Languages and Cultures

West Chester University

Dr. Jerome Williams
109 Main Hall
West Chester, PA 19383
Phone: 610-436-2700
Fax: 610-436-3048
Jerome Williams


International Festival: October 1 - 4, 2012

It’s all about celebrating diversity and learning different cultures

2012 THEME:
Embracing Diversity

The 2012 International Festival will celebrate the sixth anniversary of West Chester University International Day. Established by WCU in cooperation with Mayor Richard Yoder in October 2006, the International Festival foregrounds the achievements of the various ethnicities of our multicultural society, as well as the urgent need for understanding and cooperation among the peoples of the world. To this end, a broad spectrum of events featuring music, dances, food, and presentations will highlight the contributions of Latin Americans, Russians, North Africa and Middle Easter countries among others. These events aim to provide activities and information that will foster understanding among various cultural groups while enhancing our appreciation of uniqueness and difference. (See this year's program flyer)

 

PROGRAM

MONDAY, OCTOBER 1


11:30 am: IFest Opening – WCU President Greg Weisenstein
Venue: THE QUAD

International Folk Dances

  • WCU Dance Team under the direction of Gretchen Studlien-Webb
  • La Raspa – Mexico                    
  • Mayim – Israel                     
  • D’Hammerschmiedsg’selln – Germany                  
  • African Dance                           
  • Alunelul – Romania              
  • Kavelis – Lithuania
  • Troika – Russia                       
  • Electric Reel – Celtic Line Dance     

Informal Dance Party following  the performance – all welcome to participate!     

4:00-6:00 pm: International Film Screening  and Discussion: Monsier Lazhar (Canada, 2011)

Venue: SYKES BALLROOMS B & C  

Presented by Professor Michel Sage, Department of Languages & Cultures

 

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2

2:00-2:20: Quick Study Abroad Fact Session

Venue: Main Hall 214

Presented by Dr. Maria Van Liew, Department of Languages & Cultures

7:00-8:00: The Immigration Controversy: A Round Table Discussion

Venue: SYKES THEATRE

Moderated  by Dr. Miguel Ceballos, Department of Anthropology

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3

7:00-8:00: International Folk Dance Workshop                                                                

Come learn some new moves from around the world!

Venue: SYKES BALLROOMS B & C

Presented by Gretchen Studlien-Webb        

8:30-10:30pm: Presidential Debate Watch

Join us for a live airing of the first Presidential Debate!

Venue: SYKES THEATRE

Presented by Kevin Dean & David Lavasseur

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4

11:00am-2:00pm: INTERNATIONAL LUNCH  - Open to all!

International treats & a free “passport”!    

Venue: SYKES BALLROOMS

 

OPEN LECTURES

Learn about the world – come to an Open Lecture!

In celebration of IFest, these faculty members invite you to their classrooms! 

Free and open to all. (No tests, no homework.)

 

MONDAY, OCTOBER 1

1:00-3:00 

Dr. James Jones (History): 
"The Empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay"

VENUE:  Main Hall 314

3:00– 4:15 

Dr. Lisa Ruchti (Sociology & Women’s Studies): 
"Fear, Fraud, and Frank Complexities:  The Influence of Gender on Human Trafficking"  

VENUE:  Old Library 202

 

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2

8:00 – 9:15

Dr. Jessica Schedlbauer (Biology):

"Humans & the Environment:  Land Use & Land Cover Change"

VENUE:  Merion Science Center 112

11:00 – 12:15 & 12:30 – 1:45
Dr. Maria Van Liew (Languages & Cultures):

"International Remakes:  Who’s Copying Whom?"

VENUE:  Main Hall 214

12:30 – 1:45

Dr. Gerard Callanan (Management):

"International Management Seminar" 

VENUE:  Anderson 205

 

12:30 – 1:45 

Dr. Cheryl Wanko (English):

"Unbowed  by Wangari Maathai (Kenyan Nobel Prize Winner)"

VENUE: Main Hall 316

 

12:30 – 1:45 
Dr. Greg Turner (Biology):

"Humans and the Environment: Environmental Perceptions"

VENUE:  Merion Science Center 113

2:00-2:20

Dr. Maria Van Liew (Languages & Cultures): 

"A Quick Study Abroad Fact Session"

VENUE:  Main Hall 214

4:15-5:30  

Dr. Virginia da Costa (Art):  

"Art of the Americas before 1300"  

VENUE:  E.O. Bull 040

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3

2:00 – 2:50  

Dr. Thomas Brophy (History):
"Ay Carmela & The Spanish Civil War"

VENUE:  Anderson 103

4:15-7:00

Dr. Cheryl Wanko (English):

"Literature of the Enlightenment"

VENUE:  Mitchell Hall 200

6:00-9:00

Dr. Virginia da Costa (Art): 

"The Golden Age of Spain"

VENUE:  E.O. Bull 040

 

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4

8:00 – 9:15

Dr. Jessica Schedlbauer (Biology):

"Humans & the Environment: Freshwater Resources"

VENUE:  Merion Science Center 112

9:30-10:45 

Dr. Peter Loedel (Political Science):

"Understanding Globalization: Multiple Perspectives"

VENUE:  Ruby Jones Hall 204

 

9:30-10:45 

Dr. Frederick Patton (Languages & Cultures):

"Russian Film: Ivan Turgenev’s A Nest of Gentlefolk"

VENUE: Mitchell Hall 300

 

9:30-10:45 & 11:00-12:15 

Dr. James Jones (History): 

"The Origin of the Frankish Nationalism, as explained by Gregory of Tours in his work, "The Life of Clovi."

VENUE:  Main Hall 313

 

11:00-12:15 

Dr. Frederick Patton (Languages & Cultures): 

"Russian Culture – Prince Vladimir and the Introduction of Christianity in Russia."

VENUE:  Merion Science Center 113

12:30 – 1:45 

Dr. Greg Turner (Biology):

"Humans and the Environment: Environmental Worldviews"

VENUE:  Merion Science Center 113

Sponsors for the WCU 2012 iFEST

  • Office of the President
  • Office of Development
  • Department of Languages and Cultures
  • College of Arts and Sciences
  • Undergraduate Studies

For more information, please contact Ana Sanchez (asanchez@wcupa.edu)

in the Department of Languages and Cultures.