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This study examines the contextual interpretation method developed by Abdullah Saeed, a progressive Muslim scholar who embraces a modern approach to understanding the Qur'an. This approach was created in response to textual interpretation methods in understanding the meaning of Qur'anic verses. Saeed emphasizes the importance of understanding revelation in its social and historical context so that Islamic teachings remain relevant to the times. One of the main concepts in this interpretation method is the hierarchy of values, which distinguishes between immutable and mutable teachings. This research uses a qualitative approach with a focus on literature, analyzing the works of Abdullah Saeed and previous research. The results of the research show that Saeed's Contextual Exegesis method is able to provide a more flexible understanding of the Qur'anic text, especially in verses related to law and ethics. One example of its application is the interpretation of the verse on the hijab in QS. Al-Ahzab: 59, where Saeed emphasizes that the command to wear the hijab has a specific social context that must be understood before being applied in modern life. This approach has broad implications for contemporary Islamic studies, particularly in addressing various social and legal challenges. However, this method has also faced criticism from conservative circles who argue that contextualization may obscure the original meaning of the Qur'an. Therefore, further research is still needed to explore its application in various aspects of Islamic life.

In the digital era, social media platforms like Instagram have become critical arenas for public discourse, especially in political communication. This study investigates public sentiment and expressive speech acts in Instagram comments responding to two of President Prabowo’s key policy announcements: the Free Nutritious Meal Program and the policy of direct bank transfers for regional ASN teacher allowances. Guided by Searle’s theory of speech acts, particularly expressive acts such as thanking, complementing, congratulating, deploring, condoling, apologizing, and welcoming, the study analyzes 60 purposively selected comments, 30 for each policy. The findings show that deploring dominates the discourse, with 67% in the meal program post and 73% in the ASN allowance post, indicating prevailing negative sentiment marked by criticism, disappointment, and frustration. Positive speech acts such as complimenting and thanking were present but marginal. These results highlight the importance of transparent policy implementation and the need for improved public communication strategies to address citizen concerns more effectively on digital platforms.  

The persistence of educational inequality in Indonesia remains evident today. This situation parallels the depiction in Andrea Hirata’s 2005 novel Laskar Pelangi, indicating that the social critique offered by the work has yet to effect widespread change. This study uses a sociological-literary approach to analyze representations of educational inequity in Indonesia as portrayed in Laskar Pelangi. The research uses a descriptive qualitative method, treating novel excerpts as primary and reports as secondary data. Thematic analysis is applied, and data validity is ensured through triangulation within a cross-sectional timeframe. Based on eight data points presented in the results table, the discussion details how the novel illustrates disparities in educational access across six dimensions: infrastructure, teacher availability, facility provision, student distribution, assessment processes, and talent development. These findings reveal the social function of literature as a form of social criticism that can raise public awareness and inform policy initiatives aimed at achieving more equitable education in Indonesia.

The #KaburAjaDulu phenomenon that emerged in early 2025 became a digital expression of Generation Z Indonesia towards various social, economic and political unrest in the country. This hashtag not only reflects the desire to migrate, but also symbolizes criticism of the national situation that is considered not to provide hope and space to develop for young people. This research uses a qualitative approach with the descriptive analysis, and utilizes constructivism theory in international relations and social identity theory to understand the dynamics of Generation Z's increasingly transnational identity. Through social media and diaspora support, Gen Z forms a global community that reinforces a collective narrative of seeking a future beyond national borders. Their identities are no longer confined to conventional nationalism, but are continuously negotiated through cross-border interactions and diasporic experiences. This research concludes that #KaburAjaDulu is not just a temporary trend, but a reflection of the transformation of youth identity in the era of globalization and digitalization. The findings highlight the importance of policies that are more inclusive and responsive to the needs of the younger generation so that they not only become global actors, but also still feel a sense of belonging and want to build the homeland.

This study aims to reveal and describe social criticism in the short story Ina Tonu by Silvester Petara Hurint. This study uses a sociology of literature approach and a descriptive qualitative method. The results of the study indicate that the short story Ina Tonu by Silvester Petara Hurint displays strong social criticism of various aspects of community life. The social criticism in this short story can be concluded as follows, (1) social criticism of the elimination of local culture, (2) social criticism of the loosening of kinship relations in society, (3) social criticism of forced migration of women and the fading of cultural heritage, (4) social criticism of the commercialization of culture and the fading of the sacred meaning of weaving, (5) social criticism of the stigma against indigenous women who are traumatized and sick, and (6) social criticism of the tendency of modern society to interpret tradition in a limited way.

