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GRADUATE
COMMUNITY > PHD CANDIDATES
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, PhD Candidate
I
am from the USA, working on my PhD here at the Department
of History of the National University of Singapore.
I earned my BA at the University of Hawaii and my
MA here at NUS. My main interest is the social and
political history of colonial Singapore in the nineteenth
and early twentieth centuries, especially involving
the intermingling of different communities.
Thesis
Title: A Community of Prestige: A Social History of the Cosmopolitan Elite Class in Colonial Singapore
PhD Thesis Committee: Prof Tan Tai Yong, Assoc Prof
Gregory Clancey, Assoc Prof Maurizio Peleggi
Elites of different races in colonial Singapore made social connections amongst themselves and developed a sense of fellow membership in a cosmopolitan community of prestige by taking part together in a system of status symbols. These elites created and sustained their system of status symbols; and, in the absence of a shared culture, these elites were socially integrated by their shared symbolic system, which gave cohesion to their class. This fact is especially socially significant, given that colonial Singapore was a multiracial and culturally diverse Settlement, where the population was divided by cultural boundaries. Since the leading members of different sections of this population were represented among the elites, the elite class could not base its sense of community upon shared cultural heritage or identity. Thus, colonial Singapore presents a case which highlights the importance of social and symbolic integration, rather than cultural or ethnic foundations of elite class cohesion.
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, PhD Candidate
My Bachelor’s degree is from Nanjing University. After I received the degree of Master of Arts at NUS, I worked in a TV station for a while. I have to say, work is boring, not as interesting as studying. That’s the reason I returned to NUS to work towards my PhD degree. I am busy, but happy at NUS. I practice traditional Chinese paintings and calligraphy, but my skills are a bit rusty nowadays. I love delicious food, enjoy traveling, watching movies, and reading fiction. I want to see the world with my own eyes, myopic eyes.
Thesis Title: A Social Historyof Silk Industry In Modern China
PhD Thesis Committee: Assoc Prof Thomas DuBois, Dr Medha Kudaisya, Dr Lee Seung-joon
This project is a social history of the silk industry in Sichuan province, concentrating on the Leshan region during the first half of the 20th century. This study is significant as there has been little scholarly attention on the silk industry in the small cities of Interior China. I will focus on the individual social and economic motivations of three distinct social groups which had played important roles in the silk industry: the peasants, local elites, and bureaucratic capitalists of the Guomingdang regime; and in turn examine the interactions between the three groups.
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, PhD Candidate
After
I graduated from Osaka University in Japan, I took
my first chance to study abroad. I moved to Bangkok.
Studying in Thailand for three years eventually
led me to Singapore. My research interests are Chinese
junk trade and Siamese-Japanese relations in the
17th century. I love movies as my pastime. But when
I have time, I usually go diving. I am looking forward
to having good time both at school and at sea in
Singapore.
Thesis
Title: Chinese Commercial Networks & Maritime
Organizations In Early Modern East & Southeast
Asia
PhD Thesis Committee: Prof Anthony Reid, Dr Thomas
Dubois, Assoc Prof Bruce Lockhart
I
am interested in the Chinese commercial networks
and maritime business activities in the East and
South China Seas during the late seventeenth and
early eighteenth centuries. My research questions
include: how maritime commerce integrated into the
early modern East and Southeast Asian polities,
what roles the Chinese traders played in it, and
how they operate their business.
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, PhD Candidate
I
received my bachelor's degree in history from Gadjah
Mada University in Yogyakarta, Indonesia in 1997.
From 1998 to 2001 I was a Research Associate with
the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies, Waseda University,
Tokyo, Japan. I have published several chapters
in edited books and articles in refereed journals.
Grew up in a musical family, I love music and play
the violin a bit. My favorite musicians range from
Sarah Brightman, Joe Satriani to "Dream Theater".
Hunting for used books and CDs are my favorite things
in leisure times, but nothing's more fun than chatting
with my naughty little nephews and nieces!
Thesis
Title: The ‘Enlightened’ Chinese and the Making of Modernity in Java, c.1890-1911
PhD Thesis Committee: Prof Anthony Reid, Dr Sai Siew Min, Assoc Prof
Paul Kratoska
This thesis focuses on the‘enlightened’ Chinese, the so-called kaum muda bangsa cina, and their contribution to the making of modernity at the turn of twentieth century Java. The Chinese was considered pariahs in colonial Java. They prospered economically, but was discriminated in politics, law and education. The kaum muda consist of enlightened men and women who were not satisfied with their position as second-class citizens and believed that only by embracing modernity could they reach the status of ‘civilized’ subjects in colonial Indonesia.
