Yogyakarta, 06/13/2025 — The Department of Cultural Anthropology presented Mike McGovern from the University of Michigan as a resource person in a seminar entitled “Resentment Three Ways: Is Resentment Politically Destructive, or Can it be Constructive?” Cultural Anthropology students attended this event to explore the complex nature of resentment and its impact on society.

In his presentation, Mike McGovern highlighted that most European thinking on resentment follows the views of Friedrich Nietzsche, who belittled this sentiment as part of a “slave rebellion in morality,” which he said characterized Judeo-Christian culture. According to Nietzsche, resentment is considered an emotion that is past-oriented, childish, and ultimately detrimental to the individual who experiences it.

This seminar aims to explore the multifaceted nature of resentment, especially in the context of education and conflict resolution. Mike McGovern emphasized that understanding resentment is essential to fostering dialogue and promoting peace in societies that end conflict. He argues that hurt can lead to destructive political outcomes or serve as a catalyst for constructive change, depending on how it is managed.

Mike McGovern brings together three case studies from Myanmar, Guinea, and the United States to illustrate how hurt operates in different social and economic contexts, each producing different trajectories and outcomes. In Myanmar, for example, hurt has fueled protracted ethnic conflict, divisions, and hampered progress toward reconciliation. Meanwhile, the situation in Guinea shows how collective hurt over colonial legacies has fueled movements toward social justice and political reform.

Throughout the seminar, McGovern encouraged participants to reflect on their own experiences with hurt and consider how these feelings can be transformed into positive action. He emphasized the importance of education in this process, as it provides individuals with the tools to engage in constructive dialogue and resolve conflict.

As the seminar concluded, participants left with a new understanding of the dual nature of hurt. While it can be a source of discord and conflict, it also has the potential to inspire change and foster unity when approached thoughtfully. The event emphasized the importance of addressing emotions such as hurt in efforts to achieve sustainable development goals, especially in the areas of education and conflict resolution.

[Humas FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, June 2, 2025 — The International and Indonesian Language Learning Center (INCULS), Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada, welcomed an academic visit from students and lecturers of the English Literature Study Program, Universitas Duta Bangsa Surakarta. The event took place on Monday, June 2, 2025, from 09.00 to 11.00 WIB at the Auditorium of Prof. Dr. R.M. Ng. Poerbatjaraka FIB UGM.

The visit began with opening remarks from the Deputy Coordinator of INCULS, Wiastiningsih, S.S., M.A., Ph.D., who expressed appreciation for the enthusiasm of the visiting participants and emphasized the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange between higher education institutions in broadening students’ academic horizons. In her speech, Dr. Wiastiningsih also introduced the vision and programs of INCULS to the visiting students.

The event continued with a presentation session delivered by three INCULS instructors: Fitthrotul Izzah, S.S., M.A., Novi Wulandari, M.A., and Alvanita, S.S., M.Ed.—all of whom are alumni of the English Literature Program at FIB UGM.

The speakers shared their personal journeys, from becoming instructors at INCULS to pursuing advanced degrees abroad. They discussed cultural adaptation processes, academic challenges, as well as the motivations and strategies for self-development within international academic environments. Their presentations offered both inspiration and practical insights for students interested in pursuing further studies and participating in global academic mobility.

The Q&A session emerged as one of the most engaging parts of the event. A student named Hans posed a question about the motivations behind the speakers’ decisions to pursue their studies abroad. The speakers responded reflectively, underscoring the importance of curiosity, the courage to step outside of one’s comfort zone, and the commitment to developing academic and professional competencies through international experiences.

This event not only served as a platform for academic exchange but also strengthened the network between Universitas Duta Bangsa Surakarta and Universitas Gadjah Mada. It is hoped that this visit will inspire students to further explore the global academic landscape and prepare themselves to become competitive individuals at both national and international levels.

Writer: Public Relations of FIB UGM, Muhammad Ebid El Hakim

Yogyakarta, 19-21 Mei 2025 —Indonesia is widely recognized as an archipelagic country. According to the Geospatial Information Agency, by 2024, the number of islands in Indonesia had reached 17,360, varying in size, location, socio-cultural systems, and natural as well as human resource potential. As territorial units, these islands are both separated and united by the sea—whose area is even larger than the landmass itself. This fact illustrates that the tendency toward fragmentation may be stronger than that of unity. As a unitary state, Indonesia exists within a constant tension between sameness and diversity, unity and potential disintegration. Therefore, the state must pay serious attention to its islands. It is for this reason that the national motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), continues to be emphasized by the government through various educational institutions and civic doctrinal efforts.

In response to the urgent need to address Indonesia’s existence as an archipelagic state with complex island-related issues, the Doctoral Program in Humanities at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, opened the year 2025 with an international lecture series. The program invited three internationally recognized scholars in island studies to teach and deliver lectures as part of a comprehensive event entitled Critical Island Studies Summer School, themed “The Land, The Sea, and The State.” The invited scholars included Maria Luisa Torres Reyes, a full professor and Scholar-in-Residence at the University of Santo Tomas, Manila; Alex Taek-Gwang Lee, professor of philosophy and cultural studies and founding director of the Centre for Technology in Humanities at Kyung Hee University, South Korea; and Faruk, professor at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM, specializing in literary sociology with a focus on cultural and island studies. The event took place from May 19 to 21, 2025, in Room 709, Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM.

