KEMANUSIAAN
The Asian Journal of Humanities
Published by
Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia
| Past Issue - Volume 18, Number 2, 2011 |
EDITORIAL
This issue marks the beginning of a new publication series by KEMANUSIAAN the Asian Journal of Humanities (KAJH) as it shifts from an annual to a biannual publication. This timely move happily coincides with the journal’s acceptance into the SCOPUS citation index which presents an opportune occasion for the journal to revisit the humanities discipline, to take stock of its role in knowledge advancement and its place in social development. Thus, it is fitting that this issue of KAJH carry two thought-provoking articles on the centrality of the humanities as an agent of sustainability as well as change. In the article 'Towards a Restoration of the Humanities in the Future University: Asia's Opportunity', the author argues that from the 'ruins' of Western Humanities and amidst the global changes that are taking place, there is an opportunity for the humanities to take on a leading role 'in university-based knowledge building and education'. This, the author suggests, should begin in Asian universities where there is space for reinventing the humanities befitting the 21st century glocal revolution. The second article on the humanities, 'Empowering the Humanities: A Focus on Language Studies', is a keynote address that was delivered at an international humanities conference. In keeping with the theme of the conference which is Empowering the humanities in upholding heritage, knowledge, people and nature, the paper focuses on the vital role of the humanities as an academic discipline in society and development. Drawing inspiration from the area of linguistics, a subdiscipline of the humanities, the author argues that overlaps between disciplines can and should be harnessed to empower the humanities. Crucially, the author elegantly suggests, '(c)ollaborating rather than isolating is a powerful method in the generation of new ideas for the development of society'.
Indeed, it is the collaboration between disciplines in the humanities that allows for the meeting of linguistics and divine revelation in the article 'Language Acquisition, Linguistic Creativity and Achievement: Insights from the Qur'an'. The issue of language acquisition has always been the concern of the area of linguistics. In this article, however, the author draws evidence from research in the Arab context with regard to the tradition of learning the Qur’an to present an alternative view on language acquisition, creativity and attainment. The article, in essence, suggests that there is a strong relationship between learning the Qur’an by heart and language as well as scholastic achievement.
The potential of the humanities to converge methods and the permeability of the area made possible the inclusion of two other articles in this issue that are diametrically opposite in terms of concern and methodology, but which fall within the scope of the humanities. The article 'A Marxist Interpretation of the Dystopian Society in the African Novel' as the title suggests is an analysis of a social concern based on literary work. Based on the writings of two 'less canonised novelists', the discussion of dystopia in fictional Africa is not only engaging, but also, provocative. Just as interesting is the issue of the effects of the global on the local in the article 'Foreign Direct Investment and Development of Electric and Electronic Products Industry in Penang State, 1970–2007'. The article discusses the impact of global changes on local socioeconomic and geographical development, particularly in the state of Penang in Malaysia, and highlights the resulting challenges that are faced by the state to remain an industrial hub.
- A Marxist Interpretation of the Dystopian Society in the African Novel
Sola Afolayan
Abstract: This essay attempts an evaluation of the African novel with the postulates of Marxism. Because of this interest, we are given the chance to probe into the worlds of two less canonised novelists within the aesthetic canon of African fiction—Nigeria's Biyi Bandele-Thomas and Lekan Oyegoke. In their respective works, both writers have exhibited artistic fervour for showing dystopian Africa as it is. Their fictional exemplars capture the despicable Nigerian societies either under the military regime or in the hands of the corrupt politicians. As both authors want us to believe, the era of money-seeking leaders in Nigeria has been the incontrovertible factor that further relegates the country to the political and socioeconomic background in world politics. The essay thus makes clear the Marxist initiative of the alienation between the haves and the have-nots of African societies.
Keywords and phrases: Marxism, Dystopian, African, novel
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- Towards A Restoration Of The Humanities In The Future University: Asia's Opportunity
Cameron Richards
Abstract: This paper explores the possible restoration of a leadership role for the humanities in university-based knowledge building and education. Such a global restoration is required in the face of various social, ethical, and human capital dilemmas associated with such issues as climate change, financial market instability, and the exclusion of many people from a privileged, 'high-tech' knowledge society. Although traditional humanities faculties in Western universities have long been in decline, many emerging 'technological' universities in Asia still view a knowledge of the humanities as a prerequisite to and indicator of maturity and a well-rounded education. This paper will investigate the potential roles and interests of re-invigorated humanities disciplines in terms of (a) the formal enterprise of human knowledge building both inside and outside of the Academy and (b) their particular relevance to an Asia-Pacific context as well as to an interconnected, global network society. The paper develops two related proposals. The first proposal is that we might rescue from the 'ruins' of the arguably discredited Western humanities project a more globally convergent foundation for the humanities. We develop this distinction by deploying the universal insights and enduring contributions of two of the most brilliant and perhaps wisest inheritors of the humanities project in the West, Paul Ricoeur and Hannah Arendt. The second proposal that we explore holds that, because emerging Asian universities are not so deeply stuck in the West's out-of-date categories and framework, they may be in a better position to help reinvent the humanities in terms of 21st century possibilities and imperatives that are grounded in the local contexts of the global knowledge-building convergence.
