東南亞地處印度洋與太平洋的交通樞紐位置，地理環境多變，生態多樣，民族複雜，文化多彩，物產豐饒，自古即是東西貿易的必經之地，亦是近代西方殖民勢力擴張的必爭之地，近年更因美中兩大強權的政經對抗與南海主權爭端，一躍而為國際地緣政治與經濟戰略的焦點，在美中貿易衝突中成為轉單效應與全球供應鏈重組的主要受益者。臺灣與東南亞在地理上毗鄰且長期存在著緊密的雙邊社經關係──臺灣不但是東南亞國家重要的貿易伙伴與投資來源，同時因應婚姻、勞力、教育等需求而有大批東南亞新移民前來臺灣，已構成臺灣多元文化社會的重要一環。然而，直至今日臺灣社會對於東南亞的認識仍相對匱乏且充滿歧視，故本課程之開設，期能激發更多學生對於東南亞的興趣，使之通古知今，引領其更多地認識這個處處令人驚艷的地方。

Southeast Asia is located at the transportation hub of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. It has a changeable geographical environment, diverse ecology, complex ethnic groups, colorful cultures, and rich products. It has been a necessary place for east-west trade since ancient times and a must-have for the expansion of Western colonial power in modern times. In recent years, due to the political and economic confrontation between the two major powers of the United States and China and the South China Sea sovereignty dispute, it has become the focus of international geopolitics and economic strategy. In the U.S.-China trade conflict, it has become the main beneficiary of the re-order effect and the restructuring of the global supply chain. Taiwan and Southeast Asia are geographically adjacent and have long-standing close bilateral socio-economic relations. Taiwan is not only an important trading partner and source of investment for Southeast Asian countries, but also has a large number of new immigrants from Southeast Asia coming to Taiwan to meet their needs for marriage, labor, education, etc., forming an important part of Taiwan's multicultural society. However, until today, Taiwanese society still has a relatively poor understanding of Southeast Asia and is full of discrimination. Therefore, the establishment of this course is expected to stimulate more students' interest in Southeast Asia, enable them to learn about the past and present, and lead them to know more about this amazing place.

Thomas R. Leinbach & Rchard Ulack, 李美賢、楊昊等譯，《東南亞多元與發展》part 1 (臺北：財團法人亞太文化學術交流基金會，2009年) 。
Thomas R. Leinbach & Rchard Ulack, 李美賢、楊昊等譯，《東南亞多元與發展》part 2(臺北：財團法人亞太文化學術交流基金會，2010年) 。

Thomas R. Leinbach & Rchard Ulack, translated by Li Meixian, Yang Hao and others, "Diversity and Development in Southeast Asia" part 1 (Taipei: Asia Pacific Cultural and Academic Exchange Foundation, 2009).
Thomas R. Leinbach & Rchard Ulack, translated by Li Meixian, Yang Hao and others, "Diversity and Development in Southeast Asia" part 2 (Taipei: Asia-Pacific Cultural and Academic Exchange Foundation, 2010).