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This study aims to analyze the meaning of interfaith marriage in the film Komang using Ferdinand de Saussure's semiotic theory. This theory emphasizes the relationship between signifier and signified as well as the concepts of langue and parole to explain the interaction between social systems and individual expression. The results of the analysis show that the visual, verbal, and symbolic signs in the film represent the clash between love and belief. Scenes such as the initial meeting at a cultural festival, family rejection, and symbolic marriage become a form of negotiation between social values and personal freedom. This film affirms that interfaith marriage in Indonesia can only be accepted through compromise with the religious norms of the majority, but still presents a message of tolerance through symbols of cultural harmony. Therefore, the film Komang is not just a romantic narrative, but a social reflection on the relationship between religion, culture, and love in a pluralistic society.

This study examines Banten Lama as a political symbol that shapes regional identity in Banten Province. As the former center of the Banten Sultanate from the 16th to the 18th century, the site holds not only historical and religious significance but also functions as a symbolic space influencing political legitimacy and the construction of collective identity in contemporary Banten society. Using a qualitative approach with a case study design, this research analyzes how local government, political elites, and communities negotiate the symbolic meanings of Banten Lama through ritual practices, public discourse, and revitalization policies. Data were collected through literature review, non-participatory observation, visual documentation, and examination of policy documents. The findings reveal that Banten Lama operates as a symbolic arena that intertwines historical narratives, Islamic spirituality, and political interests. The government employs symbols of the former sultanate to construct moral legitimacy and a religious political image, while local communities interpret Banten Lama as a spiritual space and a source of economic livelihood. Although the use of historical symbols strengthens regional identity, it also gives rise to symbolic politics that often dominate public space without being accompanied by substantive policy outcomes. This study concludes that the governance of Banten Lama requires participatory and culturally grounded approaches to ensure the sustainable preservation of its historical and social values.

Demonstrations demanding the dissolution of the House of Representatives by 2025 highlight a crisis of public trust and serve as a key moment in Indonesia's political landscape. These protests have not only symbolic significance but also lead to elite repositioning, the temporary dismissal of several members, and the cessation of policy that increased benefits. This study examines how the crisis has prompted political institutional reconstruction and the role of civil society in influencing change. A descriptive qualitative approach was used, including literature studies, analysis of academic literature, official documents, and media reports. The findings indicate that actions by the House of Representatives, such as the rotation of Commission III leadership, member deactivation, and rejection of benefit increases, were primarily reactive to public pressure. The discussion reveals that while these actions reduce crisis escalation, they are cosmetic and do not address structural issues like legislative accountability and budget transparency. In conclusion, the 2025 protests provide an opportunity for civil society to engage politically outside elections, but the institutional changes made are short-term. Fundamental reform can only occur if civil movements remain consistent and if political parties and the government commit to reform.

The transformation of political communication in the digital era has fundamentally altered the ways political parties and their affiliated wing organizations interact with party cadres and the broader public. In Indonesia, party wing organizations such as Angkatan Muda Pembaharuan Indonesia (AMPI), Angkatan Muda Partai Golkar (AMPG), and other youth wings increasingly rely on social media as the primary medium for political cadre formation. However, this shift has not only created new opportunities for participation but has also generated structural problems, including the dominance of symbolic communication, the personalization of political elites, and the subordination of ideological discourse to the algorithmic logic of digital platforms. This article aims to critically examine how the digital political communication of party wing organizations operates within the context of Indonesia’s representative democracy, the extent to which it constitutes a deliberative public sphere for young cadres, and how such practices affect the quality of political cadre formation. Employing a critical paradigm and a transdisciplinary qualitative approach, the study integrates Habermas’s theory of the public sphere, Aeron Davis’s evaluation of democratic communication, and the concept of the mediatization of politics. The findings indicate that the digital communication of party wings tends to function primarily as an instrument of symbolic consolidation and loyalty mobilization rather than as an arena for dialogical political education. Consequently, digital cadre formation produces representational identities more than critical political consciousness. This article therefore recommends a reorientation of the digital political communication of party wing organizations toward deliberative and emancipatory models in order to strengthen internal party democracy and promote substantive political regeneration.

