NIU ADMINISTERED/FACULTY DIRECTED STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM PROPOSAL TEMPLATE AND GUIDELINES

History and Culture of Malaysia

July 13 – August 1, 2008

This study abroad program is coordinated by the Northern Illinois University Study Abroad Office (SAO), in cooperation with the NIU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Department of History.

PROGRAM DATES: The program will officially begin on Sunday, July 13, 2008 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and will end on Friday, August 1. Students will be responsible for making their own air travel arrangements in order to arrive in downtown Kuala Lumpur at the latest by 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 13, 2008.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR: Eric A. Jones, assistant professor of history in the NIU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Professor Jones is an expert on Malaysian and Indonesian history and teaches courses on Southeast Asia and Asia. He is a fluent Malay speaker (among other languages) and has years of experience with the region including having lived in Malaysia and Indonesia.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW/OBJECTIVES: The primary purpose of this program is to provide participants with the opportunity to learn and experience the history of Malaysia and the Malay world, on site and in a living laboratory. Because of its unique history, Malaysia, unlike any other country, is comprised of significant Malay, Chinese and Indian populations. For example, students interested in religion can interact with large Islamic, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, animist and syncretic groups. Those interested in race and culture can experience all of Asia (Arab, Indian, Chinese and Malay) all in one place. Finally, Malaysia is home to the world’s once-greatest entrepot and the city that lured Columbus to cross the sea, Melaka, where history is alive and on display.

PROGRAM SITE(S): The program will take place in Malaysia, primarily the capital, Kuala Lumpur. Significant time will also be spent in the axis of Southeast Asia history - Melaka, with stays in the colonial hill station Cameron Highlands, the Chinese cultural stronghold of Penang, the Islamic center of Kota Bharu and the Perhentian Islands.

HIGHLIGHTS: Participants will visit many museums and historical sites in Malaysia. In Kuala Lumpur, the group will visit flourishing Indian, Chinese and Malay communities and sites including one of the world’s largest mosques, the national museum, and the tallest buildings in the world – Petronas Towers. Melakan highlights including the Portuguese Fortress, the Sultan’s Palace, the Dutch Courthouse, the Chinese Temple, and the Anglican Church, and Hindu Temple in addition to a visit to a nearby village. Surrounded by colonial nostalgia, we will study colonial history at the beautiful hill station and tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands. We’ll continue on to the stately Chinese bastion of Penang, focusing on Buddhism and the Chinese contribution. Finally, based out of Kota Bharu, the group will visit the bastion of Malay culture and interact with Muslim communities in Kelantan, with a stay in the beautiful Perhentian Islands.

PROGRAM AUDIENCE: Space is limited and qualified applicants will be accepted on a first-come-first-serve basis. This program will be of interest to a large number of NIU students. All undergraduate and graduate students interested in Southeast Asia and/or affiliated with the NIU Center for Southeast Asian Studies can find something of interest in Malaysia – with significant Thai, Indonesian, and Singaporean populations living within its borders. Chinese, Indian, and Malay culture will all be front and center in our daily interactions including immersion in Islamic, Buddhist and Hindu traditions. More broadly, students interested in comparative religion, politics of development, post-colonial culture, globalization, and interaction of the Western with the Non-Western could make use of the program.

INSTRUCTION METHOD: Contact hours normally include a combination of daily lecture, historical site visits, and discussion. Also, time will be appointed for individual meetings and discussion/research help. Instruction will be provided primarily by Professor Jones but will include guest lectures from local specialists. All students are required to submit daily journal entries, reflecting on the day’s curriculum and in-country experience. Daily assignments will also include interviews with Malaysians and work with periodicals. Everyone is expected to complete the daily reading to be able to contribute to class discussion. As is the norm in a 400-level history course, students will also be expected to produce an extensive research paper. Graduate students will be required to pre-submit a reading/research plan and separate graduate seminars will be held in addition to lengthier paper requirements. Students will be graded on attendance, participation and academic performance.

