INS3020 - Islam in Indonesia

Leader: Dr Brett Hough

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2007 (Day)

Synopsis

The unit will give an introduction to the diversity of Islam throughout present-day Indonesia. In particular, the unit will focus on ethnographic studies of Islam as practiced in diverse communities throughout the archipelago. The unit will discuss issues such as the relationship between local customs (adat) and Islam; the role of Islam in politics and civil society; religious pluralism in Indonesia; the rise of extremist Muslim groups; and the relationship of Islam in Indonesia to the wider context of Southeast Asia.

Objectives

After successfully completing this unit, students should be able to:

1. identify key features of Islam in Indonesia;
2. discuss the relationship between local customs (adat) and Islamic orthodoxy;
3. describe and assess the various ways in which people have sought to understand Islam in the Indonesian context;
4. use specific case studies to evaluate the validity of generalisations about Islam. For students taking the unit at Level 3 as part of a major in Indonesian studies there is the additional objective of use and critically evaluate Indonesian language materials

For students taking the unit at Level 3 as part of a major in Anthropology there is the additional objective of: critically evaluate the theoretical perspective of their ethnographic case study

Aims:
More generally students are expected to develop their abilities to:

1. use analytic and interpretative skills in dealing with ethnographic accounts;
2. read written sources and view visual material critically;
3. assess their own preconceived ideas about Islam;
4. present logical, coherent arguments both orally and in writing.

Assessment

Participation:10%; Class presentation (1500 words): 30%; Research essay (2000 words): 40%; In-class test (1000 words): 20%
Note: Students taking the unit at Level 3 as part of a major in Indonesian studies will be expected to make use of Indonesian Language material for their Research essay
Students taking the unit at Level 3 as part of a major in Anthropology will be required to demonstrate a greater critical awareness of the theoretical perspective of their ethnographic case study for their Research essay

Contact hours

One 2-hour seminar per week

Prohibitions

INS2020