Indonesian studies

The Indonesian studies major emphasises competence in intercultural communication, while adopting a cross-disciplinary approach. It focuses on the interaction of culture and language with particular reference to history, performing arts, journalism, literature and translation. The major will facilitate your progress towards a high level of communication skills integrating language skills in both standard and colloquial varieties of Indonesian. The development of language skills is set within the broader social and cultural contexts of Indonesia and the Malay world of Southeast Asia.

There are three streams within the major: (i) Introductory, for students with no previous knowledge of Indonesian or Malay; (ii) Intermediate, for students with VCE Indonesian or its equivalent; and (iii) Proficient, for students with Malay or Indonesian background.

To ensure that students are placed in the most appropriate level according to their individual profile and the best outcome they can expect to achieve, all students, except beginners, are required to undertake placement testing prior to the start of their first semester of language study.

Right of school to determine entry level and approve accelerated enrolment

The Indonesian studies program convenor retains the right to determine the proper proficiency level for any particular student. Students are not permitted to accelerate their enrolment without first consulting the program convenor.

Overseas study

You are also encouraged to take language study overseas units that can count as satisfying some components of the major. In collaboration with Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, the Indonesian program at Monash is able to offer students the opportunity to complete one level of in-country study in intensive mode (normally six weeks). This is available at each level except level 1, and teaching normally occurs over the summer period. Based on results obtained, you gain credit toward your Monash degree, and can fast-track your studies while gaining valuable experience in Indonesian life. You can replace up to 24 points of compulsory language units with alternate in-country units but you must obtain written approval from the Indonesian program before enrolling. For further details please contact the in-country coordinator Yacinta Kurniasih or visit the Indonesian in-country program web page.

Note: The Indonesian in-country program is only available on a fee-paying basis. The appropriate fee is paid to Gadjah Mada University, and both tuition and accommodation are covered. You may be eligible to apply for a Monash Abroad study grant.

Teaching language requirements

Students intending to teach Indonesian will need to complete an extended major with an equivalent of three years post-VCE study.

Availability

Indonesian studies is listed in A2000 Bachelor of Arts and 0202 Bachelor of Letters at Clayton as a minor, major or extended major, A2001 Bachelor of Global Studies at Clayton as a major and A0501 Diploma of Languages at Clayton as a major.

Outcomes

In addition to achieving the broad outcomes of their course, students successfully completing this major will be able to:

• demonstrate an awareness of the relationship between culture and language
• communicate proficiency in Indonesian through speaking, listening, reading and writing at levels commensurate with the language exit point from the major
• apply translation skills at the para-professional level
• demonstrate a critical approach to the reading of translated texts
• understand common journalistic styles and be able to translate them into the appropriate register in English
• explain theoretical issues related to translation and interpreting
• show an understanding of the role of the translator and interpreter in local and global communication
• utilise independent research skills exploiting both Indonesian and English sources