This research aims to understand the representation of cooperation between the older and younger generations and work ethic in the film "The Intern" by Nancy Meyers. This research uses a descriptive qualitative approach with Charles Sanders Peirce's semiotic analysis in the form of a meaning triangle, namely sign, object, and interpretant. Signs are in the form of visuals, dialogue, and symbols. The object is what the sign represents, and the interpretant is the understanding derived from both the sign and the object. In this study, the researcher carried out an analysis by selecting each scene that shows generational differences, the emergence of cooperation, and the work ethic applied in the film The Intern. We collected data through library research, which included relevant books, articles, and scientific writings. The data collection techniques used are interviews, observations, and documentation. The results of this research show that this film succeeded in presenting generational differences not as obstacles but as a way to work together well and develop. This film demonstrates work ethic values such as hard work, responsibility, honesty, and cooperation. This research concludes that the film The Intern is not only entertaining but also provides many social messages about cooperation and work ethic.

This study aims to identify and analyze forms of social pathology in Haruki Murakami’s The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. Employing a qualitative content analysis approach, the research examines how historical violence and trauma, abuse of power, and existential alienation are represented through the novel’s narrative structure, characters, and symbolic elements. The findings indicate that these three categories are interconnected, forming a systemic pattern of social dysfunction rooted in institutional failure, historical memory, and individual psychological pressure. The depiction of war highlights collective trauma, while both physical and symbolic forms of domination illustrate distorted power relations. Furthermore, the motif of alienation reflects the psychological consequences of social instability and disrupted interpersonal bonds. The study aligns with previous research on trauma and deviance in Murakami’s works and strengthens the view of literature as a critical medium for reflecting modern social conditions.

State institutions play a primary role in governing and exercising power within a country. Indonesia, as a unitary state with a republican system, regulates the state's institutional structure through the 1945 Constitution, which serves as the supreme legal basis and guideline for state administration. The function of state institutions is to ensure that all aspects of government are implemented in accordance with the principles of law, justice, and public welfare. The state is not only considered a legal entity but also a social entity with specific functions and logic. The state's objectives are directed at balancing government power and citizen rights and accommodating the interests of individuals and the wider community. Following the amendments to the 1945 Constitution, Indonesia's institutional system underwent significant changes with the establishment of independent institutions that strengthen democracy, transparency, and accountability. Understanding the state's foundations, the requirements for formation, the form and system of government, and the relationships between institutions is crucial for maintaining Indonesia's constitutional order. Furthermore, public respect for state symbols and institutions contributes to strengthening unity and political stability, and realizing the ideals of a sovereign and prosperous nation.

This study analyzes the stage identity practices of the dangdut music group Sri Mules as a  cultural branding strategy in Pantura dangdut performances. In contrast to common dangdut performance patterns that position the singer as the primary visual focus, Sri Mules adopts a performative approach that foregrounds accompanying musicians as the main visual actors through the use of unconventional costumes and collective stage actions. Employing a qualitative approach with a case study strategy, this research draws on visual documentation of performances circulated on social media during the group’s active phase (2020–2021), complemented by semi-structured interviews and reflective observations. Data were analyzed using the interactive model proposed by Miles and Huberman, informed by performance theory (Schechner) and the concept of cultural branding (Holt). The findings indicate that Sri Mules’ stage identity is constructed and reproduced through consistent visual deviation and collective performativity, functioning as a strategy of symbolic differentiation in the Pantura dangdut performance landscape. This study highlights the role of accompanying musicians as active agents in shaping the visual identity of dangdut performances.

