Transformations of Human Identity in the 21st Century
Organized by the School of Arts and Humanities
Every year at Ferrum we have a theme that is integrated into a series of lectures, events, a film series, and many of our courses. In the academic year 2011-2012 we will examine the ways in which we are reinventing our identity as human beings in an age of post-humanity. As technology is more and more insinuated into our lives, we are changing the ways in which we express ourselves artistically, politically, and spiritually. This Theme will explore our relationship to technology, science, and mass communication, among other things.
Some of the questions that our Theme events will address:
1. How does our changing world change how we see ourselves?
2. How does technology affect how we express ourselves and how we communicate with others?
3. What are the ethical implications of scientific exploration?
4. What is the effect of new technologies on artistic expression?
5. How have our roles and responsibilities changed as we become more global citizens?
6. What is our relationship to people in other cultures and how is it being impacted by technology?
7. How do we maintain or change our own cultural traditions in the face of globalization?
8. What is our responsibility to those in need in a rapidly changing world that is leaving many behind?
New Media (February Events)
Tuesday, February 7, 7:00 pm Blue Ridge Mountain Room
Speaker: Dan Dustin
Organized by Dr. Jasmine Goodnow
Dan Dustin is a professor, writer, and storyteller. Dr. Dustin is the author of Wilderness Within and his writings have contributed greatly to our understanding of the park and recreation movement. He has authored or edited six books, seven book chapters and over 75 articles in journals and professional magazines. His book, The Wilderness Within, has won critical praise fro his peers. Currently Dr. Dustin is a professor and chair of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism in the College of Health at the University of Utah. He is a past president of the Society of Park and Recreation Educators (SPRE and the Academy of Leisure Sciences. In 1993 he received the National Recreation and Park Association's Literary Award; in 1994 he was made an honorary lifetime member of the California Park Rangers Association for his contributions to the literature of outdoor recreation and planning policy; and in 2001 he received the SPRE Distinguished Colleague Award. In addition to his administrative duties, Dr. Dustin teaches a variety of courses in recreation, park, and leisure studies. In his free time, he enjoys bicycling, backpacking, and fly-fishing. In his interactive talk "A Walk in the Park" Dr. Dustin will address issues of the use of technology in the wilderness.
Tuesday, February 14, 7:30 pm, Panther's Den
Film: Valentine's Feature Splice, 2009 Vicenzo Natali
Organized by Dr. John Kitterman
Participants: Meagan Hodges and Cody Wright
Genetic engineers Clive Nicoli and Elsa Kast hope to achieve fame by successfully splicing together the DNA of different animals to create new hybrid animals for medical use.
February 16-21
Marginal Arts Festival Event: Zierle and Carter Performance/Workshop
Details TBA
For more information contact Prof. Jeff Dalton or Prof. Matt LaRose
These performing artists or Live artists from the UK will conduct a workshop with students and a performance piece using non-traditional materials. Having these artists will be in cooperation with other regional institutions and as a part of the Marginal Arts Festival in Roanoke. Through this, Ferrum College will be designated a Marginal Art Festival venue. It will provide an exciting opportunity for Ferrum students to work with international artists. A component of this year’s theme has to do with the impacts of newer technologies and how we express ourselves as artists through those. These artists use various materials in their performance work including objects like helium-filled plastic bags, ice, etc. Zeirle and Carter performed at the Taubman Museum last year. http://www.zierlecarterliveart.com/