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Rap and hip-hop music are important forms of expression for today's youth. Crossing racial and ethnic lines, these genres have significantly influenced popular cultures throughout the world. Rap and hip-hop music truly appeal to a mass audience. In this workshop, we will examine the spread of hip-hop culture from black communities in the United States to various parts of the globe. Learn how and why rap music began. What does rap and hip hop music mean today? How is it interpreted by racially and ethnically diverse others? Participants in the workshop will gain a greater understanding of how the language and images of rap and hip hop music shape discussions of race and gender, both locally and internationally. Dr. Celeste A. Fisher is the Diversity Institute Visiting Scholar at Misericordia University for 2008-2009, where she teaches courses in communication and sociology. Fisher has published articles in the areas of film audiences, race and representation, identity politics and urban studies. She has also served as a special issue editor for The International Journal of Media and Cultural Politics (Intellect Books, 2005) on a project titled, "Black Women's Politics through Cultural Expression," which examines the ways in which black women have creatively articulated their political views within the context of various social and cultural movements. Her book, Black on Black: Urban Youth Films and the Multicultural Audience, focuses on the role of film in the meaning-making process (Scarecrow Press, 2006). Dr. Fisher is a graduate of Syracuse University (B.S.), the State University of New York at Buffalo (M.S.), and New York University (Ph.D.). Of Special Interest To: Communications, Music, and Fine Arts faculty and students. All those from NEPDEC member institutions are welcome. This is a great opportunity for those who have not done so, to visit a multicultural church and meet the congregation. October 29, 2008Policy Design with Diversity in Mind: A Conceptual Framework9:00am-2:00pmGUARD Insurance Group, Wilkes-Barre, PA
Mr. Richardson addresses issues of diversity and sensitivity with regard to policy development, implementation and administration. We will evaluate some current institutional policies to assess their effectiveness in managing for diversity, sensitivity, and micro-communications. Participants will also design a fictional policy during the workshop, acting as policy practitioners. This workshop is highly interactive! Mr. Richardson has worked in secondary and higher education for the past fifteen years. He has served as an administrator, teacher, trainer, educator, counselor and advisor. Some of Richardson's work experiences include Director of Assessment (Reading Area Community College) and Director of Educational Opportunity (Pennsylvania State University, Berks Campus). Mr. Richardson holds a B.A. in Music and a M.Ed. in Curriculum Development and Pedagogy from Kutztown University and is a doctoral candidate in Higher Education Leadership, Organization and Policy at Widener University. Target Audience: Organizational policy makers. November 3, 2008A Chronology of Negro Spirituals: What were they really saying?"7:00-9:00pmNew Covenant Church, Wilkes-Barre, PA
Mr. Wilson's workshop/performance will outline the history of Negro spirituals from slavery to the present day, and discuss the influence music had on communication strategies for the Negro slave. There will be a discussion of music as a cultural voice, particularly for a violently oppressed population. As points of discussion are brought to light, Mr. Barry will perform examples of the repertoire. Mr. Barry Wilson is a native of Rochester, NY, and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Wilberforce University. He is currently a master of science degree candidate in Community Leadership at Duquesne University. Wilson's parents are from the southern United States, with African and Native American ancestry. His love of diversity education, and interest in the Black American musical experience have been cultivated by growing up in a richly diverse cultural tapestry, at home, in school, in church, and in his home community. Mr. Wilson has performed as the lead vocalist for the internationally acclaimed contemporary Christian men's vocal group Acappella. He has performed for enthusiastic audiences in the United States, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Switzerland, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, and Jamaica. He has served as a youth counselor, substitute teacher, program specialist, and house parent for the Milton Hershey School. He has also served as a director of youth development for a community agency. Wilson is presently living in Hershey, and serves as a Student Program Leader at MHS. This is a special opportunity to hear an acclaimed scholar and artist perform songs in the setting they were intended to be heard, the Black church. Of Special Interest To: American History, Communications, and Music faculty and students. All those from NEPDEC member institutions are welcome. November 4, 2008Christian Privilege8:30-11:30amWilkes University, Savitz Multicultural Lounge
