In commemoration of Eid al-Fitr and realization of literacy and knowledge in education as part of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Media and Cultural Studies Program (KBM) organized a Book Discussion titled “Proliferasi Pemikiran Sosial Kritis” (Proliferation of Critical Social Thought) on Tuesday, 23 April 2024. Serving as the keynote speaker was Prof. Dr. Heru Nugroho (Professor of Sociology and lecturer at KBM ), representing the writing team, and Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro, S.S., M.Hum., DEA (Professor of Literature and Gender Studies and lecturer at KBM) as the discussant.
During this discussion, Prof. Dr. Heru Nugroho elucidated the reasons behind him and the team writing this book, rooted in critical social ideology which is then intertwined with numerous social phenomena. Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro, S.S., M.Hum., DEA, fondly addressed as Bu Wening, as the discussant, presented a section of the book that links critical social theory to the world of higher education. Bu Wening explained that this book is complex and sophisticated as it transcends the history of methodological thought at the theoretical level. Bu Wening also addressed the challenges faced by academics today, especially in an era where technology is utilized as a “ghost” to instill fear and control into every aspect of our lives. The speakers also engaged in self-reflection as members of the academic community, recognizing the tendency towards the erosion of the quality of higher education in Indonesia, seemingly rooted in a mentality of competition among academics.
The event concluded with a lunch together, still in the atmosphere of Eid al-Fitr celebration.
