NUR SAKTININGRUM (FACULTY OF CULTURAL SCIENCES)

TEACHING INTERCULTURAL ISSUES THROUGH NETFLIX SERIES GREENLEAF : UNVEILING WOMEN'S POSITIONING AND ROLES IN AFRICAN AMERICAN RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS : MULTILINGUAL AND MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION

Teaching Intercultural Issues Through Netflix Series Greenleaf : Unveiling Women's Positioning And Roles in African American Religious Institutions Nur Saktiningrum, S.S.M.Hum saktiningrum@ugm.ac.id Feculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada Yogyakarta, Indonesia For African American society religious institutions have a very significant roles in shaping their spiritual, social and political stability. In this process women have shown their outmost contributions in sustaining the institutions from the very beginning. Throughout the history, their contributions mirroring broader social and cultural dynamic of the African American society. Women have served as spiritual leaders, preachers and other religious specialist roles within the institutions. Yet, their success in facing barriers and fighting against discrimination that can hinder their religious positions and roles is not always appreciated properly. In many religious institutions these women could not exercise their religious authority and leadership. Their instrumental roles have been underestimated and their positions have been questioned. Employing Gaye Tuchman’s theory on the symbolic annihilation, this study aimed to unveil women’s positioning and roles in African American religious institutions and placing Netflix series Greenleaf June 21, 2016 until August 11, 2020, as the material object. By focusing on the series which consists of 5 season and 60 episodes, this study is expected to gain a deeper understanding of African American gender dynamics, power structures and social/political classes of these women. This study is conducted within the paradigm of American Studies and the findings can be a source of learning across religious institutions.

Saktiningrum is a lecturer in the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. She is teaching English and American literature and culture. She has attended and presented papers in various national/international conferences, She has published articles and book chapters. Currently she is the Vice Dean of Academic and Students Affairs