Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber to Attend Research Seminar in Dakar, Senegal

Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber will participate in a two-week research seminar in Dakar, Senegal, focusing on West Africa’s history and cultural connections with the diaspora. This seminar, funded by CAORC, aims to enrich the educational approaches of community colleges and minority-serving institutions. Participants will develop projects to promote global perspectives on their campuses and contribute articles for educational resources.

Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber, Ph.D., the director of the Division of Humanities and Criminology at UDC’s Community College, has been selected for a two-week research seminar in Dakar, Senegal, from January 3-21, 2024. This seminar is part of the CAORC-WARC 2024 Faculty Development Seminar, managed by the Council of American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC) in partnership with the West African Research Center (WARC).

The program is competitive and features visits to notable sites such as Goree Island, Toubacouta, and Saint-Louis. CAORC provides fully funded overseas seminars aimed at faculty and administrators from U.S. community colleges and minority-serving institutions to expand global perspectives in education, enhancing students’ cultural awareness and critical skills. Each session hosts 12 to 15 participants.

The seminar, titled “West Africa and the Diaspora: Continuities and Transformations,” will encompass lectures, site visits, and discussions focusing on Senegal’s history, culture, arts, economic development, and political context. It will emphasize Senegal’s spiritual diversity, religious tolerance, transnational movements, and their societal impact, particularly among youth.

Participants are expected to devise and implement a project promoting internationalization at their campuses within a year post-seminar. They must submit a project report alongside relevant curriculum or documentation to be included in CAORC’s Open Educational Resources platform. Additionally, a short article for the CAORC blog, Field Notes, is required within three months after the seminar.

Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber’s selection for the CAORC-WARC research seminar represents a significant opportunity to enhance cultural perspectives within U.S. educational institutions. The seminar will provide comprehensive insights into West Africa’s rich heritage and its global connections, aiming to foster both personal and professional development among participants.

Original Source: www.udc.edu