Course info

Bali and Java remain the most popular centers of artistic expression in Indonesia. This course will use traditional Indonesian art forms-including music, dance, and theater as a lens through which to view social change in Bali and Java. Using an interdisciplinary framework, the course will provide students opportunities to explore the ancient roots of Javanese and Balinese art, especially the performing arts, and discover the dynamic ways in which these traditional arts are changing in response to the pressures of globalization and international tourism. Onsite locations include Janabadra and Gadjah Mada Universities in Yogyakarta (Java), cultural destinations in Yogyakarta and Bali, and village homestays in central Java and Bali. Students will participate in community-engaged activities and direct interactions with local Indonesian artists, college students, professors, and community members. This is a Study Away course that will focus on a special topic within the discipline, and will include two to three weeks of travel to a domestic or international destination at the culmination of the semester. The topic will be approached through an intercultural lens, and will achieve the following learning outcomes: 1. Students will demonstrate the ability to understand and respect diverse cultural and historical traditions. 2. Students will engage with voices, writings, scholarship, and perspectives from other cultures. For details on the course topic and destination, see the course schedule. May be repeated up to two times for a maximum of 12 credits.