This study examines the poem Sajak Sebatang Lisong by W.S. Rendra through a postcolonial lens, focusing on the underlying social criticism embedded within the text. The poem reflects the persistent social inequalities that continue to affect Indonesian society in the post-independence era, particularly in the realms of education and the marginalization of impoverished children. Through symbols such as the cigarette (lisong), wealthy elites (cukong), and the imagery of an endless road, the poem highlights the lingering presence of colonial structures within contemporary social and educational systems. Employing a qualitative descriptive approach, the study utilizes textual analysis and socio-cultural context as primary analytical tools. The findings reveal that political independence has not been fully accompanied by social justice. Structural oppression and limited opportunities continue to hinder the younger generation in their pursuit of a better future. As such, the poem serves as a powerful literary critique of neocolonial practices and ongoing social alienation. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how literature can reflect colonial legacies and the socio-political dynamics of post-independence Indonesia, while also enriching the discourse in postcolonial literary studies.  

The case involving Seunghan from RIIZE drew widespread attention on social media, particularly on platform X, and triggered various public responses toward SM Entertainment. This study aims to analyze public perceptions of SM Entertainment's reputation through netizen comments on digital platforms. Employing a qualitative approach and participatory observation method, the research examines 15 viral posts made by netizens related to the case. Findings reveal that public opinion is significantly shaped by the pseudo-environment formed on social media. Criticism of SM’s crisis management, disappointment among the fandom, and allegations of supporting bullying emerged as dominant themes. These results highlight the importance of transparency, speed, and social sensitivity in crisis communication in the digital era. The study recommends that entertainment agencies respond more strategically to public opinion in order to preserve their reputation in virtual spaces.  

This study uses a feminist literary criticism approach to analyze Ferena Debivena's short story “The Woman Who Bears the Shadow.”  To investigate the type of gender inequality experienced by Lara, the main character, this research focuses on three schools of feminism: marxist, social, and liberal.  The research used a descriptive qualitative approach, which involved text analysis of the symbolism and narrative structure of the story. The results show that Lara is portrayed as a woman who faces social and emotional challenges due to economic pressure and patriarchal domination.  In addition, the short story criticizes forced marriage and educational injustice for women.  Despite the strength of its theme, this short story can still be improved by the elements of deepening supporting characters, a clear plot, and strengthening the climax.  Therefore, it shows the social reality and serves as a medium to criticize the system that oppresses women.

This study aims to analyze the song “Bayar Bayar Bayar” using the Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) approach based on Teun A. van Dijk’s model. The song was selected due to its explicit criticism of corruption and abuse of power within the Indonesian police institution. The analysis covers three main dimensions in Van Dijk’s theory: discourse structure (macrostructure, superstructure, and microstructure), social cognition, and social context. The analysis reveals that thematically, the song represents the collective experience of society in facing bureaucratic injustice, particularly in the form of illegal levies by the authorities. Its repetitive and straightforward superstructure strengthens the main message. At the microstructural level, the use of direct language, punk-styled stylistics, and the rhetorical repetition of “bayar polisi” (pay the police) create a provocative effect and reinforce the social critique being delivered. In terms of social cognition, the song reflects the public's mental model of the police as an institution that perpetuates social inequality rather than acting as a neutral protector. From a social context perspective, the song emerges from the reality of unequal power relations between citizens and authorities, serving as a symbolic form of resistance against hegemonic power structures. “Bayar Bayar Bayar” is thus not only a musical work but also an ideological expression with critical discourse value in advocating for social justice.  

This study investigates the complexity of contextual meaning in political texts posted by public figures on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Grounded in Halliday and Hasan’s theory of situational context and Searle’s speech act theory, the research analyzes how political utterances function through locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary acts. The data, drawn from tweets during the 2024 Indonesian presidential election period, were collected using documentation and structured observation methods. The findings indicate that political texts on X are highly layered, combining explicit facts with implicit criticism, ideological stance, and persuasive strategies. Through representative, expressive, and directive speech acts, public figures construct meaning that influences public perception, evokes emotional responses, and fosters political alignment. This study contributes to the understanding of digital political discourse by highlighting how pragmatic strategies shape the interpretation of meaning in online political communication.

Social media has become one of the main channels for disseminating information, including local news relevant to people’s daily lives. This study aims to analyze the reception of followers of the Instagram account @radarbogor.id in consuming local news. The research used a qualitative approach with a reception analysis method based on Stuart Hall’s theory, which classifies audience responses into dominant-hegemonic, negotiated, and oppositional positions. Data collection was conducted through in-depth interviews with three informants who actively follow the account. The results show that the followers tend to interpret the content from dominant-hegemonic and negotiated positions. They consider the @radarbogor.id account to be a reliable and up-to-date news source, though some still independently verify the information. Factors that influence positive reception include the informative nature of the content, visually appealing design, and simple language. However, criticism was noted regarding the poor audio quality in video uploads, which can affect audience engagement. This study concludes that social media followers are not passive consumers but active interpreters of media messages who critically evaluate the information they receive.

