Project Overview
Religion and U.S. Foreign Policy in Cold War Indonesia
Department(s)
Religion
Middle Eastern Studies and Islamic Civilization
Asian Studies
Abstract
As part of the on-going research for a new book, this summer fellowship invites students to examine the intersection between religion and U.S. foreign policy in Indonesia. Overall, the book project investigates how American governmental institutions like the State Department, the CIA, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and major non-governmental organizations like the Rockefeller, Ford, and Asia Foundations worked to mold Indonesian Muslims into useful, anti-communist allies during the Cold War. Summer 2025 research will focus on American relationships with Muslim political parties during the turbulent and violent 1960s. Students will work closely with the professor - and one another - to organize, take on notes, and begin to analyze thousands of archival documents from both US governmental agencies and private foundations. While students are not expected to have any experience with archival research, interest in the history of U.S. foreign policy, the Cold War, modern Islamic politics, and/or Indonesia is required. This is a great opportunity to get hands-on experience with historical research in religion, MIST, or Asian studies.
Student Qualifications
Students must have experience studying at least one of the following subjects at Colgate: U.S. foreign policy, the Cold War, modern Islamic politics, and/or Indonesia. Students should also have experience with and/or enthusiasm for primary source research in religion or history.
Number of Student Researchers
2 students
Project Length
8 weeks
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