📢 [ ❗ Announcement: Registration Deadline Extended for StuCELL 2023❗️❗️ ]

We are delighted to share some exciting news with you. The registration deadline for StuCELL 2023 has been extended to accommodate more participants. We value your interest in being part of this enriching event, centered around the theme “Diversity and Representation: Addressing Issues of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexuality in Linguistics and Literature.”

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to engage in thought-provoking discussions and connect with fellow scholars. Mark your calendar and save your seat for StuCELL 2023: ugm.id/SC23REG

For further information and to complete your registration, please feel free to contact us through the following channels:
📞 WhatsApp: +6285642148362 (Tarisa)
📷 Instagram: stucell_ugm
📧 E-mail: stucell.fib@ugm.ac.id

The English Department hosted one public lecture and two seminars in November 2022. All of the events were held in a hybrid format. To attend the events, attendees would either go to the 7th floor of the Soegondo Building or Zoom meeting. The public lecture on November 1st, 2022, was titled What It Means to Be an Irish Writer. This public lecture was given by Irish novelist Audrey Magee.  The first seminar, titled International Students’ Seminar on Gender Equality, was held on November 8th, 2022. Four speakers from three different universities shared their perspectives on various subtopics. The second seminar was held on November 26th, 2022, titled International Students’ Seminar on Children Issues. This seminar was also delivered by four speakers from three different universities. The event committee was divided into four divisions. They all carried different roles in the events.

Those three events that are being held in the month of November had been prepared one month before. As the committee was divided into four divisions, ours was given the task of handling the belongings and the equipment for the event. Our responsibility spans from ensuring the conditions to making sure it’s usable before the day of the event, on the day of the event, and after it. In regard to it, we had to cooperate with multiple people in order to make the event successful and a smooth ride until the end of it. Since the events were being held offline and online simultaneously, we had to make sure both parties could enjoy it without any hindrances or limitations to their viewing experience. Such as a well-equipped camera to be able to record the view and the sound from the conference and share it with the online audiences so they could see the event without having to attend the lecture in person. English Department lecturers and our faculty members have been more than helpful in our preparation for the events. They have offered assistance and guidance throughout the process while also giving advice to make the event more enjoyable for the guests and attendees. Those experiences were proof that without teamwork and communication, we wouldn’t be able to make the event run smoothly.

The events were carried out well, and in terms of the equipment division, these events ran without uncontrollable constraints. During the event, the flexibility and coordination between the committee in the same or different divisions was very good. Perhaps the thing that needs to be underlined is that, for the next event, the committee can consider using proper equipment that can be used by the timekeeper as the reminder tools for the speakers.

We learned a lot about teamwork while hosting the events. Some errors happened during the events, but they all were handled through communication. From this, we all realized that communication is the key. Since there was no leader, we all played the same role in the division. Still, we can learn the dynamics in committees and coordination between students, student-lecturers, and student-faculty administration.

Written by:

• Fendryan Gabriel 19/446347/SA/20105
• Dini Fauzia 19/446343/SA/20101
• Firda Umiyatun Baroroh 19/440218/SA/19734

Our English Department major held a recruitment event for its students to join the committees of events for an internal Merdeka Belajar – Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program. We joined the secretarial division, a division that carries out duties in the administration and file management. Beforehand, our secretarial team had to prepare several things that are related to administration. It was quite challenging at first because this was our first time taking responsibility for secretarial work. We created a registration form for those who expressed interest in participating in these occasions. Since all three events were organized in both offline and online meetings, a scheduled Zoom meeting link was arranged to facilitate the online attendees. After that, we prepared letters of invitation for them. We coordinated with the logistics department in order to handle any required facilities for the event. However, we were still learning throughout the process. Hence we occasionally asked for consultation or guidance from our supervised lecturers and fellow committee members in finishing our work.

A week before the day of the event, the secretarial division prepared the attendance list for the participants. To make it easier for the attendees to fill out the registration form, we provided a QR Code so that they were able to quickly scan the barcode before entering the venues and be instantly directed to the attendance form. Meanwhile, attendees for lecturers and board of faculty members were in the form of attendance sheets. While handling the administrative work, we also had the responsibility of making e-certificates for the speakers, participants, and committee members. We designed our e-certificates on a collaborative online design platform and received help from the public relations and documentation teams in finalizing them. 

