ATS3248/APG5203 Field Methods in Anthropology and International Development
ATS3248/APG5203 Field Methods in Anthropology and International Development
The unit involves an international field trip to Monash Malaysia and provides students with formal and applied training in qualitative and ethnographic field research methods. The unit consists of a 17-day stay in Malaysia. This includes a field site visit, in which students will work with the Australian-based unit coordinator, local staff members from the School of Arts and Social Sciences (Monash Malaysia), and the South East Asian Community Observatory (SEACO) to conduct small-scale research projects, gather data in the field, analyse, present and write up their findings.
Students also spend time at Monash Malaysia campus at the start and end of the field trip, with briefings and introductory presentations by academic staff, and data analysis and debriefing workshops at the end. During the trip, students will undertake cultural visits to Penang (Georgetown) and Melaka, to learn more about Malaysian cultures.
Students will learn about the socio-economic and development context of Malaysia and the districts in which they will conduct their research. They will engage with the ethical issues of field research in regional Malaysia. Students also learn about the aims, objectives and research methods of SEACO, the research platform in which their field project is situated.
Draft itinerary
July 4-7: On-campus workshops at Monash Malaysia
July 7-9: Cultural immersion, Melaka
July 9-17: Applied field research, Segamat
July 17-19: Cultural immersion, Penang
July 20-21: On-campus workshops and presentations, Monash Malaysia
Pre-departure sessions will be run, dates to be confirmed.
| Dates / Deadlines: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Year | App Deadline | Start Date | End Date |
| Winter | 2026 | 13-Apr-2026 | 04-Jul-26 | 21-Jul-26 |
| Information Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Course Level | Undergraduate, Postgraduate |
| Awarded Credit Points | 12 |
| Minimum WAM | 60% |
| Program Type | GST - Global Study Tour |
| Program Duration | 17 days |
| Leading Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
| Eligible Monash Campus | Monash Australia |
| Requirements | Completion of 48 CP at the time of application (successfully completed first year or equivalent) |
| Funding Available | Monash Abroad Travel Grant |
Program Costs
Program Cost: AU$2,182 per person (excluding airfare)
Deposit Payment: AU$500 due on acceptance of offer Interim payment: $841 due Monday 20 April 2026
Final Payment: $841 due 4 May 2026
Program costs includes:
- Shared room accommodation (Single rooms available for an additional fee)
- Breakfast daily in KL, Melaka and Penang
- All fieldwork expenses
- Transportation to program-related events/activities
- Monash travel insurance policy
- Fieldwork materials.
Program costs do not include:
- International airfares and transfers
- Monash tuition fees*
- Visa (if required - see information below)
- Personal spending money
- Local travel outside of program activities
- Meals and drinks not included in the program
- Medical expenses (which may be claimable via the insurance policy)
- Personal expenses.
*Monash students will be enrolled in ATS3248/APG5203 (12 credit points) and charged standard fees according to their verified funding status. This fee will appear on your Monash Fee Statement.
Travel insurance
Complimentary Monash University travel insurance for the duration of the tour and 15 days either side of the study tour dates
If you are an actively enrolled Monash student and participating in an approved international program, you will be provided with complimentary travel insurance. You will automatically be covered once your application has been approved and your enrolment updated to reflect your study overseas.
Under this policy, travellers will also receive access to 24/7 emergency assistance provided by Global 24 Emergency Assistance and limited coverage for personal travel days.
Visas
Monash Abroad will issue you with supporting documentation to lodge your visa application once you have completed all Monash Abroad requirements and are approved for travel. If you require supporting documentation earlier in the process, please contact Monash Abroad. Please note that Monash Abroad cannot provide advice regarding visa requirements.
Centrelink support documents
For the purposes of maintaining your Centrelink benefits during your overseas program, Monash Abroad will provide you with a letter confirming your participation in a study tour. Please note that this will be issued to you once you have completed all Monash Abroad requirements and are approved for travel.
Important Note:
The New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility grants, Monash Abroad Travel Grant and OS-HELP loan (if applicable) will be paid approximately 2-4 weeks prior to program commencement and only when all Monash Abroad requirements are completed by you. Therefore, these funds will function to reimburse you for monies paid and should not be considered as your primary source of funding to pay program related deposits and balances.
