Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber Selected for Research Seminar in Senegal
Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber, director at UDC’s Community College, is selected for a research seminar in Dakar, Senegal from January 3-21, 2024. The CAORC-WARC Faculty Development Seminar aims to broaden participants’ global perspectives. Activities include site visits and discussions about Senegal’s culture and its diaspora, with participants expected to develop projects for their campuses afterward.
Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber, Ph.D., who serves as the 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, taking place from January 3 to January 21, 2024.
The CAORC-WARC 2024 Faculty Development Seminar is a competitive program organized by the Council of American Overseas Research Centers in conjunction with the West African Research Center. Participants will have the opportunity to visit significant sites including Goree Island, Toubacouta, and Saint-Louis, enriching their experience and knowledge of the region.
This initiative by CAORC provides fully funded overseas seminars aimed at faculty and administrators from U.S. community colleges and institutions serving minorities. The overarching goal is to equip educators with a global perspective to enhance students’ cultural understanding and to cultivate essential skills such as critical thinking, communication, and leadership. Each seminar will accommodate between 12 to 15 participants.
The seminar, titled “West Africa and the Diaspora: Continuities and Transformations,” will encompass lectures, site visits, panel discussions, and film screenings centered on Senegalese history, culture, arts, economy, and political life, particularly the links between West Africa and its diaspora.
A significant aspect of the seminar will be the exploration of Senegal’s spiritual diversity and religious tolerance, alongside the analysis of emerging transnational movements and their effects on society, particularly on youth. Participants are required to develop a project aimed at enhancing international awareness on their campuses, which is to be initiated within a year after the seminar and documented for CAORC’s Open Educational Resources site.
Additionally, participants must contribute a brief article for the CAORC blog, Field Notes, which is due within three months of the seminar’s conclusion. This aspect emphasizes the expected contributions of participants to the academic community following their seminar experience.
In summary, Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber’s participation in the CAORC-WARC 2024 Faculty Development Seminar represents a significant professional opportunity aimed at expanding educational perspectives on a global scale. Through immersive experiences, participants will be equipped to enrich their institutions with insights gained from their engagement with Senegal’s diverse culture and contemporary issues. Ultimately, the seminar’s focus on creating impactful projects will foster enhanced cultural awareness and understanding among students.
Original Source: www.udc.edu