On the day of the event, we distributed our tasks. One person stood by the front desk to welcome offline participants and lecturers and made sure all of them filled out the attendance list before entering the venue on the day of the event. Meanwhile, the other hosted a Zoom meeting. We were also helped by friends from other divisions in welcoming the participants to organize the crowds. After all, the events finished, we double-checked the participants who filled out registration links and attendance lists to determine whether they could receive the e-certificates.

Through these events, we gained valuable teamwork experience that has discovered each of our potentials and competencies. We learned the correct format for composing invitation letters and equipment permission requests. In order to issue these requests, we had to collaborate with other parties in our faculty. This was the most time-consuming duty since we had to go between buildings to verify that all letters and requests were accurate. Due to the fact that the majority of our mistakes were connected to accuracy, carefulness and precision are the essential factors that determine the success of established works. Lastly, this sequence of events has given us the opportunity to develop interpersonal skills relevant to the administration sector. Thank you so much for the fantastic learning method!

Written by:

• Katarina Elsa Savitri, A Student of English Studies Batch 2019
• Vina Annisa Rahmawati, A Student of English Studies 2019

OPEN RECRUITMENT

Hello, English Department Students!

Through this announcement, English Department, FIB, UGM, would like to invite you all to join as committees and participants for two great events that will be commenced next semester/odd semester 2023 (the end of September 2023).

1. StuCELL 2023 (Student Conference on English Literature and Linguistics)
   • For English Department Students of the Year 2020 and 2021 ONLY.
   • For the Year 2020
     • This participation weighs 12 credits. Therefore, to participate on a committee, you are required to finish your Community Service (8 credits) by September 2023 to complete your total 20 credits for MBKM participation.\

• • For the Year 2021
    • This participation weighs 20 credits.
  • Total quota: 30 people
  • For those who are eligible, you can send your application by 3^rd March 2023 via the following Google Form: http://ugm.id/PanitiaStuCELL2023

2. English Days 2023
   • For English Department Students of the Year 2021 and 2022 ONLY.
   • For the Year 2021
     • This participation weighs 20 credits.

• • For the Year 2022
    • No credit
  • Total quota: 30 people
  • For those who are eligible, you can send your application by 3^rd March 2023 via the following Google Form: http://ugm.id/PanitiaED2023

Notes:

1. For students of the Year 2021:
   • one student can only choose one event due to limited credit (24 credits/semester);
   • students can still enrol in regular courses for up to 4 credits.
2. For students of the Year 2022:

• • You are free to enrol in regular classes as usual because this participation cannot yet be converted into credits for students in semester 3.

Contact person:

Adiba: +447460070516 (WhatsApp only)

It was amidst the chaos of community service when a friend of mine suddenly texted me, “Let’s join Studi Independen!” It did not take long for me to say yes. On the last day of registration, I was clueless. I had no idea which company or position would be best for me. After hours of frustration, I finally chose four companies. In short, I got accepted by Sekolah.mu. The name of their program is 21st-Century Digital Educator. Honestly, I do not really remember why I chose this program, but I believe that I was intrigued by the program’s name. It was fascinating.

From what I understand, there were going to be around two hundred students participating in this programme. The students were divided into nine groups, and each of us had four months to complete ten modules. Through the course of this procedure, I gained a wealth of knowledge concerning education. The learning sessions were held both synchronously and asynchronously. Their synchronous sessions were always entertaining! It was challenging yet fun when we were required to discuss a topic and create presentation slides in 15 minutes!

We started our capstone project back in October. We were obliged to make a programme on Learning Management System owned by Karier.mu. The name of our programme is “Teacherpreneur: Start, Run, and Grow Your Business!”. On December 19th, 2022, I presented our programme to the judges and other students with my groupmate. It really was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Our programme was named one of the top three final projects two days later at the closing ceremony! We were thrilled! I was most recently taken aback by the fact that I had been nominated for 19 Best Muvers. Technically, the facilitators of each group chose several best students in their groups to be nominated. That really took me by surprise!

Written by: Firda Umiyatun Baroroh, English Studies Programme, 2019

Proofread by: Adiba Qonita Zahroh, S.S., M.Litt.

The UI/UX Independent Study Program at the Startup Campus was a valuable learning opportunity for me. Through the program, I gained a comprehensive understanding of user experience design, including how to create digital products that provide a seamless and intuitive user experience. I also learned various techniques for generating ideas through the brainstorming process and received valuable insights and best practices from industry professionals.

