110-422 Indonesian Arts: Power, Sound and Motion

This subject investigates the social, cultural and political significance of traditional performing arts in modern Indonesia. Diverse performance styles including music, dance, and puppetry are examined as entertainment, religious ritual, political act and as sites for social conflict and accord. Students become familiar with different analytical approaches to performance through readings grounded in anthropology, ethnomusicology, and sociolinguistics. As well as accessing audio-visual materials, you will have hands-on experience playing gamelan music as a way of exploring Indonesian performance through weekly lessons.

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

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

• 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.

Four reviews of 500 words each, 12.5% each (due throughout the semester), and one final research project of 2000 words (3000 words for fourth year/MA students) 50% (due during the examination period). The final research project also entails a separate written proposal (due mid-semester) and in-class presentation (end of semester), which are required but not assessed.

Materials supplied by the Institute.