A series of activities and events aims to help students “learn, engage and appreciate” issues tied to various types of diversity among people.
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From poverty simulations to poetry readings, both inside and out of the classroom, Elon University students this month will have an opportunity to discover and discuss what makes every person unique as Winter Term 2013 focuses on human differences.
The “Learn. Engage. Appreciate.” diversity-themed Winter Term programming reflects a university commitment to global engagement, said Alison Morrison-Shetlar, dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences.
“We have many speakers and performances coming to campus, each with a different perspective on diversity,” Morrison-Shetlar said. “Our goal is to have full houses at the events.”
For a full listing of events, visit the Winter Term 2013 web page.
Some of the highlights include:
Michael Sidney Fosberg
Thursday, January 10, at 7:30 p.m.
Whitley Auditorium
Fosberg performs a solo adaptation of his memoir about family, race and identity. Fosberg offers workshops on social-equality: theory and practice, hidden bias and micro-inequities, and identity formation.
Carl McIntyre
Monday, January 14, at 7 p.m.
LaRose Digital Theatre, Koury Business Center
McIntyre, an actor and salesman, suffered a stroke and was told his recovery would plateau after a year and a half. Instead, through extensive speech, physical, and occupational therapy, McIntyre defied the experts and has continued to make progress for five years. McIntyre will show a 40-minute film he stars in titled “Aphasia” and then give a short humorous and inspirational presentation.
Kip Fulbeck
Wednesday, January 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Whitley Auditorium
Fulbeck is an artist, spoken word performer, author and filmmaker exploring multiracial identity. Part poet, part comedian, and part pop culture critic, Fulbeck moves past “diversity” as a conversation only about race, instead inspiring audiences to tackle the larger questions of who we are as individuals, how we define ourselves, and how we engage with those around us. Fulbeck teaches art at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and has written several books, including “Part Asian, 100% Hapa” and “Mixed: Portraits of Multiracial Kids.” He is also an avid surfer, guitar player, ocean lifeguard, and pug enthusiast.
Cloud Nine
January 18, 19, 21, 22 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, January 20, at 2 p.m.
Black Box Theatre
Cloud Nine both parodies and spoofs the Victorian Empire and its rigid attitudes, especially toward sex and gender. There is Clive, a British aristocrat; his wife Betty (played by a man); their daughter Victoria (a rag doll); Clive’s son Edward (played by a woman); and Joshua, a native servant who knows what is really going on.
Faculty that wish to include activities on the Winter Term calendar can send information to Morrison-Shetlar at amorrison4@elon.edu with a subject heading Diversity WT 2013 event.