PROGRAM ACADEMIC CREDIT: For satisfactory participation in the program, participants will receive 3 semester hours of undergraduate or graduate credit in the following NIU course:

HIST 449 – History of Malaysia and Singapore 3 semester hours

Description: The Malay world from prehistory to the present. Topics include early Malay trade, classical Malay culture, British imperialism, Chinese immigration, and the modern states of Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei.

APPLICATION AND ADMISSION PROCEDURES: The program is open to undergraduate and graduate level students who meet the NIU general admission requirements, and who are interested in history. Currently enrolled students must meet College of Liberal Arts and Science course GPA requirements. Graduate level students must also meet NIU Graduate School admission, course and GPA requirements.

Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at the time of application. Students who are on academic or disciplinary probation are not eligible to participate in study abroad programs. Applicants must participate in the entire program and satisfy NIU undergraduate or graduate admission and course requirements.

Students cannot have any encumbrances against their NIU records. Any encumbrances placed on a student’s records by NIU (i.e., the Graduate School, Undergraduate Admissions, Bursar’s Office, Accounts Receivable, Registration and Records, Health Services, Parking Services, etc.) must be cleared before a student is granted admission to a study abroad program.

For undergraduate students to be admitted to the program, an applicant’s official transcript must be on file in the NIU Study Abroad Office. Students who are currently enrolled at NIU, or who have previously enrolled at NIU, do not need to request an official transcript; the Study Abroad Office will make this request on behalf of the applicant. Students who want to participate in the program and earn academic credit from NIU who have not previously enrolled at NIU, or who are not currently enrolled at NIU, should ask the Registrar at their institution to forward an official transcript as soon as possible to the Study Abroad Office. (Student-issued transcripts and photocopies are not acceptable.) Questions relating to the admission requirements or transcripts should be directed to the Study Abroad Office.

Students who desire to obtain graduate credit must either be admitted to a graduate program within the NIU Graduate School, or be admitted to the status of a "student-at-large" (SAL) within NIU's Graduate School. For students to be admitted to the program for graduate credit, the applicant's official transcript must be on file in the NIU SAO. Students who are currently enrolled at NIU, or who have previously enrolled at NIU, do not need to request an official transcript. However, students who will participate in the program in order to earn academic credit as an SAL (students who have not currently enrolled, nor are previously enrolled at NIU) must provide a transcript from the baccalaureate institution and from any institution at which graduate credit has been earned. This document must be provided to the SAO before a student can be admitted as an SAL to the program. (Student issued transcripts and photocopies are not acceptable.)

APPLICATION FORMS AND DEPOSIT: Applicants must submit the following at the time of application:

Application for NIU Administered/Faculty Directed Study Abroad Programs
Student Application Agreement
Course Preference Form
$200 deposit
A clear and readable copy of the first page of passport
ONE passport size photograph (vending machine type photos are not acceptable)

$200 DEPOSIT: Each application must be accompanied by a $200 check or money order made payable to NIU. The $200 will be applied to the program cost. Applications that are not accompanied by the $200 deposit will be returned to the sender. (This $200 is also required of individuals who will be applying for financial aid.)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 15, 2008. Applications submitted to the Study Abroad Office after April 15, 2008 must be accompanied by a check or money order for the full program cost in order to be considered for acceptance in this program. Applications not accompanied by the full program costs cannot be accepted by the Study Abroad Office.

ACCOMMODATIONS AND MEALS: All accommodation and meal costs are included in the program. Participants will reside in local homes or in hotels in single or twin bedded rooms with shared or private bathrooms and will be provided all meals daily throughout the period of residency, including the home stay.

AIR TRANSPORTATION: Individuals will be responsible for making their own air travel arrangements between the U.S. and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and for purchasing their tickets from a travel agent or airline of their choice. (Travel insurance is recommended.) Participants should keep in mind that in order to arrive in Kuala Lumpur in time to be at the official beginning of the program at 6:00 PM on Sunday, July 13, 2008, they should plan to depart the U.S. no later than July 10-11, 2008.