One of the most impactful aspects of the program was the introduction to the framework of design thinking. This framework has been invaluable in my design process and any creations intended for human use, such as writing or services. It taught me that the most crucial aspect of any creative process is considering the user’s rigour and benefit. Additionally, the framework emphasized the importance of research in the creation process to ensure that everything being made is actually needed and functional.

The program also helped me enhance my skills in using tools like Figma, Miro, and Fig Jam, which are essential for design collaboration in the digital age. I also learned the significance of good research, from preparation to fieldwork. In addition, I gained a strong understanding of visual design basics, including color theory, typography, and grid systems, which allowed me to create visually appealing designs.

Through the final project and assignments in the program, I had the opportunity to further develop my skills in critical and creative thinking. My critical thinking skills were refined as I analyzed the users’ needs for the web application features created by my group. My creativity was also stimulated as we carefully considered the design direction and language that would be not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional for the users.

In conclusion, the UI/UX Independent Study Program at the Startup Campus was an invaluable learning experience that has dramatically enhanced my design skills and knowledge. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from industry professionals and develop my skills in user experience design, collaboration, research, and critical and creative thinking.

Written by: Luis Evan Suprandono, English Studies Programme, 2019

Proofread by: Adiba Qonita Zahroh, S.S., M.Litt.

On Saturday, November 26^th, 2022, the English Studies Programme of UGM held an International Students’ Seminar on Children’s Issues. This event remained the last seminar held on behalf of the English Department students who joined the Kampus Merdeka Program, with three events, including a public lecture and two student seminars. Four speakers provoked various discussions regarding children’s issues around the world.

The seminar started with an opening remark by Dr. Adi Sutrisno, M.A., the Head of the English Department UGM. Later, it was continued by the presentation from the first speaker, Aulia Muchtarom, from the English Studies Programme of UGM 2020. Here, she shared her insights about children’s literature in Indonesia, how it developed amid several obstacles, and how technology has contributed to the development of children’s literature. The second speaker, Dana Castell Martinez from Barcelona, brought up the topic of children’s rights and showed some intriguing data about how children’s rights are often highly violated by adults. The third speaker, Samantha Perez from Oberlin Sanshi, talked about the children’s foster system in the US. Here she provided us with the positive and negative sides of the system and what people can do to raise children’s welfare. The last speaker, Monica Audrey from the English Studies Programme of UGM 2018, shared a thought-provoking issue about gendered language that has been embedded since we were born. Here, she shared some tips to improve children’s language ability and how gender stereotypes have affected their way of speaking.

After the presentation, five questions from the audience revolved around the topic of the advantage of technology for children’s literature, the gendered language of children, and children’s rights related to their privacy and protection. Then, the seminar was closed with a photo session for the speakers, committee, and audience.

Written by: Dasadriya Pitaloka, English Studies Programme, 2019

Proofread by: Adiba Qonita Zahroh, S.S., M.Litt.

A repost from an Obituary to Prof Stephanus Djawanai by Achmad Munjid, PhD

Our FIB UGM team had just finished presenting their study findings at the Jayakarta Military Command Headquarters when they received the unfortunate news. “Pak Steve has passed away,” stated Mbak Wening Udasmoro, the group’s leader and dean of the FIB. She informed her colleagues about the WhatsApp message she had just received. Prof. Stephanus Djawanai, MA, passed away yesterday afternoon, August 31, 2018, at 13.40 WIB. The cheerful man born in Bajawa, Flores, on October 10, 1943, had passed away at the age of 75.

We feel completely lost.

Prof. Stephan Djawanai is an eloquent and motivating lecturer. He will bring warmth and kindness to everyone inside and outside the classroom. His students and co-workers are Muslims, while he is a Catholic. However, religious differences do not divide us. He consistently has an exceptional ability to make students comprehend the stuff he delivers. He is adept at creating “teaching moments.” Occasionally, he uses humour to ensure that students comprehend the material and are excited to hear it. Intellectual illumination is always what makes the learning process interesting.

