Yogyakarta, 30/4/2025 – Amid the shifting focus of American Studies, which is no longer confined to the geographical boundaries of the United States, the Master’s Program in American Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada demonstrates how a transnational approach opens up a broader and more relevant scope of study. Students not only study America as a nation but also explore how American values, culture, and ideologies move across borders, infiltrate local spaces, and interact with the social realities in Indonesia. From street music to beauty pageant stages, this transnational approach places American Studies as a critical space to understand the intersection of global and local cultures, while also uncovering the power relations that accompany it.

One clear example of how American culture transforms into a local form can be found in the heart of Yogyakarta, specifically in the Wijilan area. A. Fahmi Dahlan, S.S., M.A., examines the hip-hop community in Wijilan, Yogyakarta. With a transnational approach in American Studies and Gramsci’s theory of cultural hegemony, Fahmi explores how the hip-hop culture, originating from America, is not merely imitated but reinterpreted and adapted to the local context. In the hands of the youth in Wijilan, hip-hop becomes more than just music or fashion—it becomes a medium for social criticism, identity expression, and community empowerment. Through activities like Kidz on the Beat, the Soringin festival, and distinctive fashion styles, it is evident how global culture is negotiated into a form that is both contextual and meaningful locally. This research shows that popular culture can create participatory spaces that are inclusive and promote social transformation from the grassroots.

Fahmi Dahlan, S.S., M.A. with Dr. Aris Munandar, M.Hum., Head of the American Studies Master’s Program, FIB UGM

Meanwhile, Aprilia Nilham, S.Pd., M.A., in her study of the Puteri Indonesia pageant, uncovers another side of American cultural hegemony, this time through international beauty contests, which often influence local cultural values in Indonesia. This study reveals how American culture, through the influence of Miss Universe, shapes the Puteri Indonesia pageant and reflects the evolving global cultural hegemony. Using Gramsci’s theory of hegemony, the research shows that while Puteri Indonesia is supposed to reflect Indonesian cultural identity, American culture has subtly integrated into various aspects, from lifestyle to language. Controversies surrounding issues such as bikinis, transgender participants, and cooperation with Israel highlight the tensions between local and global values. On the other hand, this hegemony also underscores the importance of critical understanding of the media and global culture, so that society can balance external influences while maintaining local values in the effort to create an inclusive, just, and competitive society.

Aprilia Nilham, S.Pd., M.A., with Dr. Aris Munandar, M.Hum., Head of the American Studies Master’s Program, FIB UGM

Through a transnational approach in American Studies, both studies encourage us not to passively accept the influence of global culture but to critically reexamine, question, and transform it into something more relevant and meaningful within the local context. American Studies, in this regard, serves not only as a study of America but also as a tool to understand and respond to global forces critically, opening spaces for more just and sovereign discourses. Thus, the contribution of American Studies in responding to global cultural dynamics is significant, both in understanding the influence of America in Indonesia and enriching global discourse with empowered local perspectives.

Yogyakarta, 30/4/2025 – Amid the buzz of graduation celebrations, students of the American Studies Master’s Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada carry stories of struggle that go far beyond academic achievements. Through their theses, they have examined the voices of women, minority groups, and religious discourses in America—not merely as research subjects, but as mirrors reflecting pressing social issues with deep relevance to global life and the Sustainable Development Goals. 

One of the most prominent themes is the matter of religiosity in contemporary American society. In her research, Eliyawati, S.S., M.A., explores the representation of American women’s religiosity in the TV series Young Sheldon. By combining Stuart Hall’s theory of representation and the Post-Nationalist approach in American Studies, she dissects how the religious beliefs of American women—from Baby Boomers to Generation X—are portrayed through intergenerational female characters. Her findings reveal a range of religious expression: from spiritual devotion that positions women as the “church within the family” to a shift toward secularism influenced by modernity, media, and education. This study not only captures the transformation of religious values in American society but also opens a space for reflection on the role of women within religious institutions and public life.

