Indonesian Politics and Society

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This unit addresses the politics of modern Indonesia in relation to broader social developments and the changing global context. Students will learn about the evolution of Indonesian politics from the early post-colonial period, through to the authoritarian New Order and the current democratic era. What have been some of the most prominent sources of tensions and contradictions within Indonesian politics? How are they related to broader changes in Indonesian society? How have domestic social and political transformations in Indonesia been intertwined with the changing global political context from the Cold War to the post-Cold War era? How are developments in Indonesian politics and society relevant to the broader region and to Australia?

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a sound and well-informed understanding of the nature of modern Indonesian politics

2. Demonstrate knowledge about the relationship between social and political transformations, especially those pertaining to Indonesia

3. Critically evaluate how domestic Indonesian politics is intertwined with global political change

4. Appraise the relevance of contemporary issues of Indonesian politics to the broader region and to Australia

5. Communicate knowledge attained in written form and through verbal interactions

• Critical Evaluative Essay (1000 words) due in week 4 of semester (25%)
• Group presentation on assigned subject (equivalent to 1000 words per student), presented in tutorials throughout the semester (25%)
• Research Essay (2000 words), due during examination period (50%)

Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.

A subject reader will be available from the University Bookshop.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

• Have an understanding of the key concepts of interest to the subject.
• Be conversant with a range of theoretical approaches to understanding these concepts.
• Analyse the function of these concepts in different cultural settings and compare with one’s own.
• Evaluate current events through major approaches to social and political analysis.