I would argue that one of the first steps to the modern world was literacy in the Roman alphabet acquired through various kinds of schools and mediums. The kaum muda wisely made use the existing lingua franca (Malay) to propagate ideas of progress. Not only to their Chinese brethren, but to the native people (bumiputera), as well. Therefore, at the turn of twentieth century, a Romanized-Malay public sphere was formed - thanks to the rise of Chinese print-capitalism and the advance of the Malay-language press. The press widely reported intra-Asian modernity exemplified by Japan, China and Singapore, which was well appreciated by the kaum muda. The kaum muda in Batavia followed suit and soon engaged in their first major transnational project of modernity: the establishment of Tiong Hoa Hwee Koan School (1901), one of earliest modern non-Western schools in the region.
The kaum muda dressed in Western clothes, cut their queues, discarded superstitious beliefs, established debating clubs and participated in modern sports. Yet at the same time, they adopted Confucianism as their spiritual guide, used the Confucius calendar, celebrated Confucian festivals and purchased Qing Honours. Therefore, the kaum muda created a paradox, adopted modernity yet invented tradition. At the same time, the kaum muda also inspired the natives with their restless struggle for modernity. Despite their role in the making of Indonesian nation, the kaum muda’s activities are—sadly—marginalized in Indonesian national history. This thesis expects a reappraisal to the contribution and role played by the ‘enlightened’ Chinese, the kaum muda bangsa Cina.
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, PhD Candidate
I signed on as a teacher on 8 July 1996. Along the way, I obtained my B.A. Dip. Ed. (Hons) and M.A. from NIE, Nanyang Technological University. (Diss. Supervisor: Prof. Daniel K. R. Crosswell) I left the education service on 1 Jan 2006.
Thesis Title: China's Foreign Policy in the Shadow of Eisenhower's Nuclear Deterrence, 1953-1961
PhD Thesis Committee: Assoc Prof Teow See Heng, Assoc Prof Huang Jianli, and Dr Yang Bin
Presently, I am examining the impact of President Eisenhower’s nuclear policies on Red China’s foreign policy outlook. Underlying Washington's aggressive foreign policy was the belief that Communist China would dominate the power vacuum in the wake of decolonization in Asia. The principles of NSC 68, the rhetoric of massive retaliation and the Eisenhower Doctrine further reinforced United States’ China policy. On the other hand, Mao Tse-tung’s seemingly ideological disdain for United States’ technological superiority via nuclear weapons did much to complicate and colour the relations between the two countries. This dynamic tension provides a window of opportunity to re-examine the interplay between Mao's strategic outlook and Eisenhower's nuclear policies.
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, PhD Candidate
The fact that people are always worried about the present, and try to make a good decision for their future has moved me to pursue my study in history. I did my first degree in history at Thammasat University, Bangkok, my home town. Then I did my M.A. at the Australian National University, Canberra, before starting my career as a lecturer at the Department of History, Thammasat University in 2001. Up till now searching for an interpretation of the past still fascinates me.
Thesis Title: Historical Perspectives on Consumption Culture in Thailand: A Case Study on History on Eating Out from the 20th Century to Present
Supervisor: Assoc Prof Maurizio Peleggi
Eating out, in some sense, is a social activity, an art to appreciate ourselves and others. It has full of meaning, value, taste, dynamics, innovations, and politics. Currently, eating out may be considered a common habit; however, it was rather precious in the past. My research paper is to search for characteristics and understanding of eating out culture in Thailand from the 20th century to the present.
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, PhD Candidate
Painting, music and sports add life to my years. Such happiness is the state I choose to be in. My experience thus far, has been in teaching. The challenge of helping my pupils grow to become independent and discerning thinkers is something I look forward to every single day. More importantly, I have realized that recognition is not the only barometer of brilliance or human worth. I therefore hope to contribute to efforts that might help the greater cause of humanity, while assisting the lives of a few people directly.
Thesis Title: Black Death Revisited: Bombay and the Plague (1896-1919)
Supervisor: Assoc Prof Gregory Clancey
Concern for health has been an important feature of all historical processes. My dissertation research will attempt to throw light on the socio-political significance of the developing concept of public health in British India, the encounter between western medicine and indigenous society, the adequacy and inadequacy of anti-plague measures, and the nature of British medical intervention and its impact on society. Of course, the plague with its political, social, economic and demographic consequences deserves many different approaches and interpretations which further research will attempt.