This study is motivated by the position of traditional music as a cultural element that not only functions aesthetically but also plays an important role in constructing social meaning, symbolism, and collective identity within a community. This article aims to examine the social meaning and function of Tagonggong music in the Tulude tradition of the Sangihe community in Londoun Village as a diaspora community. The research uses a qualitative method with a cultural ethnographic approach through participatory observation, unstructured interviews with traditional elders, Tagonggong players, and community leaders, as well as documentation. Data analysis was conducted descriptively and interpretatively using Alan P. Merriam's theoretical framework on the function of music. The results of the study show that Tagonggong music has a multidimensional function in the Tulude tradition, including symbolic communication, emotional expression, representation of cultural identity, reinforcement of social norms, and social integration and cohesion within the community.Tagonggong not only functions as an accompaniment to ceremonies, but also as a sacred musical instrument that connects the relationship between humans, ancestors, and God, while also marking the space and time of the ceremony. This finding confirms that Tagonggong is a living cultural archive that preserves the collective memory and ethnic identity of the Sangihe community in exile. Implicitly, this research enriches Indonesian ethnomusicology studies by positioning traditional music as an active social text in maintaining the cultural structure and solidarity of the communities that support it.

The Andun Offering Dance is an important tradition in the traditional wedding ceremony of the Serawai people in South Bengkulu. It contains the main cultural symbol, Sekapur Sirih, which not only functions as a ritual complement but also has a philosophical meaning that represents the noble values ​​of the local community. This study aims to uncover the symbolic meaning of Sekapur Sirih in the Andun Offering Dance and explain the request to strengthen social relations between families united through the traditional wedding procession. The research method uses a qualitative descriptive approach through literature studies, observations, and interviews with traditional leaders of South Bengkulu. The results show that Sekapur Sirih contains values ​​of respect, welcome, purity, harmony, and prayer for the bride and groom. In addition, the existence of Sekapur Sirih functions as a cultural communication medium that maintains the identity of the Serawai people amidst social change. These findings preserve the importance of preserving traditional symbols in traditional ceremonies as an effort to maintain the continuity of local culture.

This study examines the effect of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) ratings on firm performance and the moderating role of ESG rating disagreement within the Indonesian capital market. Using a panel dataset of 63 companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange from 2021 to 2023 and employing a fixed-effects regression model, the analysis measures firm performance with Tobin’s Q, ESG ratings from Refinitiv Eikon, and ESG rating disagreement as the standard deviation between Refinitiv and Bloomberg scores. The empirical results indicate that ESG ratings do not have a statis-tically significant effect on firm performance, and ESG rating disagreement does not significantly moderate this relationship. These findings suggest that ESG-related information has not yet been fully internalized into firm valuation in Indonesia, with current ESG practices perceived as largely symbolic rather than substantively integrated into corporate strategy. The study concludes that both ESG ratings and rating disagreement fail to serve as effective mechanisms for enhancing firm performance in the Indonesian context, reflecting the early-stage development and compliance-driven nature of ESG adoption in emerging markets.

This study reinterprets Kakawin Panca Dharma through Carl Gustav Jung’s analytical psychology, viewing kalepasan (liberation) as a symbolic manifestation of the poet’s (kawi’s) inner transformation through the process of individuation. While previous studies have treated Kakawin Panca Dharma as a theological or ethical text, this paper argues that the discourse of kalepasan reflects archetypal structures of the psyche—shadow, anima, and Self—within the creative process of the kawi-wiku. Through a qualitative hermeneutic method integrating philological reading and Jungian symbolic interpretation, this research uncovers how motifs of silence (sunya), detachment (putus), and purification (wimala) embody stages of psychological transformation. The findings reveal that Kakawin Panca Dharma serves as a “temple of language,” where poetic creation functions as an act of active imagination, integrating conscious and unconscious dimensions of the self. Liberation thus signifies not only spiritual transcendence but psychological wholeness—the realization of the Self archetype.  

