Indonesian Studies

The department of Indonesian Studies is in the School of Languages and Cultures (SLC). It offers Indonesian language and social science based units of study.

Program structure and content
The Indonesian language program is designed to provide students with the communication skills to use Indonesian in a variety of social settings. It also introduces students to the study of Indonesian culture, politics and society, through the use of Indonesian-language source material. The program caters for students with a range of language backgrounds, including beginners, school leavers, and background speakers of Indonesian.

Many students of Indonesian combine their study of the language with a separate major sequence in Asian Studies, where in addition to studying Asian societies in comparative perspective, they are able to specialise in the study of Indonesia and its people through studies in English. Indonesian language is also a valuable addition to vocational degrees like law and business. It can be taken either as an elective within another degree or as part of a Diploma in Language Studies, which allows students to complete an entire major in Indonesian Studies concurrently with their degree.

Entry requirements
Two junior units of language study are offered for absolute beginners or those with a very limited exposure to Indonesian language. These units introduce students to the study of Indonesian language, culture and society and equip them to undertake a major in the program. Students who have studied Indonesian language at high school, have lived in Indonesia for any period of time or speak Indonesian fluently can enrol directly into senior units of study in the major.

Senior units of study
Students who have a minimum of 12 junior credit points in Indonesian or an equivalent mastery of Indonesian can enrol in senior units of study at the 2000 level or above. School leavers may enrol in 2000 (or 3000 level units with departmental approval). Background speakers and students with advanced language level may enrol in Advanced Studies units.

Major in Indonesian Studies
A major in Indonesian Studies consists of senior units of study totalling 36 credit points. A major may consist entirely of Indonesian language units or combine language study with some of the following units about Indonesia and Southeast Asia taught in English through the Asian Studies program:

• ASNS2660 Islam, Trade and Society: Arabia to Southeast Asia
• ASNS2661 History of Modern Indonesia
• ASNS2663 Social Activism in Southeast Asia
• ASNS2664 Southeast Asia Transformed
• ASNS3690 Approaches to Research in Asian Studies

Note that in order to acquire a major in Indonesian, at least 24 of your senior credit points must be selected from units bearing an INMS code.

The major may also include in-country study. Students have access to a range of options for in-country studies, from summer intensive programs at an Indonesian university to full semester or year long programs offered through the Australian Consortium for In-County Indonesian Studies (ACICIS). Students also have the option to take the month-long Southeast Asia Field School offered by the School of Geosciences, the University of Sydney.

Sample pathways (3 year degree)

All students may incorporate a semester in Indonesia into their major. Those taking longer degrees should consult the undergraduate coordinator for information about enhanced programs of study.

Honours (see chapter 5 for further information)
The honours program in Indonesian Studies provides students with an opportunity to engage in in-depth study of social, political, cultural, legal or linguistic topics related to Indonesia or other locations in the Malay world. Although it is not compulsory, many of our students undertake fieldwork as part of their honours program.

All students with good academic records in Indonesian Studies should consider an honours year. Most intending honours students will have completed ASNS2661, ASNS2663 or ASNS2664 as part of their pass degree. Students are also advised to consider taking ASNS3690 Approaches to Research in Asian Studies in the semester before they intend to commence honours.

Recent theses are available on the department website.

Contact/further information
Department website: sydney.edu.au/arts/indonesian
Undergraduate Coordinator and Chair of Department: Dr Michele Ford, by email on