From Kuala Lumpur International Airport, students should take the KLIA Express to KL Sentral (Kuala Lumpur Central Station) and a taxi from KL Sentral to our hotel (Eight Guesthouse, 8-10 Tengkat Tong Shin, Bukit Bintang). Students will be reimbursed for the KLIA Express and the taxi from KL Sentral. (Please be advised that the KLIA Express operates only from 5:00 a.m. to midnight. Students arriving between midnight and 5:00 a.m. must take a taxi from the airport to the hotel and will only be reimbursed for the rate of the KLIA Express and a local KL taxi). Accommodation arrangements can be made for students arriving earlier and staying later but at the cost of the student.

For information regarding airfares and airlines students may wish to check-out additional airfare sites on the Internet.

Important - The Study Abroad Office advises all participants that flight reservations for this program should not be booked until:

After the April 15, 2008 application deadline

AND

The SAO has accepted the minimum number of participants needed to operate this program.
This advisory is given so that participants do not find themselves financially responsible for airline tickets should it be necessary to cancel the program. (See section entitled, CANCELLATION OF THE PROGRAM)

LAND TRANSPORTATION: For program-related travel the group will travel by bus, train and taxi. For the most part, program participants will depend on the very reliable and nationwide public transportation system.

PASSPORT: --IMPORTANT--All participants are required to possess a valid passport by May 1, 2008. Important Note: U.S. passports must be valid SIX months beyond the intended stay overseas. Individuals who do not currently possess a valid passport should apply for one immediately upon acceptance into the program. (Applicants applying after May 1 may need to request expedited services or apply in person at the Chicago Passport Agency. If applicants are not within the Chicago area, they must apply at the nearest passport agency.) Information on acquiring a U.S. passport is available at the U.S. State Department’s website: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html Foreign passport holders may need special visas for travel and are responsible for obtaining all necessary visas.

VISA: A visa is not required for US citizens staying in Malaysia less than three months.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS/VACCINATIONS: The CDC strongly recommends and students will be required to obtain Hepatitis A and Typhoid immunizations. The CDC also recommends all travelers be up-to-date on the routine immunizations: tetanus-diphtheria, measles-mumps-rubella, polio, and varicella. The NIU University Health Service can administer most immunizations.

NIU MAJOR MEDICAL INSURANCE: NIU Student health insurance is required for participation in an NIU study abroad program. Participants not currently enrolled in the NIU insurance plan will be enrolled in the NIU major medical Insurance Plan (comprehensive) that has a $250 deductible clause. Students requiring medical attention will be expected to pay any related costs and then file a claim with the NIU Student Insurance Office after returning to the States. Receipts showing payment for all medical expenses are required for reimbursement.

IMPORTANT – INSURANCE COVER EXTENSION: If you will continue traveling after the program ends and wish to extend your enrollment in the NIU major medical insurance plan from the end of the program through August 16, 2008, the additional cost will be $130. Please complete the “Insurance Coverage Extension” section on the Course Preference Form if you wish to extend your enrollment in the NIU major medical insurance plan.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT I.D. CARD: The ISIC card is provided as part of the program cost. The I.D. card can provide discount on international airfare and other travel. Students will receive an application and instructions for obtaining this card when accepted into the program.

NIU PROGRAM COST: The cost of the three-week program in Malaysia is payable in full to NIU by May 1, 2008. The program cost pays for the following cost related services:

Accommodations and three meals daily while the group is in Malaysia.

Program-related land transportation in Malaysia.

Admission fees to cultural and historical sites visited as part of the daily schedule.

International Student ID

NIU tuition for undergraduate or graduate credit.

NIU major medical insurance for the duration of the program (required).

PROGRAM COST: $ TBD

All prices quoted are subject to change. The information contained in the program documents and forms is presented in good faith and is believed to be correct as of the date presented. Northern Illinois University reserves the right to amend, modify, revise, or delete any information appearing in these documents, including but not limited to the cost of the program.

Non-NIU students should consult with their home institutions regarding additional costs that may apply to study abroad. Non-NIU students are responsible for any study abroad charges imposed by their home institution.

