Program Structure

MAPS Program Overview

This program provides students with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of the history, politics, law, and economies of the Asia-Pacific region. The program adopts multidisciplinary approaches to give students an understanding of contemporary regional issues; allows participants to integrate study of business, economics, politics and law; and prepares and trains graduates for careers in the public sector, diplomatic service, academic and research institutions, consultancies, and international organizations.

Field of Study

Program Information

Length Approx. 24 months full-time / 4 full semesters and 1 summer session
Medium of Instruction English language
Class Size 20 students
Campus

Most courses are taught at Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus, but some may be taught at ThaPrachan Campus

Program Requirements

The program lasts approximately 24 months (four semesters and one summer semester session) depending on number of public holiday in Thailand each ear, full-time, and requires the completion of 39 units.

  • A 27 unit course work component
    Core courses   18 Units
    Elective course   9 Units
  • A 12 unit research component

Course Syllabus

Students are required to complete six core courses. These core courses provide a foundational understanding of the Asia-Pacific region. This core group consists of five required courses and one elective. While the required courses are compulsory, the elective course allows students the choice of either one module in contemporary area studies or public policy.

Core Courses: General Education in International Economics, International Relations, International Law, and Asia-Pacific Studies
APS600 Foundation Asia-Pacific Studies

Core Course: International Economics Field
APS611 Economic Integration in the Asia-Pacific Region
APS612 Dynamism of Thai Economy

Core Course: International Relations Field
APS621 Political, Security, and Defense Strategies in the Asia-Pacific Region

Core Course: International Law Field
APS631 International Law and Regional Architecture

Core Courses: Research Methodology
APS681 Research Methodology

Elective Core Courses:
APS641 Contemporary Issues in Asia-Pacific Or
APS647 Public Policy Studies

Core Courses (6 subjects)

Core Courses (6 subjects)

Students are required to complete six core courses. These core courses provide a foundational understanding of the Asia-Pacific region. This core group consists of five required courses and one elective. While the required courses are compulsory, the elective course allows students the choice of either one module in contemporary area studies or public policy.

    1. Core Courses: General Education in International Economics, International Relations, International Law, and Asia-Pacific Studies
      1. APS600   Foundation Asia-Pacific Studies
    2. Core Course: International Economics Field
      1. APS611   Economic Integration in the Asia-Pacific Region
      2. APS612   Dynamism of Thai Economy
    3. Core Course: International Relations Field
      1. APS621   Political, Security, and Defense Strategies in the Asia-Pacific Region
    4. Core Course: International Law Field
      1. APS631   International Law and Regional Architecture
    5. Core Courses: Research Methodology
      1. APS681   Research Methodology

Elective Core Courses:

    1. APS641   Contemporary Issues in Asia-Pacific
      Or
    2. APS647   Public Policy Studies
Elective Courses (2 subjects)

Elective Courses (2 subjects)

Elective courses for this program are divided into four groups: integrated subjects, area studies, practical skills & capacity building and languages.

Integrated Subjects
Integrated subjects assimilate the study of many fields such as international economics, international relations, international law, business, policies, and other relevant issues to help students understand the Asia-Pacific region as a whole. Subjects offered include:

  1. APS613   International Business of the Asia-Pacific Region
  2. APS614   Issues in Trade Policy
  3. APS622   Comparative Politics and Governments of ASEAN
  4. ASP623   Comparative Politics and Governments of the Asia-Pacific Region
  5. APS624   International Relations and Foreign Policy in ASEAN
  6. APS625   International Relations and Foreign Policy in the Asia-Pacific Region
  7. APS632   International Disputes and Settlement
  8. APS633   International Law of the Sea
  9. APS682   Telecom Development Policies in the Asia-Pacific Region
  10. APS615   Issues in Trade Policy
  11. APS619   Selected Topics in Economics
  12. APS629   Selected Topics in International Relations
  13. APS639   Selected Topics in International Law

Area Studies
Area studies focuses on specific country and/or other area studies, particularly, economics and political developments of the country, policies, legal issues, and other issues relevant to the broader Asia-Pacific region.

  1. APS651   Development Path of ASEAN/Southeast Asia
  2. APS652   Development Path of Australia and New Zealand
  3. APS653   Development Path of Japan and Republic of Korea
  4. APS654   Development Path of Latin America
  5. APS655   Development Path of the People’s Republic of China and Republic of China (Taiwan)
  6. APS656   Development Path of the USA
  7. APS661   Selected Topics in Asia-Pacific Studies
  8. APS662   Selected Topics in ASEAN/Southeast Asia Studies
  9. APS663   Selected Topics in Australia and New Zealand Studies
  10. APS664   Selected Topics in Japan and Korea Studies
  11. APS665   Selected Topics in Latin America Studies
  12. APS666   Selected Topics in the People’s Republic of China and Republic of China (Taiwan) Studies
  13. APS667   Selected Topics in USA Studies

Practical Skills & Capacity Building
Practical skills & capacity building aim to strengthen students’ applied skills and capabilities. These subjects will focus on skills that are required for success in trade policy analysis and trade negotiation. These courses will be partially delivered from experts in fields from Asia-Pacific research and the Training Network (ARTNeT), and UNESCAP. Students will have an opportunity to study and work closely with certified experts from other institutes in the Asia-Pacific region and from government agencies in Thailand such as the Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  1. APS671   Quantitative Methods for Trade Policy Analysis
  2. APS672   Trade Negotiation Skills and World Trade Organization
  3. APS673   Trade and Investment Policy in the Asia-Pacific Region
Area Specialization for Thesis

Area Specialization for Thesis

Prior to the completion of the program, students are required to submit their thesis. There are 5 thesis clusters for students to choose from:

  1. Japan and Korea
  2. PRC and Taiwan
  3. Australia-New Zealand
  4. ASEAN/Southeast Asian Studies
  5. Telecom Policy and Development in Asia-Pacific
Annual Academic Conference and Graduate Student Seminar

Annual Academic Conference and Graduate Student Seminar

The program will hold an annual academic conference and the graduate student seminar as a combined event to provide students with the opportunity to present their theses and publish them in conference proceedings, and to facilitate thesis examination.

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Program Roadmap

Semester 1  Year 1 4 subjects 12 credits
APS 600 Foundation Asia-Pacific Studies 3 credits
APS 611 Economic Integration in the Asia-Pacific Region 3 credits
APS 612 Dynamism of the Thai Economy 3 credits
APS 6xx Elective Course 3 credits
     
Semester 2  Year 1 4 subjects 12 credits
APS 631 International Law and Regional Architecture in the Asia-Pacific Region 3 credits
APS 681 Research Methodology 3 credits
APS 621 Political, Security, and Defense Strategies in the Asia-Pacific Region 3 credits
APS 6xx Contemporary Issues in Area Studies/Public Policy Studies   1 subject 3 credits
     
Summer Semester 1 subject 3 credits
APS 800 Thesis 3 credits
     
Semester 1 Year 2 2 subject 6 credits
APS 6xx Elective Course 3 credits
APS 800 Thesis 3 credits
     
Semester 2 Year 2 1 subject 6 credits
APS 800 Thesis 6 credits

 

Note:

  • For APS681 Research Methodology, students are required to write up a Working paper and prepare and proposal for APS 800 Thesis.
  • Students are required to attend the thesis seminar and thesis examination that the program organizes outside Bangkok.
  • Students are required to present their thesis in the annual graduate seminar in their last semester after their thesis examination and are required to submit their presentation to the conference proceedings.

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