WEEK

READINGS

1

Introduction to the course

2

Indonesian Literature

THE TRADITIONAL ROOTS OF MODERN INDONESIAN LITERATURE

Overview of Indonesian Literature, Historical, political, sociological, cultural background. The history of the Malay language. Language, literature and literacy in precolonial and colonial time. The elimination of a wild literature by the colonial publishing house.  Readings include:

Excerpt from: Hikayat Hang Tuah

Selected pieces of the genres syair, and pantun.

Malay, World Language J. Collins

Selected pieces of early modern poetry

PUJANGGA BARU : FROM TRADITION TO MODERNITY

 The nationalist movement and the proclamation of bahasa Indonesia. Cultural Polemic. The Japanese occupation. Readings include:

Excerpt from: Sitti Nurbaya

Selected pieces of Pujangga Baru Poetry.

4

LITERATURE AND REVOLUTION

The Angkatan 45 movement. The Struggle of Independence.  Readings include:

Idrus: From Kota to Harmoni

Chairil Anwar Aku

Chairil Anwar Kawanku dan Aku

Pramoedya Ananta Toer Blora

5

CONTEMPORARY AUTHORS

A brief overview of contemporary authors. Topics of discussion include the role of female authors, reformasi poetry of the post Suharto era, and Islam and Literature. Readings include:

Ayu Utami: Saman [40 pages]

Umar Kayam Sri Sumarah [40 pages]