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, PhD Candidate
I earned my BA from San Diego State University (Asian Studies) and my MA from the University of Hawaii (Southeast Asian Studies). After completing my MA, I spent four wonderful years teaching Social Studies in Thailand before deciding it was time to further my education. My real passion has always been teaching. When I am not in the classroom I enjoy movies, mountain biking, surfing and traveling.
Thesis Title: Seventeenth & Eighteenth Century Siamese Governance and Trade: Was 1688 a Watershed in Siamese History?
Thesis Committee: Prof Anthony Reid, Assoc Prof Bruce Lockhart, Dr Michael Montesano
Through an examination of Siamese historiography, I will construct the Siamese elite’s self-image in the late Ayudhya period as reflecting in literature, laws, and history. My dissertation will show that 1688 was neither a watershed in Siamese history, nor a period of isolation and will establish continuity between the Prasatthong Dynasty and the ensuing Ban Phlu Luang Dynasty.
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, PhD Candidate
After receiving my bachelor and master degrees from Nanjing University in China, I left my parents and came to Singapore, not only to pursue a Ph. D degree, but also to make new friends, encounter new cultures and enrich my life. I have a huge number of interests, from rock music to Chinese traditional operas, from Michael Jordan to Hollywood, from Confucianism to modern Chinese history ……So, I am sure that we will find something in common.
Thesis Title: Transformation of Traditional Public Space - The Vicissitudes of Theatres in Modern Shanghai, 1850s—1930s
Public life is the best demonstration of local culture, and public space constitutes an ideal site for us to observe social changes. By examining the transformation of theatres in modern Shanghai and the relations between theatres and various social groups, I wish to find out more aspects of the social changes in modern Shanghai so as to deepen our understanding of the urban history and the social history of modern China.
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, PhD Candidate
Hi. I am Fumihito from Japan. I spent seven years taking BA and MA degrees at Dokkyo University, Saitama Japan. I am very happy to be in NUS studying history. I enjoy the International atmosphere of NUS, multicultural, multilingual and multinational - so many students from all over the world. Furthermore, NUS has a marvellous campus, a splendid mixture of modern buildings and tropical plants.
Thesis
Title: The Japanese Perceptions and Policies of the "Singapore Strategy" in the 1920's
Supervisor: Assoc Prof Brian Farrell, Assoc Prof Malcolm Murfett, Assoc Prof Teow See Heng
My thesis topic is on the history of Singapore Naval Base and Japanese perception toward the British “Singapore Strategy”. Britain built a new naval base in Singapore in the inter-war period. How did the Japanese government, especially the Imperial Japanese Navy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, perceive the British Far Eastern policies? How did they make their policies toward British “Singapore Strategy”? Since the Washington Conference, there was rivalry and antipathy between the “Fleet Faction” and the “Administrative Faction” within the Japanese Navy. Did this rivalry affect their policies? It was in April 1936 that Britain first became the hypothetical enemy of Japan. How did the Japanese consider the “Singapore Strategy” before that time? I will have to answer these questions. It is high time that we should consider the British “Singapore Strategy” from the Japanese point of view to broaden our understanding of the history.
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, PhD Candidate
I am from Fujian, China. I received my B.A. and M.A. from Fujian Normal University in Fuzhou city, Fujian province, my hometown. I like reading fiction, watching movies and listening to music. My favourite popular song is “The Most Romantic Thing” by Zhao Yonghua, a female singer from Taiwan. I am happy to find that Singapore is a clean city with trees, flowers and birds. And, NUS is a large and beautiful university. I hope to know more about the country and the university in the future.
Thesis Title: Maritime Custom Offices and Urban Development in the 18th & 19th Century China and Southeast Asia: Case Studies on Fuzhou, Xiamen, Penang & Singapore
Supervisor: Assoc Prof Huang Jianli, Assof Prof Teow See Heng, Dr Yang Bin
In the eighteenth and nineteenth century, the influence of the establishment of maritime custom offices on the development of cities in China and Southeast Asia is evident. Considering such a fact, it is significant to discuss the development of these port cities in a comprehensive way by studying Fuzhou, Xiamen, Penang and Singapore.
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