Monash Abroad Travel Grant
Monash students studying in Australia who are enrolled into a credit bearing unit for this program will be assessed for eligibility to receive a Monash Abroad travel grant if they are not otherwise receiving any other scholarship that is intended to cover most or all of your travel/tuition costs for your program (e.g., New Colombo Plan Mobility grant).
You do not need to apply separately for this grant as your eligibility for this grant will be assessed as part of your application.
OS-HELP Loan
OS-HELP is a Commonwealth Government loan program that provides financial assistance to eligible Commonwealth Supported Place students, to undertake some of their study overseas.
If you are eligible for the loan and wish to apply, please submit your application as per the relevant OS-HELP loan term deadline, even if you have not been accepted into your overseas program by that deadline.
Student Loans
If you need help with study-related expenses, please refer to the student loans website and talk to a student adviser at Monash Connect.
Travel Scholarships
Please refer to the travel and placements scholarship website for more information.
| Dates / Deadlines: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Year | App Deadline | Start Date | End Date |
| Winter | 2026 | 13-Apr-2026 | 04-Jul-26 | 21-Jul-26 |
Eligibility
Places are limited and applications will be assessed on a competitive basis. To apply for this program, you must have:
- a minimum WAM of 60% or above
- completed at least 48 credit points at the time of application
- submitted a 200-word personal statement as part of your application that addresses why you are interested in this program and any factors that might otherwise impact your eligibility to take part in this program.
The Personal Statement field can also be an opportunity to outline any circumstances that we should take into consideration in our assessment (e.g. lower than 60% WAM).
At all times Monash University embraces and celebrates true diversity. We strongly welcome applications from our students living with disabilities, who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, students with caring and/or parenting responsibilities, who identify as LGBTIQA+, people of colour, and those whose identities intersect with more than one of the above.
How to Apply
Step 1: Submit an application for this program
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.
Step 2: Selection and enrolment
The Faculty will review all applicants after the deadline to assess eligibility to participate in this overseas. Please note that this generally takes two weeks after applications have closed.
Step 3: Additional data collection and travel approval
Once you application has been assessed, you will be issued with an outcome email. If you are successful, your outcome email will include a letter of offer that you will need to accept. You will receive two additional forms that you need to complete:
1. Passport and medical details, and
2. Travel Approval Request Form.
Important note: you must have a valid passport that does not expire until at least six months after the program end date.
Key contacts
Academic and course content: arts.global.programs.and.partnerships@monash.edu
All other enquiries, please contact Monash Connect
| Dates / Deadlines: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Year | App Deadline | Start Date | End Date |
| Winter | 2024 | 01-Mar-24 | 06-Jun-24 | 22-Jun-24 |
Eligibility
Places are limited and applications will be assessed on a competitive basis. To apply for this program, you must have:
- a minimum WAM of 60% or above
- completed at least 72 credit points at the time of application
- submitted a 500-word personal statement as part of your application*.
* The Personal Statement should respond to the following:
1) What are your motivations for taking this study tour?
2) What can this unit bring to your degree and/or future aspirations?
3) What are the skills to you expecting to develop during this study tour?
4) What are the challenges you can foresee in taking this unit and how do you intend to overcome them?
At all times Monash University embraces and celebrates true diversity. We strongly welcome applications from our students living with disabilities, who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, students with caring and/or parenting responsibilities, who identify as LGBTIQA+, people of colour, and those whose identities intersect with more than one of the above.
How to Apply
Step 1: Submit an application for this program
Click here to apply. Select 'Monash led programs' and then choose 'GST | DGN2000 Singapore & Malaysia Design Study Tour' from the program list. Complete the rest of the form as required.
Step 2: Selection and enrolment
The Faculty will review all applicants after the deadline to assess eligibility to participate in this overseas. Please note that this generally takes two weeks after applications have closed.
Step 3: Additional data collection and travel approval
Once you application has been assessed, you will be issued with an outcome email. If you are successful, your outcome email will include a letter of offer that you will need to accept. You will receive two additional forms that you need to complete:
1. Passport and medical details, and
2. Travel Approval Request Form.
Important note: you must have a valid passport that does not expire until at least six months after the program end date.
Key contacts
Academic and course content: Prof Daphne Flynn, Dept of Design (email: tenille.ibbotson@monash.edu)
All other enquiries, please contact Monash Connect