This study explores how Eric Carle’s children’s storybook The Very Hungry Caterpillar creates depth in its narrative through visual components and tactile elements despite its limited text. Using a multimodal analysis approach, this study highlights the texture of the collage, the use of symbolic colors, and the die-cut holes as elements that can be felt. The results of this study show that the physical design of this book is not merely decorative, but functions as a key narrative guide that helps children understand the concepts of growth and change independently. The die-cut holes have a specific role as a physical symbol of hunger, allowing young readers to interact directly with the story. The combination of the book’s materials and visual storytelling has proven to transcend language barriers, making it an effective literacy tool for beginner readers. This research confirms that visual storytelling intertwined with the physical form of a book can convey complex philosophical themes more effectively than narratives composed solely of dense text. The success of this book confirms that tactile and visual elements are important literary tools in the world of children’s literature.

This study is grounded in the growing concern over the weakening of students’ critical literacy skills and cultural awareness in higher education, particularly in the context of rapid digitalization and the dominance of global discourse. Local cultural traditions, especially those rooted in Maumere society, have not been optimally utilized as meaningful academic literacy resources in Indonesian language learning. This research aims to explore how Maumere cultural traditions can be integrated as sources of critical literacy to strengthen students’ interpretative, analytical, and reflective abilities. Employing a qualitative research approach, data were collected through classroom observations, in depth interviews with students and lecturers, and documentation of learning materials in Indonesian language courses at Universitas Muhammadiyah Maumere. The findings reveal that traditional texts, narratives, rituals, and oral expressions from Maumere culture contain rich linguistic, ethical, and symbolic meanings that support the development of critical reading and writing skills. The integration of cultural texts encourages students to engage more deeply with academic discourse while simultaneously reinforcing local identity and cultural sensitivity. This study implies that culturally grounded literacy practices not only enhance academic competencies but also contribute to the preservation of local wisdom within higher education learning frameworks.

The development of digital technology has significantly transformed music consumption and marketing strategies in the creative industry. The shift from physical media to digital platforms, especially short-form video-based social media like TikTok, has created a new ecosystem that emphasizes interactivity, community participation, and organic music distribution. TikTok allows users to incorporate song snippets into creative content, positioning music as both entertainment and a symbol of digital identity. This shift reveals that music popularity is now primarily driven by recommendation algorithms and user-generated content rather than traditional promotion. This study adopts a qualitative descriptive approach with phenomenological analysis to explore the relationship between music consumption behavior and marketing strategies on TikTok. Findings indicate that algorithms act as digital curators, influencing audience preferences, while user participation accelerates the viral spread of songs through challenges, remixes, and content reproduction. Effective music marketing strategies must be data-driven, trend-responsive, and capable of leveraging users' emotional and social engagement. TikTok thus serves not only as a distribution platform but also as a space for constructing global popular culture. This study contributes to digital media scholarship and offers practical implications for designing sustainable marketing strategies in the ever-evolving digital ecosystem.

This study examines the negotiation of self-loss through the denial defence mechanism in Rosé’s album Rosie (2024) using a Freudian psychoanalytic approach. Popular music is positioned as a cultural text that articulates psychological conflict and emotional vulnerability, particularly within toxic romantic relationships. Employing qualitative textual analysis and close reading, this research focuses on three selected songs namely Number One Girl, Toxic Till the End, and Stay a Little Longer to explore how denial operates as an ego defence in managing emotional pain and relational trauma. The findings reveal that denial functions through three interrelated forms: affective denial, cognitive denial, and symbolic denial. Rather than serving merely as a temporary protective mechanism, denial operates continuously to sustain emotional attachment, delay confrontation with loss, and gradually erode the subject’s autonomy and identity. This process results in a negotiated form of self-loss, in which the subject remains psychologically functional while experiencing progressive fragmentation of the self. By reading the album as a coherent psychological narrative rather than isolated songs, this study contributes a novel conceptual framework for understanding the dynamics of self-loss and denial in popular music, while extending psychoanalytic approaches to the analysis of contemporary female musical texts and affective trauma.

