HSY2190

Indonesia: the struggle for democracy

Jane Drakard

8 points
* Two lectures and one tutorial per week
* Second semester
* Clayton
* Prerequisites: A first-year sequence in HSY or Indo/Malay or permission of the head of department

Objectives This subject aims to introduce students to some of the major events and themes in the history of modern Indonesia. Students will be expected to reflect on social, cultural, political and economic change in the twentieth century and to think critically about nationalism and the relevance of concepts such as `modernity', `tradition' and `democracy' in the context of modern Indonesian history.

Synopsis Indonesia, Australia's nearest and largest Asian neighbour, has grown in this century from a Dutch colonial territory into the third most populous state of Asia and the most populous Muslim nation in the world. This subject examines the major factors which have shaped the Indonesian experience in this century, including ethnic and religious diversity; colonialism; nationalism; Islamic reform; communism; the revolution; the coup; authoritarian government and the independence movement in East Timor. Lectures and video presentations provide a general framework with tutorials focussing on more specific topics and analytical issues.

Assessment One document exercise and two essays (total 5000 words): 75%
* Examination (1 hour): 25%
* Option of additional essay (1000 words) in place of examination.

Recommended texts

Cribb R and Brown C Modern Indonesia Longman, 1995
Legge J D Indonesia 3rd edn, Prentice- Hall, 1980
Schwarz A A nation in waiting Allen and Unwin, 1994