INDOSTUD05 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 two streams within the major: 1. Introductory, for students with no previous knowledge of Indonesian or Malay and 2. Intermediate, for students with VCE Indonesian or its equivalent.

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, nor can they elect to take classes that are below their proficiency level. Students wishing to enrol in a language unit higher than introductory need to complete a language entry level test to determine the language level they should be enrolled in.

Students must sequentially progress through the language unit levels eg. Introductory, Intermediate, Proficient and Advanced. Students are not permitted to take classes that are below their tested language proficiency level.

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 only available at level 2 (intermediate), 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 at Clayton as a major and a minor, and in A0501 Diploma of Languages at Clayton as a major.