This study examines the Ka’Bawakng dance as a cultural–religious expression of the Dayak Kanayatn community that has undergone a deepening of meaning through inculturation within Catholic liturgy. Originating in the Baliatn ritual, Ka’Bawakng dance initially functioned as a medium of healing and cosmological communication that affirmed the interconnectedness of human beings, nature, and Jubata. In its encounter with the Catholic faith, the dance was incorporated into the Eucharistic celebration as an offertory dance through symbolic reinterpretation grounded in the principles of inculturation articulated by the Second Vatican Council. This research employs a hermeneutical approach using participant observation, in-depth interviews, and documentary study, analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings indicate that Ka’Bawakng dance is not treated as a merely decorative liturgical element, but is understood as a language of prayer engaging the body, cultural memory, and the spirituality of the faithful. This integration deepens liturgical participation, strengthens the religious–cultural identity of the Dayak Kanayatn community, and creates a constructive space for dialogue between ancestral traditions and Christian faith. Nevertheless, sustaining the inculturation of Ka’Bawakng dance requires ongoing pastoral accompaniment to ensure fidelity to Church liturgical norms while respecting local cultural values.

This study explores the profound impact of teacher personality competence on student character formation through a descriptive narrative lens grounded in the sociology of education. Education is not merely a technical transfer of knowledge but a complex social process where the teacher acts as a pivotal moral agent and role model. By synthesizing classical sociological paradigms—Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Symbolic Interactionism—with contemporary empirical evidence, this article argues that a teacher's personality is a dynamic social construct that shapes the "hidden curriculum" and the overall school climate. The narrative analysis reveals that traits such as empathy, integrity, and social justice are not just individual attributes but essential tools for moral socialization and the internalization of collective values. The study finds that teachers who embody these virtues foster a sense of social belonging and ethical responsibility in students, effectively bridging the gap between individual identity and societal expectations. The article concludes that strengthening teacher personality competence is a strategic imperative for developing a resilient and morally grounded generation, recommending integrated professional development that emphasizes the teacher's role as a moral authority in the 21st-century social landscape.

The documentary film “Dari Rasi Jadi Mimpi: Langkah Menjaga Tradisi” was an audiovisual work that portrayed the life and traditions of the Cireundeu Indigenous Community in Cimahi, West Java, with a focus on the consumption of Rasi (cassava rice) as a symbol of food security and cultural identity. The background of this work was based on concerns regarding the gradual marginalization of local traditions due to modernization and changing consumption patterns. This project aimed to document and visually represent the cultural values of the Cireundeu Indigenous Community through an ethical and authentic documentary approach. The production stages consisted of preliminary research, field observation, visual concept development, filming, and post-production. During the production process, the author acted as the Director of Photography (DoP), responsible for visual planning, camera blocking, composition, and lighting strategies adapted to the indigenous environment and technical limitations on site. The results indicated that a visual approach prioritizing authenticity, the use of natural lighting, and visual ethics successfully strengthened the documentary narrative without diminishing its aesthetic value. In conclusion, this documentary functioned not only as an audiovisual work but also as a cultural archive, an educational medium, and a sustainable tool for promoting local culture.

Pedestrian is one of the most important public spaces for urban areas. On the border of Muara Enim city has a pedestrian that attracts attention, namely the pedestrian welcome intersection kepur. Simpang Kepur pedestrian has a border gate that is the center of attention and the first impression when entering the city of Muara Enim so that it has the opportunity as a face or symbol of the identity of the city of Muara Enim. Visually, the existence of pedestrians and gates at the Kepur intersection looks quite attractive but functionally it is not in accordance with the characteristics of pedestrian activities on the pedestrian so that research is needed to rearrange the previous design so that the function of the pedestrian becomes even better. The method used is qualitative through observation based on facts and activities in the field. Analysis based on the impression of place and activity on the pedestrian. The results obtained that there is a need to change the appearance of the color processing so that the pedestrian becomes more alive, need to keep the pedestrian so that there is no loss or damage, the need for guardrails or vegetation / view barrier plants in the area behind or beside the pedestrian, rearrangement of plants that can absorb dust and can absorb noise, and arrangement of street furniture, namely visual recommendations for a wider bus stop design, replace permanent seating, replace permanent trash.