Contemporary Christian privilege in the U.S. is a result of a founding myth and a 300-year historical tradition of Christian hegemony and domination over non-Christian religions. The ramifications of this ongoing tradition of religious privilege present a challenging social justice issue in current American society. In higher education, as well as in public schooling, it is an area for teachers and administrators to explore, from the perspectives of their own and their students' religious identities and experiences. Such exploration can aid in designing classroom curricula and school policy that acknowledge the pluralism and diversity of students from non-Christian religious communities within the U.S. Of Special Interest To: Human Resources and Student Services personnel, Religion Studies and History faculty and students, those involved in campus ministries. November 4, 2008Knowing Our Students in Social Justice Oriented Classrooms3:00-6:00pmWilkes University, Savitz Multicultural Lounge
Having background knowledge about our students' prior familiarity with course content is generally helpful in any teaching situation. However, when the content involves issues of social justice, to which students bring strongly held opinions and beliefs, this knowledge becomes essential. Beyond their differences of social identity, age, or experience, students bring into the classroom a wide range of knowledge and opinion on issues such as gender roles, racial stereotypes, normal ability, or appropriate sexual behavior, learned as part of their everyday socialization. A major reason that we as teachers want to know our students better is to be able to match our curricular goals, and the instructional activities that support them, to our students' needs. We want to teach to current levels of awareness, expectations, and information, using appropriate and realistic learning goals. With these goals in mind, this seminar explores several frameworks that help us know our students better, and ways of assessing their responses and levels of understanding prior to, as well as during, our classes or workshops. Of Special Interest To: Faculty members at all NEPDEC member institutions. Dr. Maurianne Adams teaches Social Justice Education graduate classes on foundations of social justice education and social identity development. She has co-edited and written chapters on pedagogy, on religious oppression, and on knowing one's students for Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice (Routledge, 2nd edition, 2007). Adams is co-editor of Strangers and Neighbors: Relations Between Blacks and Jews in the United States (University of Massachusetts Press, 2000), and Readings for Diversity and Social Justice (Routledge, 2000). She is editor of the journal Equity & Excellence in Education and consults widely on social justice pedagogy, faculty development, religious oppression, and social justice and diversity issues on college campuses. Dr. Adams holds a Ph.D. from Indiana University. November 6, 2008College Student Social9:00pm-1:00amKing's College, Wilkes-Barre, PA
Why stay home? Dance the night away while you network with students from other colleges and universities participating in NEPDEC activities. Enjoy the food, music, and meet your colleagues at other schools in northeastern Pennsylvania! Of Special Interest To: College Students from NEPDEC Member Institutions. November 8-9, 2008NEPDEC Student Multicultural Leadership ConferenceKeystone College, La Plume, PA
Participants will learn about and practice leadership skills for a pluralistic society. As globalization changes our worldviews and ways of functioning organizationally and interpersonally, new leadership strategies are required. Participants will reflect on personal and leadership experiences, examine leadership theory, and participate in practical skill-building activities that make us better leaders, able to respond more effectively to the challenges and opportunities created by a diverse multicultural society. Of Special Interest To: All high school, college, and university students at NEPDEC member institutions, particularly those interested in developing leadership skills and enhancing their career potential. December 4, 2008Communication Styles and Diversity: How Personality Shapes Social Interaction9:00am-12:00pmLuzerne County Community College
Designed to address how personality and attitude structure not only the way you communicate but also how you interpret other's communications, this workshop is divided into three segments. During the first segment, each participate will describe their communication style and identify those with whom you have difficulty communicating. After administering and interpreting an instrument similar to the Myers Briggs Personality Type Inventory, we will investigate how each of the sixteen personality types is perceived by its opposite. Last, we will explore how your attitude about various classes of individuals (for instance, administrators, co-workers, peers, customers, men and/or women, or people from diverse ethnic, racial, national, or religious backgrounds) influences communication, and what you can do to foster better communication. Dr. Gwendolyn Stevens received her Ph.D. in Psychology from University of California at Riverside. She was a tenured faculty member at Missouri State University and recently retired as a Full Professor of Psychology at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut, where she was also the Director of Academic Resources. In addition to extensive experience as an institutional researcher and therapist, Dr. Stevens has published many books and articles in professional journals. Her books include a two volume "Women in Psychology" text, and most recently, "Personality and Bereavement: Weaving a Life." She currently teaches part-time at Armstrong Atlantic State University and is a certified Yoga instructor. Target Audience: Psychology and Communications faculty and students, Managers. NEPDEC members. |