Instructor: Henry Spiller, Department of Music, College of Letters and Science
Description: This seminar introduces students to a variety of artistic expressions from the Indonesian islands of Java and Bali that develop the theme that contemporary Indonesian society represents layers of cultural, religious, political, and economic influences. In addition to facilitating intellectual engagement with the topics through reading assignments and discussion, the course emphasizes a hands-on engagement with architecture, poetry, music, dance, and theatre through "workshops"--in-class activities with expert artists in various Indonesian genres and styles. In addition to learning a little bit about Indonesian arts and cultures, students will come away from the seminar with a deeper understanding of how humans inculcate, perpetuate, and challenge social values through artistic endeavors.
Format: The seminar will meet for two hours each week. The meetings themselves will be structured around an activity—video, slides, workshops with and performances by guest artists, or participatory activities, followed by discussions aimed at understanding the various social themes and cultural threads evident in the activity. The class will meet in the gamelan studio (located at 116 B Street), on Tuesdays, 10-12. Students will prepare for each class meeting by completing a relevant reading (and/or a viewing/listening) assignment and writing a one-page essay addressing a question about the assignment. Grading: Students' grades will be based on an evaluation of their weekly written work (30%), their engaged participation in activities (35%), and their contributions to discussions (35%).
About the Instructor:Professor Henry Spiller is a member of the faculty in the Department of Music; he is the author of Gamelan: The Traditional Sounds of Indonesia (ABC-CLIO 2004). His research focuses on the music and dance of Southeast Asia, especially West Java. Current projects include a book on masculinity and men's improvisational dance in West Java. He has been an active student, teacher, and performer of various Indonesian music and dance traditions for thirty years.