On the first day, the program commenced with an introductory presentation on Critical Island Studies (CIS) by Prof. Maria Luisa Torres Reyes and Prof. Alex Taek-Gwang Lee. Prof. Reyes—affectionately called “Bu Lulu” during her stay in Indonesia—explained that Critical Island Studies was established in 2019 at the University of Santo Tomas, Philippines. Its core focus is to observe and critique island-related studies, particularly in the Asian region.

On the second and third days, the program continued with lecture sessions from four keynote speakers. On Day 2, Prof. Reyes presented a lecture titled “The Sama Bajau: The Nomadic Space/Place Between ‘Laut’ and ‘Pulo’,” followed by Prof. Faruk’s presentation entitled “The Sea, Nomad, and Capitalist.” On the final day, Prof. Toshiya presented an abstract titled “What is the Speculative and Archipelagic Turn in the Recent Tonality of Human Sciences?” which was then followed by the final lecture delivered by Prof. Alex titled “Artificial Intelligence and the Ecological Catastrophe.”

Guided by a moderator, the event did not merely consist of lectures but also featured engaging discussions with the participants. The entire Critical Island Studies (CIS) Summer School concluded with closing remarks by Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro, S.S., M.Hum., DEA, Vice Rector for Education and Teaching at Universitas Gadjah Mada.

[Doctoral Program in Humanities]

Yogyakarta, May 21, 2025 – The Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), held a public lecture entitled “Sugianto’s Heroic Action in the Great Fire Crisis in Korea” on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 11:00 AM.

The public lecture featured Prof. Yang Seung Yoon, a prominent scholar in Korean history and culture, as the keynote speaker. In his presentation, Prof. Yang shared a moving true story about the bravery of an Indonesian citizen named Sugianto, who was involved in a major fire crisis in Korea. The story not only portrayed extraordinary humanity but also highlighted how a foreign national could make a meaningful contribution during a cross-national crisis.

The session was highly interactive, with Prof. Yang weaving in historical narratives, the geography of Korea, and the human values that formed the core of his lecture.

Following the lecture, the event continued with the awarding of scholarships from KAGAMA Korea to eleven students of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program. This scholarship represents the alumni’s concern and support for advancing the education of younger generations, especially those who show dedication and commitment to Korean studies.

To conclude the event, Prof. Yang Seung Yoon presented books on Korean history to the attendees. The books symbolize a commitment to supporting intercultural learning and serve as valuable references for the students. After the book presentation, Prof. Yang left the audience with a memorable message: “Never stop reading.” This simple yet meaningful remark inspired all participants to continue expanding their knowledge through literacy.

This event not only strengthened the bonds between academia, alumni, and the Korea–Indonesia community, but also formed part of a broader effort to foster global academic collaboration and promote quality education through intercultural knowledge exchange.

[Bachelor of Korean Language and Culture, Nisa Khairuna Sabilla]

Yogyakarta, 21 May 2025 — The American Studies Students and Alumni Association (ASSAA), in collaboration with the American Studies Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), held a public lecture titled “Representations of American Families in the Media” on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Jakarta time).

The event featured Dr. Suzie Handajani, M.A., a lecturer at the Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, as the keynote speaker. In her lecture, Dr. Suzie explored how American families are portrayed across various media forms—from television and film to advertisements. She explained that these representations not only reflect the cultural values prevalent in American society but can also reinforce or challenge them. Using various examples, Dr. Suzie illustrated how media plays a crucial role in shaping public perceptions of what constitutes a “family” and what an ideal family life looks like in the American context.

With her academic background in cultural anthropology and media studies, Dr. Suzie encouraged participants to critically examine the stereotypes, dominant narratives, and social dynamics that emerge from the representation of families in American media. The topic is highly relevant not only to students of American Studies and Cultural Studies, but also to anyone interested in media studies, communication, and family dynamics in a global context. Through an interdisciplinary approach, participants were invited to see media not merely as entertainment, but as a site of meaning-making that influences how we understand the world around us.

In her presentation, Dr. Suzie highlighted the significant transformation in the representation of American families as media transitioned from traditional television to digital platforms. One example she discussed was The Cosby Show, a popular 1980s sitcom that portrayed the life of an upper-middle-class African-American family. This show was seen as an effort to construct an ideal image of Black families in the public eye—an important step in reshaping perceptions of African-American communities through mainstream media.

However, according to Dr. Suzie, media representations of families are not static. With the rise of digital media and streaming platforms, narratives about American families have become more diverse, inclusive, and complex. Digital media has created space for previously underrepresented voices and perspectives to emerge—ranging from families of various racial, class, and sexual orientation backgrounds to non-traditional family dynamics that are now more widely represented in popular culture.

The lecture was conducted in an interactive and enthusiastic atmosphere. Students were not just passive listeners; they actively engaged in discussions, shared insights, and compared their own cultural experiences with media and family concepts. These discussions provided a collective space for reflection on how the media content we consume daily subtly shapes our views and expectations about family life.

Additionally, in her presentation, Dr. Suzie touched on the history of American television shows aired in Indonesia since the 1990s, before local soap operas began to dominate the screen. Series such as Married with Children, Young Sheldon, and The Simpsons were highlighted as examples of how media constructs various family archetypes—from the absurd and humorous to the intellectual and unconventional. These shows not only entertained but also carried American values and worldviews that, consciously or not, influenced Indonesian audiences.

This lecture is part of the Media and Popular Culture Studies course, which aims to encourage students to think critically about social representations in the media. Through its interdisciplinary framework, the course invites students not only to be media consumers, but also conscious and reflective readers of the cultural messages embedded in various forms of popular media.

[Post Graduate in American Studies, Gilang Hadian]