From Classrooms to Rice Fields: Cultivating Connections Through Field Studies in Bali, Indonesia

Grounded in ten years of research, this collection of essays works to capture the value of stepping out of the classroom environment and away from computer screens. From Classrooms to Rice Fields will take readers on a voyage to the culturally rich and complex island of Bali in the Indonesian archipelago. Each year, the sociology and anthropology programs at the University of Guam engage in field studies in Bali with undergraduate students seeking to understand both the world and themselves more deeply. This book captures the stories and experiences of scholars and students alike, including social workers, filmmakers, activists, writers, development practitioners, indigenous farmers, and weavers. From Classrooms to Rice Fields deals with the all-important questions of change for communities and indigenous people in both Asia and the Pacific trying to find their place in the modern world. Readers will be uplifted by the spirit and passion of lessons learned as we all attempt to rediscover community in the 21st century.

Table of Contents:
List of Figures Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Introduction Reaching Back Across the Ocean: Learning about Ourselves by Engaging our Ancestral Roots Kirk Johnson Part 1: Research Papers 1. Enhancing Connections with Asia: Preparing to Benefit from the Current Paradigm Shift Ron Crocombe 2. Being Balinese in a Global Village: The Conundrums of Daily Life in Ubud Kirk Johnson and Rebecca A. Stephenson 3. Symbols of Survival Sandra Iseke Okada 4. Overseas Field Schools and Danger Within the Context of Globalization Rebecca A. Stephenson and Hiro Kurashina 5. Globalization, Tourism and Taboo: Exploring Cultural Improprieties in Bali, Indonesia Lan-Hung Nora Chiang, Rebecca A. Stephenson, Hiro Kurashina, and Thomas J. Iverson 6. Daughter, Wife and Mother: A Brief Life History of a Chuukese Woman Typrina Kasimiro 7. Feminism in Indonesia Zohra Andi Baso 8. The Strength of a Woman Michelle Castro 9. Inter-Institutional Cooperation Between Unibetsedat Guahan, Guam and Universitas Udayana, Bali: Thoughts on the Past 10 Years of Working with Faculty Members and Students of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, University of Guam D.K. Harya Putra 10. A Journey of Self-Discovery: Finding the CHamoru Within Me Nikkie Cruz de Jesus-Cushing 11. Tourism Research: Reflections on the Bali Field School Thomas J. Iverson 12. Bali: Hope in Paradise: A Filmmaker's Journey Jane Walters 13. The Role of Spectacles in Building Community Sandy Stilwell 14. Finding Connections David Dewey 15. Finding Home on a Different Island Jessica K. P. Aguon 16. Descendants of a Global Family Jon Tikivanotau M. Jonassen 17. Sex Tourism in the Age of Globalization: Perspectives from Two Island Communities Antonio B. Perry 18. Why Study Community Development and Globalization Issues in Bali? William Ingram 19. Why is it You Cry? Terilynn Francisco 20. The Balance of Life Ni Made Desa Perwani (Tuttut) 21. The Answers are Found in a Little Village in Eastern Bali: An Interview of I Wayan Karya by Ni Made Desa Perwani I Wayan Karya 22. The Essential Spirituality Charissa L. Aguon 23. Higher Learning in the Pacific: Reflections on Diversity and Technology in a Capstone Course at an Island University Kirk Johnson, Jonathan K. Lee, Rebecca A. Stephenson, and Julius Ceasar Sotomayor Cena Part 2: Reflections from Bali 1. Reflections on the Bali Experience 2. A Letter from the Mawar Family of Ubud, Bali Part 3: Casting Our Net 1. A Brief History: Casting Our Net: Rediscovering Community in the 21st Century Kirk Johnson 2. The Success of a Film: Reflections from Fellow Filmmakers Kel and Don Muña 3. A Look Back: Stepping Out of Our Comfort Zones Charissa Aguon 4. A Closer Look: Casting Our Net: The Script Charissa Aguon 5. A Letter from East-West Center Gerard A. Finin Part 4: Appendix 1. Assessment: Ten Years of UOG in Ubud, Bali Elizabeth Coville 2. Letter of Suport for Bali Field Workshop and Community Development Class Jonathan K. Lee, B.A. Bibliography Index About the Authors

About the Author :
Kirk Johnson was raised in the rural mountains of Western India. He received two master’s degrees from Ohio University and a Ph.D. from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. He now works as a professor of sociology at the University of Guam. Johnson is the author or editor of four books and has written more than twenty referred journal articles. He has been the director of the Bali Field School since 2004.