educators to integrate Southeast Asia into their curricula. These resources highlight key themes in history, literature, religion, and contemporary society, and are adaptable for multiple grade levels.

Find curriculum guides and lesson plans(link is external) for educators of all levels archived on eCommons.

Resources at Cornell

Resources Outside Cornell

Films and Multimedia Resources

SEAP’s lending collection includes films and multimedia materials that offer accessible entry points into Southeast Asia’s diverse cultural and social landscapes. These resources are valuable for sparking classroom discussion and providing comparative perspectives on global issues.

We are also pleased to offer two short documentary films on Vienam. These engaging films with accompanying discussion guides are intended for use in middle school, high school, and undergraduate classrooms. Students who view them will benefit by learning about diverse communities and cultures in Vietnam. They examine Vietnam and the controversies around U.S./Vietnam relations from multiple perspectives and synthesize conflicting views, broaden their understanding of Vietnam, and reflect critically on their own assumptions about Vietnam. 

Vietnam's Food Systems:(link is external) This film explores Vietnam’s historical cuisine, agricultural landscape, and climate challenges. It is intended to be used with the downloadable discussion guide in middle school, high school, and undergraduate classrooms.

Vietnam: A Changing Nation:(link is external) This film explores Vietnam’s rising economy, modern society, and religious traditions. It is intended to be used with the downloadable discussion guide in middle school, high school, and undergraduate classrooms.

Lending Library

SEAP maintains a lending library of books, films, and culture kits available to educators and community partners. SEAP culture kits contain authentic items from across Southeast Asia and are designed to give students a hands-on learning experience. Each kit includes objects, background information, and suggested activities that help students connect more directly with the cultures of the region. Materials can be borrowed for use in classrooms, workshops, and public programs.

To request items, please contact the SEAP Outreach team: