Seminar Descriptions
The 1960’s: Passe or Visionary?
Instructor: Kent Alexander
This seminar class explores the social trends and politics of the 1960’s in order to see what value and impact they have for today’s world. Through this multi-hued exploration, students will not only gain an enhanced understanding of culture as a tool of social activism, but will also acquire a new awareness of the many stories this country and its citizens has to offer. Come prepared for lively discussions, small group work, You Tube explorations, and the occasional provocative film.
Biography:
Kent Alexander is a published author and occasional social activist. His plays (which deal with issues of identity, memory and gender politics) have been produced in the US, Canada and Spain. Kent is a survivor of the 1960’s and 21 years of living in NYC where he ran writing workshops, conflict resolution clinics and produced some 15 plays. Deeply committed to social change Kent is also the Director of Intercultural Programming here at Elms College.
Tolerance: Caring for Ourselves - We Care for Our Planet
Instructor: Carol A. Allan, ssj
We live in an ever changing world which requires of us a multifaceted approach to living, working and being. Much is asked of us as we advance into this changing world, yet some things remain constant. In this seminar, come discover the barriers that hold us back from being the best person possible; come learn about who we are, how we change and how to make our planet more sustainable. Learn what it takes to find ourselves and to create a future. We will learn about tolerance, hope, courage and faith while trying to understand bullying, intolerance, hatred and violence. Come explore the components of life that help us to maintain a peaceful sustainable society in which to live.
Biography:
Carol A. Allan, ssj has had a ministerial career ranging from the classroom to the courtroom. She holds Master Degrees in Human Development and in Theology of Justice and Peace. After 13 years in education, Carol joined the legal field working as a paralegal at Legal Services and then as a Victim Witness Advocate for the District Attorney. She was instrumental in establishing restorative justice programs and is committed to being active in her community. She has served on numerous boards and committees both in the civic community as well as in her religious community. Currently, Sr. Carol is the program director of Rutledge and Tranquility Houses, residential programs for women in recovery from drugs and alcohol
Crossing Cultures: Our Planet . . . Everyone’s Home
Instructor: Joyce Hampton
This seminar will explore environmental issues from an international perspective. We will investigate the concept of how to care for our world from a multitude of viewpoints, both local and global. We will consider diverse world views, how to increase our environmental awareness, and ways to ensure a better future for all through readings, films, a visit to the United Nations, interviews and lively discussion. Be ready for the journey with an open mind, an open heart, and an open map!
Biography:
Joyce Hampton is Director of International Programs, and Assistant Professor of English Language Learning at Elms College. She has traveled extensively throughout the world, and she strives to introduce all students to the value of diversity and multiculturalism. She also directs the exchange program with Kochi Women’s University in Japan. She is currently a doctoral candidate at UMASS exploring the topic of Latino Persistence in college.
Conviction of the Heart: Creating a More Peaceful Individual and a More Peaceful World
Instructor: Elaine Pinkos
The song lyrics by Kenny Loggins “one with the earth, with the sky, one with everything in life,” reflect the intentions for this course. For too long, humans have perceived themselves as separate from God, from nature and from one another. In this seminar, come and rediscover our connection to All things. We will strive to slow down our hectic lives, and focus our attention inward where our interconnectedness begins. With a new sense of inclusiveness, we will review behaviors that have harmed ourselves as well as our environment and we will examine ways in which we can improve them. Through meditations, readings, discussions, and projects we will explore how we can become more peaceful individuals while learning to walk more gently on the planet we call home.
Biography:
Elaine Pinkos is the Librarian for Federal Depository Library Program and the head of Technical Services for Alumnae Library.
Elaine received a Masters in Library Information Studies from the University of Rhode Island in 2000. Prior to working in the library, she was an insurance benefits administrator, customer service representative, and a paralegal. In 1985 Elaine received a paralegal certificate from the College of Our Lady of the Elms and in 1984 she received a Bachelor of Arts in History from Keene State College.
On a personal level, Elaine was a hospice volunteer for ten years where she learned a great deal about life, love and the wonders of the human spirit. She now fills her time with reading and walking her basset hound, Daphne.
Throwing Like a Girl: Myth or Reality
Instructor: Cheryl Condon
What does it mean to say that someone “throws like a girl”? Usually used in a derogatory context that refers to a boy or man with a weak throw and used to demean that same skill performance in women. It may seem harmless enough, but when examined in a larger cultural context of the portrayal of female athletes in popular films, television, and print media, we begin to see the negative stereotypes held by many people about women in sports and the dangerous effects it can have on self-esteem, careers, and educational opportunities. In this class we will view media examples such as A League of Their Own, Remember the Titans, and Hard Ball and look at issues such as stereotyping, heroes and role models, gender inequity, race and diversity.
Biography:
Cheryl R. Condon, the head softball coach at Elms College for the past 19 years, is the winningest coach in Elms College athletic department history. She also serves as a member of the college’s physical education department, is a member of the National Fast Pitch Softball Coaches Association, and currently serves on the NCAA Division III New England Regional Softball Committee. Ms. Condon earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education from Westfield State and her master’s in education from Elms College.
The Best Years of Your Life:
Instructor: Scott Hartblay
Many people talk about their college years as “the best years of their lives.” They also say that they wish they had done more to appreciate those years as they were happening. What about you? Are you ready for this wonderful opportunity and very special time of the human life span? You are about to enter upon a great personal adventure, and a time of boundless opportunities, the likes of which were never available to you before. Your next four years will be a time of personal and professional growth and discovery. This course is about ways of getting the most out of your college experience, about knowing yourself, and about finding a direction for what you want to do with the rest of your life.
We will examine the college experience through lecture, discussion, creative writing, works of literature and popular film. All aspects of this course will be related to the American experience, multiculturalism, the global perspective and social justice.
Biography:
Scott Hartblay is a Professor in the Social Work Department. He enjoys teaching internationally, particularly in Ireland and Poland. Professor Hartblay’s main interests have to do with social justice and human rights issues. He feels it is particularly important to utilize works of literature and film in his teaching. Also, at this point in his career, he has become increasingly involved in creative writing and has received a number of awards for his poetry.
There is a Crack in the Ceiling, Can it be Shattered?
Instructor: Kerry Calnan
Can the barriers in corporate America be broken? Can a woman or a minority run the country, a fortune 100 company or hold top positions in business or on campus? We will use film and other media sources to explore these questions. In this seminar we will use the Internet, handouts, class discussions, journals and small groups to explore the challenges the business world has waiting for us. We will share our stories in hopes to understand we are more alike than different.
Biography:
Kerry Calnan brings over 10 years of experience in corporate accounting and finance. Her wealth of business experience, derived from her years as controller for a multi-million-dollar division of ABB, a global leader in power and automation technologies, enriches and enlivens her students’ classroom experience. She serves as the faculty liaison to Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts, a program through which our business students volunteer to teach basic business concepts to students in grades K through 8. As the coordinator of accounting internships, she prepares students for careers within the accounting community.
Give a Hoot; It’s Not Just for the Birds!
Instructor: Bill Tyler
This first year seminar will focus on environmental issues ranging from endangered species to global warming. The class will be introduced to environmental education materials such as the award winning “Project Wild” as the students participate in various activities. Environmental films will be featured as well as “environmental heroes.”
Biography:
Bill Tyler graduated with a degree in Wildlife Biology and a master’s degree in education from UMass/Amherst. His interest in the environment stems from a life long enjoyment of the great outdoors. While in graduate school he worked as an intern in the education department of the Bronx Zoo, which he credits for his involvement in environmental work. He has worked numerous nature camps in the northeast and spent 12 years working for the Audubon Society in Rhode Island as a wildlife refuge manager and as the director of education. He currently teaches in the education and physical education departments and is the college’s first full time swimming coach.
The “power of one”!
Instructor: Kathryn Buckley-Brawner
One person, one life, one choice, one voice. It only takes one to make a difference. No matter what, where or who we are, the choices we make have the possibility to impact systems, people, and communities. At the root of change is the vision, desire and determination of one person. We will explore the dynamics of this “power of one” by looking at the stories of ordinary people that made a difference, examining the tools of personal power, and exploring the possibilities for each of us. Special emphasis for Fall 2008 will be on environmental issues.
Biography:
Kathryn Buckley-Brawner is the Director of the office of Peace and Justice, representing Catholic Relief Services and Catholic Campaign for Human Development, and Migrant and Refugee Services for Catholic Charities Agency, Diocese of Springfield. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Applied Theology from Elms College. Kathryn has spent much of her life living and traveling in Europe and Asia. Deeply committed to helping people realize their unique and essential role in the pursuit of social justice, she is co-developer and presenter of the Just Life experience for youth.
Engaged Citizenship: You CAN Make a Difference
Instructor: Anne Harrison
This seminar will focus on prominent national and global issues in the November 2008 elections. We’ll look at the candidates’ approaches to such things as the economy, education, global warming, defense, and healthcare. We’ll consider what it means to be an “engaged citizen” in a democracy, and we’ll organize a voter registration drive on our campus. By November, we’ll know where we individually stand on the issues; and hopefully, everyone will VOTE!
Biography:
Anne Harrison is an education professor with a strong commitment to excellence in education for all children of all families. Anne loves working with students from kindergarten through graduate school, especially listening to students express their ideas about complex social issues. She is an avid outdoorswoman who worries about the planet and looks to the next generation to make things better.
Saving the planet, one step at a time
Instructor: David “Goose” Gosselin
Many people do not realize that some of their personal actions leave a negative effect on our global environment. Worse yet, most do not realize that small changes, both individual and collective, would prevent this catastrophe from spreading. The fact is there are many simple things one can do to reverse some of the devastation we have caused on our beautiful planet. Explore the situation and your new options to save the planet, one step at a time.
Biography:
Dr. Gosselin is an educator, multimedia developer, and graphic artist. His research interests include graphic user interface design, digital graphic design perceptions of multimedia users, and computer strategy and board game design. He is committed to making all of us more aware of what we can do to care for our planet. |
