Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber has been chosen to participate in a two-week research seminar in Dakar, Senegal, organized by CAORC and WARC. The seminar will focus on various aspects of Senegalese culture and the West African diaspora, while encouraging faculty to implement projects that foster internationalization at their institutions.
Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber, Ph.D., director of the Division of Humanities and Criminology at the University of the District of Columbia’s Community College, has been selected to attend a prestigious two-week research seminar in Dakar, Senegal, from January 3 to January 21, 2024. This opportunity is part of the CAORC-WARC 2024 Faculty Development Seminar, a competitive initiative organized by the Council of American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC) in partnership with the West African Research Center (WARC).
This seminar will encompass visits to notable locations such as Goree Island, Toubacouta, and Saint-Louis, enhancing participants’ understanding of West African culture. CAORC provides fully-funded seminars aimed at faculty and administrators from U.S. community colleges and minority-serving institutions, seeking to broaden educational perspectives and foster global engagement skills among students through transformative learning experiences.
Entitled “West Africa and the Diaspora: Continuities and Transformations,” the seminar will showcase a mix of lectures, site visits, panel discussions, and film screenings that explore Senegal’s historical, cultural, economic, and political aspects. Special emphasis will be placed on the country’s spiritual diversity, religious tolerance, and the implications of transnational movements for young people.
Participants are anticipated to design and execute a project aimed at enhancing internationalization at their home institutions within one year of the seminar’s completion. Upon finishing their projects, they will submit a report and share relevant educational materials on CAORC’s Open Educational Resources platform. Additionally, each participant is required to contribute a short article to the CAORC blog, Field Notes, within three months following the seminar.
The selection of Dr. Jowers-Barber for the upcoming CAORC-WARC seminar highlights the importance of providing faculty with international experiences that can enrich their teaching practices. This initiative aims to cultivate a greater understanding of global cultures and enhance academic curricula through innovative projects that focus on internationalization.
Original Source: www.udc.edu