As one of the leading beauty influencers in Indonesia, Tasya Farasya has a big influence on her followers' purchasing decisions. This study discusses the communication strategies used by Tasya Farasya in building consumer trust through beauty product reviews on TikTok. Consumer trust in her reviews is a major factor in the effectiveness of marketing strategies involving her. Therefore, this study aims to understand how Tasya Farasya constructs convincing communication and builds credibility in the eyes of her audience. This study uses a qualitative approach with a phenomenological method. Data were collected through observation of product review content on TikTok and analysis of interactions in the comments column. In addition, interviews with several of her followers were conducted to determine their perceptions of communication style and the level of trust in the reviews given. The results of the study show that the communication strategies used include relaxed and easy-to-understand language, enthusiastic expressions and honesty in providing product reviews, both in the form of recommendations and criticism. In addition, the use of attractive visual elements and active interaction with followers through comments and response videos, Tasya Farasya has succeeded in building trust among her followers.

Traditional linguistics has been an important foundation in language studies for decades. However, with the development of the times and technological advances, traditional linguistics has faced challenges and criticism from various parties. The purpose of this study is to critically analyze traditional linguistics, identify advantages and disadvantages, and its relationship to culture as an inseparable part of traditional linguistics. This study uses a qualitative approach to deeply understand traditional linguistics through library research by analyzing various sources of literature relevant to traditional linguistics and various journals directly related to traditional linguistics. The results of the study indicate that traditional linguistics has advantages and disadvantages. It is hoped that this study can be a reference for other researchers who are interested in the topic of traditional linguistics to better understand language and culture.

The song "Bayar Bayar Bayar" by the band Sukatani describes a social critique of injustice in public services in Indonesia, especially those involving the police institution. Through simple yet meaningful repetitive lyrics, the song reflects the reality of people's lives who have to face additional costs to obtain public services that should be free or fair. In this analysis, the song is connected to Nancy Fraser's concept of social injustice, which shows the inequality in the distribution of social rights, as well as the instrumental theory of law which states that law is often a tool for certain interests. The aesthetic techniques used in the song, including repetition and hyperbole, strengthen the message of social criticism, making it a means of resistance to corrupt social structures. In the Indonesian social context, the song also serves as a reflection of society's distrust of public institutions and becomes a medium of expression that encourages collective awareness of broader issues of injustice.

This study aims to analyze online news discourse surrounding the polemic of the construction of the Pesut Mahakam Monument in Samarinda City using Teun A. van Dijk’s critical discourse analysis model. This model consists of three main aspects: text structure (macrostructure, superstructure, and microstructure), social cognition (how news is constructed by the media), and social context (how social, political, and economic factors influence news discourse). The research data were obtained from five online media sources: suaralkaltim.id, kaltimpost.id, tribunjatim.com, kaltimfaktual.co, and kompas.com.The analysis reveals that the media discourse tends to construct a narrative of criticism toward the monument's design, which is considered unclear in representing the Pesut Mahakam figure. In addition, public attention is also focused on the transparency of the project’s budget, which amounts to IDR 1.1 billion. The majority of the public and art observers tend to support the criticisms of the project, while the government emphasizes aspects of urban revitalization and artistic value.Through this analytical approach, it is found that the use of language in online news plays a significant role in shaping public opinion regarding urban icon development projects. This study also highlights the importance of public participation and budget transparency in urban development initiatives to prevent prolonged polemics in the future. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the media's role in shaping public perception and the necessity of transparency and inclusive governance in regional development planning.

This study aims to analyze the principles of social competence contained in Matthew 23:4-12 and how they are implied with the social competence of Christian Education Teachers (PAK Teachers) at SD Negeri 071095 Fukagambo. Matthew 23 provides criticism of the behavior of hypocritical teachers and in this context, is used as a basis for reflection to develop authentic social competence of teachers. The research method used is qualitative descriptive, with data collection techniques through literature secunder. The results of the study indicate that the understanding and application of the principles of Matthew 23:4-12 in the social competence of PAK Teachers at SD Negeri 071095 Fukagambo still vary. This study recommends the need for increased training and mentoring for PAK Teachers, as well as strengthening the understanding of social competence so that teacher errors according to Matthew 23 are not repeated.