One morning in my first-year English Literature lecture at UGM, my classmates and I eagerly listened as Pak Steve presented a tale about a couple who were divorcing after a heated argument and whose case had to be taken before the court. When the judge inquired as to the primary cause of their argument, it turned out to be a simple matter: coffee. “Is it true that the explanation involves a cup of coffee?” the judge inquired once again. The spouses nodded their heads in agreement. The judge shook his head, astounded. “How does that make sense? Why do you two want to get a divorce over a cup of coffee? “questioned the Judge “That’s the thing, Your Majesty. I also was unable to comprehend it. My wife became so upset when I said, “Where’s my coffee?” The spouse responded. “Your Majesty, neither the coffee nor his comments to me are important,” the wife said aloud. Again, the Judge said, “So what’s the issue?” “His tone of voice, Your Majesty. His intonation! The tone of his words stripped me of all my human dignity and value!”

Well, from that story, Pak Steve gave us the point, don’t play and take intonation lightly. In pragmatics, intonation is very, very important. Intonation can make the message conveyed effectively. But on the other hand, it can lead to misunderstandings that have fatal consequences, as in the husband and wife’s case. that is how Pak Steve transferred the message of the story to his students. The way he teaches makes concepts that seem complicated to be simple, authentic, clear, relevant and exciting.

Another time, Pak Steve alternately looked at my face and the yellow attendance list card in his hand. In the past, each student was required to sign the yellow card for each meeting as proof of attendance. Above the student signature column is the lecturer’s signature column. In the middle of the semester, apparently, my signature on the yellow attendance card was less than half of Pak Steve’s signature; undeniable proof that I did not attend the class so many times. He wasn’t angry, but his face wasn’t as cheerful as it used to be. “You are in trouble, my friend. If you disappear again from the class, your grade will disappear forever,”  he said. The whole class laughed, but the message I got was completely different. I became more diligent in coming to class after that incident.

When I finished my undergraduate thesis under the guidance of the deceased Prof. Soebakdi Soemanto, Pak Steve became one of the examiners. I remember his question exactly, and that’s probably the only part I remember about my thesis exam to this day. “So where is the meaning of the text?” he asked. His eyes were sharp. His smile bloomed. His entire body movement was an attitude of trust and hope.

“According to structuralism, every text consists of interconnected elements to build a structure. The meaning is in the relation between the elements that make up that structure….” “Stop! Excellent!” he immediately cut off the sentence that I was still going to continue. “Enough, enough, enough. No need to continue! You are right to the point!”

With a Masters’s and PhD degree from one of the best campuses in the US, the University of Michigan, Pak Steve is an intellectual who has been familiar with “discourse analysis” and the thoughts of Derrida, Foucault, Roland Barthes etc., since the early 1980s when only a few people in UGM discussed the names and ideas of these French thinkers. Ten years later, people are exposed to the “posmo” epidemic and are familiar with their thinking. His passion for language and culture led him to become a professor at UGM in 2009 with a captivating speech entitled “Study of Language, Study of Humans”. As an academic who departed from the outskirts of Flores, one of the things that bothered him was the trend of the disappearance of local languages ​​in the midst of the swift global currents. He believes that the loss of a language means the extinction of a group of ideas because the loss of a language means the loss of the human way of knowing and accumulating knowledge, the loss of a distinctive way of expressing experience, reality, and life.  For him, The low variety of ethnolinguistics is a severe problem that has a fundamentally negative impact on humanity. On the other hand, a high variety of ethnolinguistics has excellent potential to contribute to solving human problems and maintaining human humanity.

After 40 years of serving as a lecturer at English Studies Programme, UGM, Prof. Stephanus Djawanai returned to his hometown and was appointed Chancellor of the University of Flores for the period 2012-2016 and 2016-2020. That’s how he took to “pay back” his hometown after spending more than half of his life overseas. However, last July, he was forced to resign from the position due to his prolonged illness for the past few years. Pak Steve also decided to return to Yogyakarta and passed away peacefully at his home in Minomartani after being hospitalized many times. Last Eid, when we visited his residence, he still seemed eager to talk and make jokes, even though his physical appearance seemed increasingly frail. He also spoke about death with a calm look, as if it was the signal. Yesterday, that moment came.

Goodbye, Pak Steve. May you rest in eternal peace. Your passing profoundly saddens us. But we are always proud and grateful to remember your services, kindness, and legacy as a teacher.

Thank you so much, though it will never be enough. Respect!

Yogyakarta, September 1, 2018

Translated by:

Najma Aulia Jauharnafisa

Faricha Adzkia Hamida

Edited and Proofread by:

Adiba Qonita Zahroh, S.S., M.Litt.

