The series of events for the 2nd American Studies International Conference at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) continues. Organized by the American Studies Study Program on September 10–11, 2024, the conference carries the overarching theme “Global America: Exploring Flows, Borders, and Transnational Exchanges” to examine America through cross-border dynamics and global exchanges.

As previously discussed, this multidisciplinary conference does not merely explore the English language or American popular culture. Instead, it encompasses politics, technology, literature, and environmental issues. This scope is demonstrated through various subthemes—such as American Literature, American Transnational Culture, Film and Media Studies, and Digital Lives—including a primary focus on the political ecology and physical infrastructure of the global digital landscape presented by Anna M. Gade (University of Wisconsin-Madison).

American Influence in Urban Governance and Spatial Politics

Continuing the focus on the connection between global paradigms and local conditions, the conference also highlighted the concept of Transnational “American” Paradigms. This discussion invites participants to shift their perspective on America: moving from seeing it as a mere producer of cultural goods to a source of development paradigms that operate behind the scenes of daily life, including urban planning, public space regulation, and economic activities.

This idea is illustrated in a study titled “Street Vending and Urban Spatial Politics in Solo City, Indonesia: American Paradigms, Urban Landscapes, and the Politics of Informality.” The research demonstrates how the issue of street vendors and urban spatial dynamics in Solo can be read through the lens of American Studies. In this context, the city is positioned as a space where regulations, spatial design, and local economic interests interact.

Through this entire series of discussions, the conference underscores that America can be understood as part of transnational systems moving across national borders. It proves the role of American Studies as an academic space to analyze the relationship between America and various social changes around the world.

[Author: FIB Public Relations, Zaidan Abdurrahman]

The Indonesian Language and Literature Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, in collaboration with the Art Conservation Program at ISI Yogyakarta, TU Wien (Austria), and the Yogyakarta Philosophical Axis Management Office (BPKSF), is organizing a workshop titled “From Tugu to the Krapyak Stage: Storytelling on Yogyakarta’s Philosophical Axis for Children” on September 1–2, 2026, in Room 709 of the Soegondo Building, FIB UGM.

The workshop featured Aryanto Hendro, Head of the Yogyakarta Philosophical Axis Management Office; Ulrike Herbig from TU Wien, Austria; Prima Dona Hapsari, Chair of the Art Conservation Program at ISI Yogyakarta; Nano Warsono from the Art Conservation Program at ISI Yogyakarta; and Novi Siti Kussuji Indrastuti, Chair of the Indonesian Language and Literature Program at FIB UGM.

In his presentation on “The Dynamics of Yogyakarta’s Philosophical Axis,” Aryanto Hendro encouraged participants to understand the Philosophical Axis of Yogyakarta not merely as a series of buildings or urban landmarks. The axis, which stretches from Tugu, the Yogyakarta Palace, to Panggung Krapyak, holds values, history, and philosophy that are important to recognize and pass on to future generations.

Meanwhile, Novi Siti Kussuji Indrastuti, through her session titled “Storytelling on the Philosophical Axis of Yogyakarta for Children,” emphasized the importance of presenting cultural heritage in a way that resonates with children’s worlds. Complex philosophical values can be translated into vivid stories through characters, events, dialogue, games, illustrations, wayang or puppets, songs, and other creative activities. In this way, children not only receive information about the Philosophical Axis but are also invited to experience, imagine, and reinterpret this cultural heritage through their own perspectives.

This workshop also serves as a learning space for undergraduate and graduate students to develop their storytelling skills and apply them with children. Students are encouraged to transform their knowledge of the Philosophical Axis into stories that are communicative, imaginative, and enjoyable, while remaining grounded in the cultural values they embody.

The presence of speakers from various fields and institutions reinforces the interdisciplinary and cross-cultural nature of this workshop. Collaboration between language and literary studies, art conservation, cultural heritage management, and international perspectives opens up new possibilities for introducing the Philosophical Axis to the younger generation.

Through this workshop, storytelling becomes more than just the act of telling stories. Stories become a bridge connecting space, history, philosophy, creativity, and the world of children. From Tugu to the Krapyak Stage, cultural heritage is not merely remembered as a relic of the past but is brought to life through stories to grow alongside future generations. This initiative supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) through creative learning that introduces historical and cultural values to children. Efforts to bring the Yogyakarta Philosophical Axis to life through storytelling are also in line with SDG 11.4, which aims to strengthen the protection and preservation of cultural heritage. Inter-institutional and cross-national collaboration also reflects SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Author: Indonesian Language and Literature

 Three female students from NCCU Taiwan went on a trip to Surabaya: Lina, Juleha and Bela. They set off from Yogyakarta on Friday, 31 July 2026, travelling on the Sancaka train. The journey took four hours, and what caught their attention most was the bustling station. They were amazed by the sheer number of food stalls inside the station.