This study investigates the impact of toxic parenting on the mental health of late adolescents in Benda Baru, South Tangerang. The background of this research is rooted in the increasing number of adolescent mental health issues linked to unhealthy parenting practices, including excessive control, verbal abuse, physical violence, criticism, and neglect. The study aims to analyze the underlying causes of toxic parenting from the perspectives of adolescents, parents, and other family members, as well as to identify its psychological, social, and behavioral consequences. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation involving late adolescents aged 18–22, their parents, siblings, and key community informants. The findings indicate that toxic parenting often originates from intergenerational trauma, unresolved stress, and socio-cultural pressures, leading parents to adopt coercive and destructive parenting strategies. These practices contribute to significant mental health problems among adolescents, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, difficulties in social adaptation, and tendencies toward self-harm. The study underscores the importance of preventive efforts through parenting education, psychosocial support at the community level, and the development of youth-friendly mental health services. The implications suggest that multi-sector collaboration involving families, schools, community leaders, and local government is essential to create a supportive environment that can break the cycle of toxic parenting and promote adolescent well-being.

The hashtag #KaburAjaDulu has become a trending topic on social media as a form of protest and criticism from the public regarding Indonesia's economic, political, and social conditions. Many people feel that the government is not pro-people in making policies and accommodating public aspirations. This phenomenon has emerged in response to various domestic issues, such as high education costs, limited job opportunities, and wages that are considered inadequate. The hashtag has become a symbol of disappointment toward economic conditions, social issues, and government policies that are seen as unfavorable to the public. Many netizens use #KaburAjaDulu on social media to share information about job vacancies, scholarships, and experiences of living abroad, as an invitation to seek a better life outside of Indonesia.

This thesis discusses the role of Achmad Mochtar, a prominent scientist from Indonesia, in the Tragedy of the Fatal Vaccine in Romusah that occurred during the Japanese military occupation, as reported by foreign press in 1944-1945. The aim of this research is to examine the reputation of Achmad Mochtar, who became one of the best scientists Indonesia has ever had, in facing the Tragedy of the Fatal Vaccine in Romusah, where victims died after being injected with a vaccine contaminated with tetanus toxin. The research uses a historical method with a social reconstruction approach based on data from newspapers such as De Telegraaf and HandelsBlad. The methods used in this paper include the historical method, which consists of data collection (heuristics), source criticism, interpretation, and historiography. The data used are mainly from newspapers like De Telegraaf and HandelsBlad, as well as supporting books and websites such as KITLV and www.delpher.nl/kranten, which have greatly facilitated the author in gathering historical sources related to this paper. This study explains that Achmad Mochtar was a doctor and scientist who strongly opposed the Japanese military occupation and the scenario created by the Japanese military in the Tragedy of the Fatal Vaccine in Romusah in 1944-1945. This research uses data analysis methods to examine foreign press reports related to the tragedy, with a focus on how foreign media depicted Achmad Mochtar’s involvement in the cause of the Tragedy of the Fatal Vaccine in Romusah in 1944-1945 and its impact. The results of this study are as follows: Achmad Mochtar, one of the best scientists Indonesia has ever had, became the subject of intense discussion regarding the tragedy he had to endure, the death of Romusah in 1944-1945. Various foreign newspapers, particularly De Telegraaf and HandelsBlad, focused on reporting the ambitious plans of the Japanese military in the creation of vaccines, which were actually intended by the Japanese military to be developed as biological weapons and tested to observe the effects before being used in the Greater East Asia War, which ultimately resulted in the fatal death of hundreds of Romusah in the Klender camp.

The jasmine flower, as the symbol of the national flower, holds the meaning of purity and sanctity for several customs and cultures in most parts of Indonesia. The technique used by the author in creating this final work is makrame and sewing techniques in the form of women's fashion. The sanctity of the jasmine flower became the inspiration for the author to create craft art in the form of makrame, while also introducing and realizing the creative idea of textile makrame craft art more widely to the public. Women's clothing with jasmine flower motifs using makrame techniques aims to educate the public more broadly about how makrame craft art can be translated into creative artistic ideas and even serve as a medium for social criticism. The method used by the author in creating this work includes: Preparation, elaboration, synthesis, realization of the concept, and completion. The results achieved in creating this makrame work are titled: Qurrota a’yun (Soothing to the Heart), Izzah (Purity and Nobility), Iffah (Sense of Modesty), Al-husn (True Beauty), Madrasatul ‘ula (The First School), Hawadah (Gentleness), Muhubbun Rahim (Loving and Compassionate).