Monash University

Leader(s): Dr Brett Hough

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Clayton First semester 2009 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

The unit will give an introduction to the diversity of Islam throughout the Malay World. In particular, the unit will focus on ethnographic studies of Islam as practiced in diverse communities throughout the region. The unit will discuss issues such as the relationship between local customs and Islam; the role of Islam in politics and civil society; religious pluralism; the rise of extremist Muslim groups; and the relationship of Islam in the Malay world 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 the Malay World
2. discuss the relationship between local customs and Islamic orthodoxy
3. describe and assess the various ways in which people have sought to understand Islam in the Malay World
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.

Assessment

Participation:10%
Written work: 70% (3,500 words)
Test: 20%

Contact hours

One 2-hour seminar and one 1-hour film screening per week

Prohibitions

INS3020