Shane Strate
Biography
I received my PhD in Southeast Asian history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2009. My geographic area of specialization is Thailand; thematic interests include imperialism, nationalism, and post-colonialism. Prior to arriving at Â鶹ÊÓƵ I taught at Wayne State College in Nebraska.
My book, The Lost Territories: Thailand's History of National Humiliation, examines two important and contrasting strands of Thai historiography: the well-known Royal-Nationalist history, which celebrates Thailand's long history of uninterrupted independence; and what I term, "National Humiliation discourse," its mirror image. Unlike triumphalist Royal-Nationalist narratives, National Humiliation history depicts Thailand as a victim of Western imperialist intervention. Although the state remains the hero in this narrative, it is a tragic heroism defined by suffering and foreign oppression.
As the resident Asianist here on the Kent campus, I teach courses on Modern India, Southeast Asia, Chinese Civilization, and Modern Japan. These are broad survey courses for students seeking an introduction to the countries and cultures of Asia.
Education
Expertise
Modern Thailand