110-214 Indonesian Languages in Social Context

Usually 25 points of first-year Indonesian.

This subject focuses on the role of personal, societal, and historical contexts in the use and development of languages in the Indonesian archipelago. It introduces students to sociolinguistic analysis in the context of specific Indonesian societies (eg. Batak, Javanese, Maluku) and across the Indonesian nation. The subject engages with issues of language in society including language planning, literacy, politeness, multi-lingualism, interpersonal interaction, traditional and modern communication systems, differences in style according to genre (eg. written and spoken language), function (eg. conversational, ritual, or political language) and social identity (eg. class, ethnic, gender or sexual identification). Students should develop an understanding of the close relationship that social context, interpersonal interaction, and culture have with language form and usage.

• acquire written communication skills through essay writing and seminar discussion;

• show attention to detail through essay preparation and writing;

• acquire time management and planning skills through managing and organising workloads for recommended reading, essay and assignment completion;

• acquire critical thinking and analysis skills through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining strength of an argument;

• acquire public speaking skills through tutorial and seminar discussion and class presentations;

• acquire research skills through competent use of the library, and other information sources and the definition of areas of inquiry and methods of research;

• be able to think in theoretical terms through lectures, tutorial discussions, essay writing and engagement in the methodologies of the humanities and social sciences.

Two essays of 2000 words each, 50% each (one due mid-semester, one due during the examination period).