Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber, director at UDC’s Community College, will attend a funded two-week research seminar in Dakar, Senegal. The CAORC-WARC seminar focuses on West Africa’s history, culture, and diaspora connections. Participants will develop projects for their campuses and contribute to CAORC’s Open Educational Resources.
Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber, Ph.D., the director of the Division of Humanities and Criminology at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) Community College, has been selected to participate in a two-week faculty development research seminar in Dakar, Senegal from January 3 to 21, 2024. This prestigious opportunity is part of the CAORC-WARC Faculty Development Seminar, a highly competitive program offered by the Council of American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC) and the West African Research Center (WARC).
The seminar will include visits to several historically significant locations such as Goree Island, Toubacouta, and Saint-Louis. With a focus on enhancing global perspectives, CAORC aims to empower faculty and administrators from U.S. community colleges and minority-serving institutions through fully funded overseas seminars. Each seminar typically accommodates 12 to 15 participants.
Titled “West Africa and the Diaspora: Continuities and Transformations,” the seminar will feature a blend of lectures, site visits, panel discussions, and film screenings exploring the history, culture, arts, economy, and politics of Senegal. Key themes include the connections between West Africa and the diaspora, as well as an examination of Senegal’s spiritual diversity and religious tolerance.
Additionally, the seminar will address the impact of growing transnational movements on society, particularly on youth. Participants are expected to develop a project aimed at increasing internationalization on their campuses, which must be implemented within a year of completing the seminar. Each participant is required to submit a project report and share relevant materials for inclusion in CAORC’s Open Educational Resources site.
Moreover, within three months of the seminar’s conclusion, they must contribute a brief article for the CAORC blog Field Notes, detailing insights and outcomes from their projects.
Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber’s selection for the CAORC-WARC Faculty Development Seminar in Dakar, Senegal, highlights a significant opportunity for professional growth and cultural exchange. This seminar aims to broaden academic perspectives and enhance educational practices at U.S. community colleges. Participants are expected to develop impactful projects that promote internationalization and share their findings through documented resources, fostering further engagement in global educational initiatives.
Original Source: www.udc.edu