During their train journey, they ordered packed lunches containing chicken, eggs and sweetcorn. “It tasted good, but it was a bit expensive,” said Lina. They also noticed how spotlessly clean the train carriages were.

When they arrived in Surabaya, Mrs Ani, their teacher who had previously taught at NCCU, came to collect them. She then took them on a tour of the city of Surabaya.

The first place they visited was the university, where Mrs Ani works. On the way, they noticed that the roads in Surabaya were wider than those in Yogyakarta, and there were fewer motorbikes. During the journey, they also saw a great many high-rise buildings and luxurious houses. When they arrived at Airlangga University, they were amazed by the beautiful scenery there. There was a large lake and trees, creating a pleasant atmosphere.

After wandering around for a few minutes, they went on to have lunch at Weby Heritage. They ordered nasi weby, the special mixed rice dish, and soto Betawi. The food at this restaurant was absolutely delicious and tended to be saltier than the food in Yogyakarta.

After that, they went to the zoo. There were lots of unique animals there, such as Komodo dragons, orangutans and Sumatran tigers. However, they only saw the Komodo dragons, which looked lazy and listless.

Author: Lina
Editor: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman

The Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, has sent seven students to participate in the 2026 Integrated Archaeological Research of Indonesia (Penelitian Arkeologi Terpadu Indonesia/PATI), organized by the Arsari Djojohadikusumo Foundation (YAD) in collaboration with six archaeology study programs across Indonesia. The program, which will be held from 27 July to 8 August 2026 in Manyarejo Village, the Sangiran Early Man Cultural Heritage Site, Sragen, Central Java, serves as a field-learning and collaborative research program for archaeology students from universities across Indonesia.

Representing the UGM Department of Archaeology are Agatha Kiara Christy and Muhammad Miftah Syafiq in the Archaeology stream, Zeldera Tahani Sifa, Helena Ken Grace Natalie, and Galih Nugroho in the Museum stream, as well as Nur Sulistyaningsih and Sarah Jasmine Kahiking in the Conservation stream. Throughout the program, the students will be accompanied by Dr. Mahirta, M.A., Dr. Fahmi Prihantoro, S.S., M.A., and Dr. Sektiadi, S.S., M.Hum. as academic supervisors from Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Carrying the theme “Unearthing the Cultural Horizon of Sangiran’s Past,” PATI 2026 will focus on rescue excavations, conservation, and the development of an open-air museum model and community-based site management. Through this program, the students are expected to gain hands-on field experience, expand their academic network with archaeology students from other universities, and further strengthen their knowledge and skills in archaeological research and cultural heritage preservation.

Author : Muhammad Irsyad
Photo Credits : Evelyn Warasti

The Department of Archaeology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, in collaboration with the Cultural Heritage Preservation Office (Balai Pelestarian Kebudayaan/BPK) of East Java Region, conducted an excavation field training at the Sentonorejo Site, Trowulan, Mojokerto, East Java. The program was held over seven days as part of an effort to develop students’ field research skills in archaeology. Throughout the activity, students were supervised by Drs. Musadad, M.Hum. and Dwi Pradnyawan, S.S., M.A. as course instructors. In addition to the excavation work, the program included site orientation and discussion sessions led by Drs. J.S.E. Yuwono, M.Sc., a geoarchaeology expert, and Dr. Eko Yulianto, a geology expert.

The excavation training served as a practical learning experience that strengthened students’ understanding of archaeological research methods while providing an opportunity to apply the knowledge they had gained in the classroom. Besides learning excavation techniques, students were also trained in data recording, archaeological documentation, and the proper handling of findings according to archaeological standards. Through this collaboration, the Department of Archaeology at Universitas Gadjah Mada demonstrated its commitment to enhancing students’ academic competencies and field experience while strengthening its partnership with the Cultural Heritage Preservation Office of East Java Region in archaeological research and cultural heritage preservation.

Author: Jovinka Aldinova Kiranamurti
Photo Credits: Irkam Asroni dan Josephine Kirana Nareswari