ADDITIONAL COSTS TO PARTICIPANTS:

Airfare
Required books
cost of acquiring a passport (approximately $85, including 2 passport pictures)
One passport size photo (must accompany program application)
Additional costs associated with obtaining a visa for non-U.S. passport holders.
Immunization fees (if immunizations are required).
$30 undergraduate application fee for non-NIU undergraduate students.
Independent travel and visa costs associated with independent travel.
Expenses for free-time pursuits.
Expenses and purchases of a personal nature.

FINANCIAL AID: As a participant in a study abroad program through NIU, applicants may be eligible for: Pell Grant, SEOG, Perkins Loan, PLUS Loan, Subsidized or Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, MAP Award or your privately awarded scholarship with consent of awarding organization. Information is also available in the Study Abroad Office regarding scholarships available to undergraduate students offered by the Institute for International Education. Tuition waivers do not apply.

Please contact the International Programs Business Manager, Pamela Rosenberg, Williston Hall 408, (815) 753-9530, prosenberg@niu.edu for more information.

WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PROGRAM: Applicants withdrawing from the program after April 1, 2008 will not be refunded the $200 program deposit.

Applicants withdrawing from the program after this date will also be held accountable for any funds obligated on their behalf. This provision is in effect even if the applicant has not submitted the $200 deposit or additional payments, and if the applicant is applying for financial aid.

If the applicant must withdraw after April 1, 2008 for medical reasons, the $200 deposit will be refunded only if the request is submitted to the Study Abroad Office in writing and accompanied by a signed statement from a physician on the physician’s letterhead. After this deadline, all funds obligated on your behalf can only be refunded if those monies are refunded to NIU by overseas agents and vendors.

CANCELLATION OF THE PROGRAM: The Study Abroad Office reserves the right to cancel this program if the minimum required enrollment is not attained. If, prior to the commencement of the program, a U.S. State Department Travel Warning is issued for Malaysia, all applicants will be notified promptly of the warning and the possibility of cancellation of the program. In the event that the program is canceled by NIU’s International Programs Division, students shall receive a full refund of all monies. If, during the course of the program, a U.S. State Department Travel Warning is issued for Malaysia, students will be promptly notified of the warning and the advisability of canceling the program.

The information contained in the program documents and forms is presented in good faith and is believed to be correct as of the date presented. Northern Illinois University reserves the right to amend, modify, revise, or delete any information appearing in these documents, including but not limited to the cost of the program.

Course Syllabus

Prof. Eric Jones                                                                                  HIST 449
History and Culture of Malaysia                                                      Summer 2008
Email: eajones@niu.edu                                                                   Overseas Program: July 13 – August 1, 2008

HISTORY AND CULTURE OF MALAYSIA

Course Description:

Malaysia represents all of the great populations and therefore histories of Asia. Because of its unique history, Malaysia, unlike any other country, is comprised of significant Malay, Chinese and Indian populations. Here, the student of history can interact with large Islamic, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, animist and syncretic groups. In Malaysia, histories of Asian culture (Arab, Indian, Chinese and Malay) exist in one place. Finally, Malaysia is home to the world’s once-greatest entrepot and the city that lured Columbus to cross the sea, Melaka, where history is alive and on display. Using themes such as geography, religion, society, politics, and trade, we will chart our way from ‘monumental’ antiquity, to the age of commerce, to colonial encounters, and to independence and beyond.

Formal Requirements and Procedures:

The course format will consist of formal lectures, discussion to address readings and course material. Grades will be based on quizzes, attendance, participation, map tests, journal submissions and a research paper.

Required readings:

Simon Richmond (ed.), Lonely Planet Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei (10^th Edition) 2007). Paperback ISBN-13: 9781740597081 (NOTE: VERY IMPORTANT TO GET THE LATEST, 10TH EDITION)

Barbara Watson Andaya and Leonard Y. Andaya, A History of Malaysia (Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2001). Paperback ISBN: 0824824253

Henri Fauconnier, The Soul of Malaya (Butterworth-Heinemann, 2003). Paperback ISBN-13: 978-9814068482

Electronic Readings and Articles TBA

NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ALTER
OR CANCEL THIS PROGRAM AS MAY BE DEEMED NECESSARY!

January 2008

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