Fifth International Intensive course in Old Javanese

Yogyakarta, Central Java, Indonesia – 21 July through 3 August 2019

Co-organized by the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia (Perpusnas) and the École française d’Extrême-Orient (EFEO), with support from the École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE), a founding member of PSL Research University (Paris).

Aiming to support the training of a new generation of Old Javanese philologists and to stimulate international collaboration in this field, the École française d'Extrême-Orient (French School of Asian Studies, EFEO) and the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia (Perpusnas), with support from the École Pratique des Hautes Études (Paris), founding member of PSL Research University (Paris), will co-organize this year, for the fifth time, an international intensive course in Old Javanese.

Concept. An academic retreat lasting 13 days attended by 25 students at beginner level, and about 10 student at advanced level, who will be guided in intensive manner by a team of specialists of Old Javanese philology. The program will take place in typical Javanese natural surroundings, close to the vestiges of ancient Hindu and Buddhist civilization in Central Java.

Aim. The student who has completed the intensive course at beginner level is able independently to read and analyze Old Javanese texts and is aware of the available research tools (Dictionaries, Grammars, etc.).
Nota bene: the course is not specifically concerned with learning how to read pre-modern forms of script, nor with Javanese languages and literature of relatively recent centuries (after 1500 CE)/

Location. The program will take place at Cangkringan Jogja Villa & Spa in Yogyakarta, Central Java. 

Dates. The program will take place from 21 July through 3 August.

Teachers. Prof. Dr. Thomas Hunter (University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada), Yosephin Apriastuti Rahayu (Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta), Prof. Dr. Arlo Griffiths (EFEO, Paris), Dr. Andrea Acri (EPHE, Paris), Agung Kriswanto (National Library of Indonesia) and Zakariya Pamuji Aminullah (Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta).

Course content. At the beginner level, the first five days we will focus on intensive study of Old Javanese grammar, after which, during the second five days, we will read representative samples of two principal genres of the Old Javanese textual corpus: Parwa and Kakawin. At the advanced level, we offer intensive readings in the genres Kakawin, Tutur and Inscriptions.

Language of Instruction. Differently from previous editions, which only used English as language of instruction, during this 5th edition a parallel program will be offered at the beginner level with Indonesian as language. At the advanced level, the language of instruction will be English.

Participants. We will admit about 25 participants at the beginner level, and about 10 at the advanced level, both from Indonesian and from foreign universities or other institutions. Most of the admitted participants at the beginner level will be students or junior faculty in relevant fields, such as Languages and cultures of Indonesia/Java, History or Archaeology.

Admission. Admission will proceed through selection on the basis of an application file, which should consist of:
1. your CV
2. For Indonesians, at beginner level, who wish to join the English-language program: evidence of some command of English (ideally in the form of a TOEFL score).
3. A short essay (max. 700 words) stating your motivations for participation, making clear you have understood what this course will offer and how it will help you realize your scholarly aims.

Please compile your application in a single pdf file and send it before April 15th 2019 to:

Organizing committee 5IICOJ
agung_kriswanto@perpusnas.go.id
(please send cc to efeo.jkt@gmail.com)

The selection process will start immediately after April 15th and we intend to inform applicants of our decision before the end of April.

Costs. The funding for organizing this event is contributed by the National Library of Indonesia and by the EFEO, so that the course is offered free of cost. Nevertheless, participants are expected to travel on their own expense to Adi Sutjipto International Airport or Tugu Station in Yogyakarta. We will provide pick-up at both of these locations, and your arrival at either of these meeting points should be timed in consultation with the committee.

For enquiries about this event, write an email addressed to Arlo Griffiths (arlo.griffiths@efeo.net) and Andrea Acri (andrea.acri@ephe.sorbonne.fr).