Eliyawati, S.S., M.A. with Dr. Aris Munandar, M.Hum., Head of the American Studies Master’s Program, FIB UGM

Leny Roslinda Sinaga, S.S., M.A. also explores gender representation in her study of the hit romantic thriller series You. The series becomes a reflective medium to examine how masculine dominance—disguised as romance—often manipulates women’s perceptions in popular culture. Leny investigates how love can become a veil for abuse and how American pop culture constructs and perpetuates such narratives. Using deconstruction theory, her research emphasizes the urgency of gender equality and the need for women to be conscious of power relations, both in personal relationships and in the public sphere, especially within the media industry that remains heavily influenced by masculine narratives.

Leny Roslinda Sinaga, S.S., M.A. with Dr. Aris Munandar, M.Hum., Head of the American Studies Master’s Program, FIB UGM

A similarly powerful lens is offered by Zahra Kamila, S.Pd., M.A., whose thesis focuses on the film On the Basis of Sex, which portrays the real-life struggles of Ruth Bader Ginsburg as she challenged a male-dominated legal system. The film serves as a gateway to examine masculine social structures while mapping strategies such as legal advocacy, access to higher education, and cross-gender collaboration. Zahra’s research underscores that the fight for gender equality is not only about breaking barriers but also about reinforcing values of justice and inclusive institutions—two critical elements in shaping a just and civil society.

Zahra Kamila, S.Pd., M.A. with Dr. Aris Munandar, M.Hum., Head of the American Studies Master’s Program, FIB UGM

In the digital realm, Annida Ul Marhamah, S.S., M.A. investigates the identity struggles of Bretman Rock, a Filipino-American LGBTQ+ influencer who uses new media as a platform for self-expression and resistance against stereotypes. Amid the prevailing heteronormative narratives in American pop culture, Bretman emerges as an alternative voice who boldly challenges the limits of racial, gender, and sexual identity representation. Through Jacques Derrida’s theory of deconstruction, Annida dissects how microaggressions—often expressed through public comments and social expectations—are not merely personal but deeply structural. Her study reveals that digital media narratives can be reclaimed as emancipatory spaces where authenticity becomes a form of resistance. In addressing SDGs related to reducing inequality and gender equality, the research highlights the power of authentic digital storytelling and advocates for broader cross-cultural understanding and self-representation as foundations for a more equitable society.

Annida Ul Marhamah, S.S., M.A. with Dr. Aris Munandar, M.Hum., Head of the American Studies Master’s Program, FIB UGM

These four studies affirm that academia is not merely a place to learn theory, but a space to voice injustice, deconstruct dominant narratives, and celebrate diversity. From films and television series to digital platforms, these students demonstrate that American Studies is no longer just about “America”, it is a critical tool to understand the world, others, and even ourselves in the midst of global transformation.

[Public Relation of American Studies, Nariza Ayu Pasha]

Yogyakarta, 30/4/2025 – On Wednesday, 23 April, six students from the American Studies program of FIB, Gadjah Mada University, finished their studies by producing a thesis focusing on social issues and culture that was part of American popular culture. Those six students who graduated consist of Eliyawati and Zahra Kamila from Angkatan 2022 genap, A. Fahmi Dahlan, Leny Roslinda Sinaga, Annida Ul Marhamah from Angkatan 2022 Ganjil,  and Aprilia Nilham from  Angkatan 2021 Genap. In their thesis, not only the graduate show deep examination of America internally, but also study on America influence that was felt by another country, which is Indonesia.

One thesis written by A. Fahmi Dahlan, “American Hegemony in Indonesian Mass Culture: A Case Study on Hip-hop Community in Wijilan Yogyakarta,” examined how Indonesian hip-hop music was influenced by American hip-hop music through its complex elements. This thesis found that the hegemony in Wijilan hip-hop music could be seen through its cultural empowerment and use of hip-hop as a tool to criticize social issues. In other words, they adapt and merge the global influence with local identity.

As a comparison to previous theses that connected America with Indonesia, the thesis written by Eliyawati titled “The Representation of American Women’s Religiosity in Young Sheldon” found that the concept of Christianity embraced by American women can be observed through their attitudes and the implementation of religious values, including in the roles of women within the family—roles that show a stark contrast when compared to women who do not adhere to any particular faith. In her thesis, she also argues that this representation is evident across the three generations portrayed in Young Sheldon.
Through research that employs a variety of perspectives and issues, their writings are expected to enrich and become references for future studies, especially those related to America, popular culture, and social issues both within America and globally, in order to help build a more open society.