Keywords and phrases: humanities faculties, Asian Universities, dialogical humanism, hermeneutics, 21st century knowledge-building, global knowledge convergence, cross-cultural communicatio
- Pelaburan Langsung Asing dan Pembangunan Industri Barangan Elektrik dan Elektronik di Negeri Pulau Pinang, 1970–2007
(Foreign Direct Investment and Development of Electric and Electronic Products Industry in Penang State, 1970–2007)
Nooriah Yusof
Abstrak: Perkembangan sektor perindustrian pembuatan terutamanya sektor Barangan Elektrik dan Elektronik (BEE) telah membawa banyak perubahan kepada struktur ekonomi, pola guna tenaga dan juga pembangunan kawasan di Malaysia. Perkembangan ini banyak dikaitkan dengan kemasukan Pelaburan Langsung Asing (PLA) ke negara ini sejak awal tahun 1970an lagi. Kejayaan industri BEE di Malaysia sejak beberapa dekad ini banyak bergantung pada kelebihan lokasi industri di negara ini untuk menarik pelaburan langsung asing. Walaupun Malaysia mampu melakar perkembangan industri BEE yang baik, namun pergantungan kepada pengeluaran industri BEE untuk eksport dan pelaburan modal asing, telah menyebabkan negara ini turut menerima kesan yang ketara akibat perubahan yang berlaku pada peringkat global. Dominasi asing dalam sektor industri BEE sangat ketara khususnya di Pulau Pinang. Kawasan perindustrian Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang yang dikenali pada peringkat global sebagai pengeluar produk elektronik yang terkemuka di Malaysia telah membina reputasi yang tinggi dalam industri tersebut dan telah diintegrasikan dalam Rangkaian Pengeluaran Global. Artikel ini menyusur galur proses perkembangan industri BEE di Malaysia amnya dan Pulau Pinang khususnya rentetan daripada perubahan global industri BEE yang telah membawa kepada aliran masuk PLA ke negeri ini. Walaupun PLA membawa banyak perubahan kepada negeri ini namun pembangunan yang berlaku masih memperlihatkan beberapa kelemahan yang boleh memberi kesan terhadap pembangunan di negeri ini, selain daripada beberapa cabaran yang harus diatasi oleh Pulau Pinang dalam usaha untuk terus menjadi hub yang menarik kepada pelaburan asing di rantau ini.
Kata kunci dan frasa: industrialisasi, Pelaburan Langsung Asing, industri barangan elektrik dan elektronik, rangkaian pengeluaran global, negeri Pulau Pinang
Abstract: The development of the industrial sector, especially Electric and Electronic Products (E&E) has brought many changes to the structure of the economy, employment patterns and spatial development in Malaysia. This development has been attributed to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) coming into the country since the early 1970s. The success of the E&E industry in Malaysia then was dependent on locational advantages in attracting FDI. Although Malaysia has made an impressive development in E&E industry, the reliance on E&E production for export and investment of foreign capital has also caused the country to be impacted by global changes. Foreign domination in the E&E sector is very significant especially in the State of Penang. The Bayan Lepas industrial area in Penang is known globally as a leading manufacturer of electronic products in Malaysia. It has a high reputation in E&E industry and has also been integrated into the Global Production Network. This article discusses the development of E&E industry in Malaysia in general and in Penang in particular, due to the inflow of FDI into the country following changes in the E&E global industry. Although the FDI has brought many changes to the state they are weaknesses that can affect development. As well, there are challenges that must be overcome by the Penang State to remain the regional key hub for foreign investmentKeywords and phrases: industrialisation, Foreign Direct Investment, electric and electronic products industry, global production network, State of Penang
- Language Acquisition, Linguistic Creativity and Achievement: Insights from the Qur'an
Mohammed A. Zaid
Abstract: This paper discusses the relationship between learning the Qur'an by heart and academic achievement, language learning and linguistic creativity. It also attempts to arrive at Qur'an-grounded foundations for language acquisition theory. This opinion paper outlines the basis from which to consider the Qur'an not only as a book of religious teachings but also as a linguistic miracle for Arabs. In this vein, the paper considers available research evidence documenting the relationship between language creativity and learning the Qur'an and also establishes a relationship between learning the Qur'an and scholastic achievement in other school subjects. Research indicates that the Qur'an can be a strong source for teaching thinking methods and creativity. The paper re-considers language acquisition in the light of the Qur'an and research investigations into its effects on creative language learning based on relevant scholarly Arabic writings. The paper ends with pedagogical notes and implications for L1 and L2 learning.
Keywords and phrases: the Qur'an, language acquisition, language learning, linguistic creativity, language aptitude/innateness
- Empowering the Humanities: A Focus on Language Studies
Asmah Haji Omar
Abstract: he division of knowledge in universities into the Arts or the Humanities on the one hand and the Sciences on the other, has given rise to the perception that the latter are more important in nation building compared to the former, as seen in the emphasis given by the authorities in the training of expertise, budgeting of research projects and planning of manpower.
This paper foregrounds the importance of the Humanities as an academic discipline in a well balanced programme of nation building. This significance lies in the Humanities’ focus on the person as a human being, and arising from that the human civilisation. In order to change the world-view of the authorities the disciplines in the Humanities have to empower themselves through collaboration in their research as there is a great deal of overlapping between them in terms of data and methodology, trends of thought in application of theory, not to mention the basic concepts which flow from one discipline to the other. Collaborating rather than isolating is a powerful method in the generation of new ideas for the development of society. Illustrations are taken from research in linguistics.
Keywords and phrases: generating ideas, research projects, collaboration
Book Review
- Bahasa Reformasi: Political Rhetoric in Post-Suharto Indonesia. Volume 6 of Frankfurter Forschungen zu Südostasien by Arndt Graf, Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag, 2010.
Shakila Abdul Manan
