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Australian Consortium for In-Country Indonesian Studies

The Flexible Immersion Option at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM)

The program of study held at UGM allows students to choose a mix of Indonesian language classes and any other regular UGM curriculum subjects, according to the language ability and interest of the student. A placement test at UGM at the start of the semester guides students in their choice of subjects, and they also have the assistance of the ACICIS staff in Yogya to make sure that what they do choose is suitable for their needs.

The following rules apply in all classes:Learning the language - one of the benefits of cultural immersion

  • Students must be dressed in a neat and respectful manner at all times. Sandals and shorts are not acceptable;
  • No smoking in class;
  • Drinks and food are allowed in class but must not disturb the class in consuming them;
  • Handphones (Mobiles, cellphones) must be switched off in class;
  • It is the responsibility of the student to read and understand the course material, unit guides and syllabus etc;
  • It is important for students to attend the first lecture so that they understand the course outline and plan;
  • Students must attend 70% of lectures or they are not allowed to take the final exams (this may vary in some units);
  • Students are allowed to be absent if they have a good reason, for example if they are sick;
  • If INCULS students are absent from 3 consecutive lectures they must attend an interview at INCULS and explain their absence.

Language only Subjects

Units in Indonesian Language for foreigners are offered by the Language Learning Centre (INCULS) in Fakultas Ilmu Budaya, at three levels - beginners, intermediate and advanced. They are taught each morning, Monday to Thursday. Beginners level does assume some prior knowledge of Indonesian. Subjects are offered in several areas, and are worth 2 credit points each. 12 credit points is the equivalent of a full time semester workload. Each subject involves 2 contact hours per week and students undertake formal, disciplined language learning. Fellow students are not just ACICIS students, but students from all around the world, with Australia, Japan and Korea providing the largest contingents.

A typical INCULS timetable for a week at Advanced level is (though this may change each semester):

Waktu Senin Selasa Rabu Kamis
0800-0850 Percakapan   Percakapan Kosa Kata
0900-0950 Tata Bahasa Kosa Kata Tata Bahasa Menulis
1000-1050 Membaca Praktik Praktik Membaca
1100-1150   Menulis Bahasa Indonesia untuk Riset Terjemahan
Ind-Ing
1200-1250 Terjemahan
Ind-Ing
Terjemahan
Jpn-Ind
Terjemahan
Jpn-Ind

To get an idea of the standard of language tuition at INCULS, you can read the 2005 semester syllabus and lesson plans for the Grammar class at each of the three levels (in Indonesian), by clicking on the link below (These are subject to change and are included here as a guide only):

Most units at Inculs are assessed in the following way :

Homework/Class participation 10%
Progress test I 10%
Progress test II 10%
Mid semester exam 30%
End of semester exam 40%
Total 100%

Immersion Subjects

Regular subjects can be chosen from anywhere in the university though some advanced subjects may have pre- requisites. Many ACICIS students enrol in courses within Fakultas Sastra (Faculty of Letters) but may choose to enrol in courses from other faculties after consultation with and agreement from the Resident Director and the University. Past students have enrolled in faculties such as Social Sciences, Geology, Tourism and Law. Students take a huge variety of subjects at UGM. Courses studied as part of the Study Indonesia Program have included Javanese Language, Indonesian History and Politics, Hindu and Buddhist Religion, Islam in Indonesia, Gamelan, Women and Development, Environmental Law, Geomorphology, Marine Ecology, and Forestry Conservation. Environmental Law; Agrarian Law; Criminal Law; International Law; Constitutional Law, and Trade Law. Assessment varies with each unit, but typically involves one short and one long essay, a presentation, and a final exam. We encourage all students to extend themselves and try at least one or two immersion subjects. They are certainly more challenging than language only units, but are also much more rewarding. Read of the experience of one student in her first lectures at UGM.

Extra Curricular Activities

In addition to regular classes students at UGM can choose to take a variety of organised extra curricular activities. Some of these are the normal student clubs that thrive at any university (such as drama, debating, exploring, music, sports etc), and others are specifically provided by INCULS. The list below is typical of what is offered each semester by INCULS, however some of these may not be offered every semester.

Extra Curricular activities available each semester at INCULS, UGM
Name Time Minimum Cost in Rupiah Cost in A$ ***
Making Batik 6 x 2 hours 10 students 200,000 A$28
Individual Tutor 12 x 2 hours Nil 375,000 ** A$52
Special Lectures * 3 x 2 hours 10 students 90,000 A$13
Indonesian Cooking 2 x 2 hours 8 students 75,000 A$11
Village Studies 4 days 12 students 300,000 ** A$42
Javanese Dance (women) 10 x 2 hours 5 students 200,000 A$28
Javanese Dance 10 x 2 hours 6 students 200,000 A$28

* Special lectures include:

  • Behind the mask of social unrest in Indonesia;
  • Indonesian Cinema: Between fiction and reality;
  • Indonesia: Between national and local culture.

** These costs are paid by ACICIS for participating students at UGM.

*** Costs calculated to the nearest dollar at 7,200 Rupiah to the dollar.