[Public Relation of American Studies, Reni Renatawati]

Yogyakarta, 21/4/2025 – Warung Sastra once again served as a warm and critical space for literary dialogue during teh “Malam Buku” (Book Night) event held on Sunday, April 21, 2025. The event featured Dari Dalam Kubur autor Soe Tjen Marching, alongside Ramayda Akmal, a lecturer in the Master’s Program in Literature at Universitas Gadjah Mada, as a guest speaker. This dialogue offered an in-depth discussion on how the novel constructs a historical narrative through the intergenerational experiences of its characters.

In the discussion, Ramayda stated that the novel does not merely present a personal story but also serves as a space to articulate the collective wounds of the nation. “The stories of Carla, her mother, and her grandmother are not just individual experiences. They carry the weight of history and give voice to those who have long been silenced, “she said. Ramayda further emphasized that the novel positions the female body as a historical site that reveals systemic violence rooted in the state, race, and dominant patriarchy.

Dari Dalam Kubur specifically highlights the issue of intergenerational trauma within families affected by the political violence of 1965 in Indonesia. The novel is also marked by a retrospective narrative approach. “Ms. Marching writes from the present, with an awareness of past events, for the sake of our understanding today,” Ramayda explained. She underlined that the function of historical fiction is not merely to revive the past but to critique ongoing inequalities. When past narratives continue to echo in the present, it signifies unresolved issues that require collective attention.

During the session, Soe Tjen Marching revealed that the writing process of this novel was hindered by emotional blocks caused by trauma. “When something is too painful, our bodies block it. We think we have forgotten, but the trauma becomes even more real,” she said. She stressed that dari Dalam Kubur is not just a work of fiction, but rather a reflective space that invites readers to engage in a dialogue with the inherited wounds passed down through generations.

This discussion highlighted the importance of historical literacy, gender awareness and freedom of expression–values that serve as the foundation for sustainable development. Dari Dalam Kubur offers a space for contemplation for anyone seeking to understand how historical trauma continues to resonate in the pulse of today’s life.

[Public Relation Magister of Literature, Marsya Kamila]

Yogyakarta, April 16, 2025 – The Arabic Literature Student Association (IKMASA) held a post-Ramadan gathering event titled Ikmasa Balalan 2025 at Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Taking place from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM WIB, the event acted as a valuable opportunity for spiritual reflection and strengthening bonds between students and lecturers of the Arabic Literature Department after the holy month of Ramadan 1446 H.

The event opened with remarks from the Master of Ceremony, followed by the reading of Syawalan pledges delivered by representatives from each academic year, starting from the 2021 to 2024 cohorts. A solemn atmosphere filled the room as Muhammad Ardiansyah (2021), Shang Narendra (2022), Faris Zaky Ramadhan (2023), and Haris Arfakhsyadz Azka Maula Harapan (2024) took turns to deliver the pledges. The Syawalan pledge continued with a heartfelt delivery by Mr. Abdul Jawat Nur, S.S., M.Hum., representing the lecturers of the department.

The Syawalan pledge was more than just a ceremonial act—it served as a sacred moment of mutual forgiveness for any past wrongdoings, whether between fellow students or between students and lecturers. The essence of sincerity, unity, and familial bonds was deeply felt throughout the session.

The main event was the tausiyah delivered by Dr. Nur Kholid, M.Pd.I., who shared post-Ramadan insights and emphasized the importance of maintaining spiritual growth during the month of Syawal. He discussed the deeper meaning of the commonly heard phrase “Minal Aidin wal Faidzin”, the significance of Syawal as a month of personal elevation, and the noble pursuit of becoming a pious individual.

The event concluded with a closing prayer led by Mr. Abdul Jawat Nur, S.S., M.Hum., followed by a group photo session and mushofahah—the traditional greeting and expression of forgiveness among participants. Warmth and camaraderie were evident in the interactions between students and lecturers.

Through Ikmasa Balalan 2025, IKMASA successfully fostered deeper spiritual understanding and reinforced the spirit of togetherness during this blessed Syawal moment.

[Public Relation of Arabic Literature, Muhammad Ardiansyah]