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Critical Theory for Undergraduates! #1 Psychoanalytic Criticism

05/11/2025 WIB

On Friday, October 31, 2025, the English Language Studies Program (ELS) of Universitas Sanata Dharma (USD) held a public lecture titled Critical Theory for Undergraduates! #1 Psychoanalytic Criticism. The event took place in Room P.304, New Postgraduate Building, and featured Prof. Paulus Sarwoto, Ph.D., as the main speaker.

Prof. Sarwoto opened the session by introducing Psychoanalytic Criticism as a branch of modern literary theory that connects literature with the study of the unconscious. He explained that, unlike traditional literary analysis, critical theory aims not only to interpret texts but also to critique and transform society through the fusion of theory and practice.

The lecture revisited the ideas of Sigmund Freud and Jacques Lacan, focusing on how repression, desire, and the unconscious shape human experience and artistic expression. Prof. Sarwoto discussed how psychoanalytic theory can be applied to literature, such as Freud’s reading of Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Lacan’s interpretation of Kate Chopin’s The Awakening. Through these examples, he showed how characters’ inner conflicts reflect deeper psychological structures, including the Oedipus complex, defense mechanisms, and the concept of objet petit a—the unattainable object of desire that drives human longing.

Students participating in the public lecture were enthusiastic about joining the discussion and relating classical theory to modern literary and cultural works. This activity reflects the commitment of the English Studies Program to promoting interdisciplinary learning and fostering critical thinking skills through contemporary literary theories. The participants of this public lecture were not only from Universitas Sanata Dharma but also from several other universities in Yogyakarta, such as STBA LIA Yogyakarta, Universitas Respati Yogyakarta, and Universitas Sarjana Wiyata Tamansiswa. The presence of participants from various institutions reflects the great enthusiasm for the lecture’s topic and highlights the collaborative spirit among universities in broadening academic insights and fostering inter-campus networking.

This public lecture is part of the ongoing “Critical Theory for Undergraduates!” series, which will continue with other engaging topics. As a part of the Graduate Program in English Language Studies at USD, this lecture series also highlights the program’s three main areas of concentration: Literature, Applied Linguistics, and Applied Artificial Intelligence in Language Studies, which together emphasize an integrative approach to understanding language, culture, and human thought.

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