November 24, 2022, Universitas Gadjah Mada has graduated many students from various faculties, including 129 students from the  Faculty of Cultural Sciences, of whom 8 are students from English Studies Programme. We had an opportunity to interview one of the graduates, Fatta Conny. She is an English Studies Programme student from batch 2019 who is also the first student to graduate from that class. She finished her studies in 3 years and 2 months, making her the fastest graduate in her batch.

Icha: Good morning, Mbak Fatta, Hello, my name is Faricha. You can call me Icha. I am from the English Studies Program 2020. Here, I would like to ask you some questions about your college life, especially when you were working on your undergraduate thesis. The thing that came to mind when I heard the news about a student who finished her study in 3 years and 2 months is freaking me out, like, ‘How could she do that?’ Since you are in front of me, I would like to congratulate you on your graduation, Mbak Fatta.

Fatta: Thank you very much, Icha.

Icha: So, the first question is, ‘How does it feel to be the first and fastest graduate in your batch?’

Fatta: I feel satisfied because this is an outstanding achievement for me personally. Also, this is one of my goals that can be attained in my final study. To be honest, I had planned on doing this since the fourth semester, and I finally did it.

Icha: Well, that sounds so amazing, and what is your motivation to graduate really quickly? 3 years and 2 months is a short period of time.

Fatta: The term “If becoming the fastest is achievable, why do we not strive for it” can answer this question (laugh). Besides that, I want to make my parents proud of me. They have sacrificed everything they have, and it is my turn to make them smile through my achievement. 

Staff: With that motto and motivation, did you still find any difficulties when you were working on your undergraduate thesis? And how did you deal with it?

Fatta: When I realised that my college thesis topic was something I was truly passionate about, that was the greatest moment of my life. Thankfully, I didn’t have to devote a lot of time to it. In my opinion, the most challenging part of writing a thesis was scheduling regular meetings with one’s supervisor to discuss one’s progress. To put it another way, we can’t just write a thesis on ourselves. The assistance of our supervisor is still required. The thing we need to be aware of is that our supervisors have a full schedule, so if our plans don’t work with theirs, it may be difficult. Therefore, in short, don’t be a procrastinator.

Staff: You stated that wanting to make your parents proud is one of your driving forces. How did the people in your life—your parents, your professors, and perhaps even your friends—encourage you while you were writing your undergraduate thesis? 

Fatta: All the people around me have been really supportive. My parents have been a constant source of strength for me. Because of them, I could push through and get it done. Even when I just got back from community service (KKN), they always reminded me about my thesis (laugh). It was only recently that I realised how crucial those inspirations are for maintaining my upward momentum. My academic advisor, Dra. Sharifah Hanidar, M.Ed., is always there to help me out when I need her advice. Rahmawan Jatmiko, S.S., M.A., is my advisor for my undergraduate thesis. He encourages and pushes me to finish the project as quickly as possible. He also gave me a deadline of September 2022 to defend my undergraduate thesis. But since my community service (KKN) grade has yet to appear in my transcript, I couldn’t make it. 

Staff: The next question is, ‘Could you give us, as students in the English Studies Programme, tips and tricks to do an undergraduate thesis as effectively as possible?’

Fatta: Emm, I think taking full credits (SKS) each semester and trying your best to get the best score you can achieve are the tips. Based on my previous experience, I always take full credits (24 credits) from semester 1 until semester 5. Then, in the remaining semester, I can take another credit that can be adjusted to my interests. But remember to take and finish the mandatory courses because we can only graduate if the compulsory courses have been taken. I always keep in touch with my best academic supervisor, Bu Hani, regarding my plans. Fortunately, she always supports me and helps me reach my own goal. If I may be honest, I have been working on my undergraduate thesis since the end of semester 6 while taking the Proposal Writing course. So I was writing two things at once. When I worked on my undergraduate thesis, I also set my time and goals, like when I should finish chapter one and so on. After getting a revision from my undergraduate thesis supervisor, I revised it as soon as possible and returned it to him to be rechecked.

Icha: Last question, could you give some words of encouragement to the English Studies Programme students working hard on their thesis?

Fatta: Don’t procrastinate in adding one or two sentences to your thesis. Remember, little progress is still progress. (Laugh)

Transcript by: Faricha Adzkia Hamida, English Studies Programme, 2020

Edited and proofread by: Adiba Qonita Zahroh, S.S., M.Litt.