Bandung, UPI – The Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program, Faculty of Language and Literature Education (FPBS) at Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI), held a guest lecture titled “HOTS in Legend Reconstruction to Strengthen Disaster Literacy” on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. The session featured Prof. Dr. Sri Setyarini, M.A., App. Ling., affectionately known as Prof. Rini, a linguistics and literature expert from FPBS UPI.
Held in Classroom 01, 2nd Floor, the event ran from 08:40 to 10:20 AM. It was attended by students enrolled in the Children’s Literature course taught by Dr. Yostiani N. A. Harini, M.Hum. According to Dr. Yostiani, the session was crucial to raise students’ awareness about critical thinking through literary works while embedding disaster literacy values by creatively reconstructing traditional legends.
“Literature is alive, beautiful, and full of expression. Through literature, we can express our anxieties, boredom, even our desire for change,” said Prof. Rini.
She emphasized literature as a tool to spark Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS), particularly in analysis (C4), evaluation (C5), and creation (C6).
In her presentation, Prof. Rini related literature to everyday life in a simple yet meaningful way. One example was: “Why is bala-bala (a type of fritter) called bala-bala? Because it’s round in the front like a bala-bala.” This humorous analogy encouraged students to think critically about language and meaning. “People with HOTS don’t just choose, they can explain the reason behind their choice,” she added.
Prof. Rini also shared how traditional legends like Sangkuriang and Rawa Pening can be used to promote disaster awareness. “From folklore, we can understand the cause-and-effect of disasters and recognize the importance of environmental responsibility,” she explained.
Moreover, Prof. Rini stressed that literacy should not stop at reading texts - it must also involve critical thinking and problem-solving. “Stories are not just tales. They must have direction, purpose, and move readers to think and feel.”
This activity aimed to inspire and strengthen disaster literacy through legend reconstruction. It also served as an inspiration for students to develop children’s literature as a critical, creative, and contextual educational medium.
(Putri Naufal Nurotul Zannah & Dr. Yostiani Noor Asmi Harini, M.Hum.)