YOGYAKARTA-In the process of learning, curriculum is the initial requirement because only by its existence, the learning process could begin or in other words, the curriculum as a series of teaching and learning activities designed as a guide for lecturing activities should be formulated in each study program. The curriculum is not only related to the concept of the learning process but also includes the learning process itself.
"In other words, the curriculum is a unity of theory and practice and later in the learning process, this unity of theory and practice is customized to the disciplines offered by the Faculty of Cultural Sciences that belongs to the humanity sciences," said the Dean, Dr. Ida Rochani Adi, SU, in the keynote speech of the National Seminar on Humanities Learning: Synergy Between Academic World and Public Interests, at the Koesnadi Hardjasoemantri Cultural Center, Thursday (3/3). This seminar is one of series of event of the Faculty’s 65th Anniversary.
Sciences of humanity, Ida added, are understood as disciplines that aim to understand the aspects underlying humanity itself, whether it is social, cultural, spiritual, or aesthetic aspects. With such broad scope, the humanity science ought to be highly compatible with any development in society because the discourse involves human beings who are also ever-changing.
"So when designing the learning of humanities, two things that should be emphasized are the expected levels of competence and outputs / outcomes" said Ida.
Ida asserts that to design the curriculum in the context of the humanities is not as simple as designing a curriculum in engineering because of aspects of the humanities requires us to not only transfer the knowledge but also at the same time encourage the student to become a better person by accentuating humanities aspects. Thus, students will not only capable and skilled, but also motivated to become person who accentuating their aspects of humanity.
"In this case the lecturer is the one who has to take the role cleverly so that in the future the students will become a good and useful person in society," Ida explained.
Other speaker, Hajriyanto Y. Thohari, Vice Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly who is also an alumnus of Arabic Literature class of 1984, said that without art and without humanities, politics will not be seen as a beautiful and enjoyable game, but just as power. Consequently, this kind of politic tends to be rough and justifies all sorts of ways to get in the power.
According to Hajriyanto, in the current circle of politics, humanities should contribute ideas to develop national political life more as a call of duty, not a profession, let alone as job centre that provides material benefits only.
"Humanities concept needs to be transformed and actualized in politics. The wisdom concept such as asceticism may be suitable to be applied in the present situation," Hajriyanto explained.
On the other hand, Binny Bintarti Buchory, B.A, S.S, M. Lib, activist from Initiative Association, on the occasion expressed that humanities will not provide practical solutions for various problems. Learning humanities provides sensitivity, awareness, and the ability to explore more about justice, equality and decency.
She cited the works of literature that have provided inspiration for the birth of social consciousness, like Uncle Tom’s Cabin and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn on slavery, Jane Austen’s works related to the role of women in patriarchal system, and Nadine Gordimer’s works about the atrocities of apartheid.
"Thus, humanities should later be combined together with other disciplines to influence the preparation of various policies," said Binny. Besides Hajriyanto and Binny, also present as a speaker in this seminar were Drs.Seno Samodra (Regent of Boyolali), and Drs.M.Wahid Supriyadi (Ambassador of RI to UAE).