Monthly Archives: May 2015

IDES Lecture – Religion in Ancient Mediterranean Comedy

Erin Moodie, assistant professor in the Languages and Cultures Department at Purdue University, will present “Religion in Ancient Mediterranean Comedy: Character, Context, and Content” on Tuesday, May 19th at 3pm in the Beckman Auditorium.

This talk will provide a broad introduction to the religious contexts of Greek and Roman comedy, as well as the comic genres’ depiction of deities and religious practices. From the Dionysia festival in Athens to Jupiter’s deus ex machina in Plautus’ Amphitryon, religion is central to ancient comedy, providing structure, atmosphere, and significance to events on and off the stage. Sponsored by Greek and Roman Studies.

History of Cycling in Illinois Focus of Lunch and Learn

Bicycling was the most popular sport in America from 1890 until 1930, and cycling had a direct impact on social progress in race, class and gender.

Illinois Wesleyan University Information Literacy Librarian Chris Sweet will explore this largely forgotten history, particularly Illinois’ importance as home to several bicycle manufacturers. Sweet will present “The History of Cycling in Illinois” May 14 as part of the Lunch-and-Learn series offered in partnership by McLean County Museum of History, Illinois Wesleyan and Collaborative Solutions Institute.

Sweet is currently working on a scholarly history of cycling in Illinois and will discuss some of his preliminary findings during the presentation. In a blog post, Sweet writes that cycling’s popularity as a sport around 1900 was rivaled only by baseball. “Bicycle racers were well-paid celebrities and races routinely attracted thousands of spectators. The social elite were members of cycling clubs with private clubhouses.”

Yet cycling’s popularity cut across class lines. Sweet writes that the Memorial Day weekend Pullman Road Races in Chicago in the 1880s were reported to have attracted 100,000 spectators. And in terms of equality, the bicycle gave women “a greater measure of independence and contributed to important advances” in women’s rights. In addition, “a few great early bicycle racers were African Americans who advanced racial equality through sport,” Sweet writes.

The session begins at 12:10 p.m. in the Governor Fifer Courtroom, McLean County Museum of History. Attendees are encouraged to bring a brown-bag lunch to the free event.

 

By Mallika Kavadi ’15

A 10-man bicycle (circa 1900). Photo courtesy of  chicagology.com

A 10-man bicycle (circa 1900). Photo courtesy of chicagology.com

Intercultural Communication Workshops

stella_smOn Friday, May 8, Stella Ting-Toomey from California State University, Fullerton will be on campus to present and lead discussions on intercultural communication. Please see below for descriptions of the two sessions and access to related reading materials.

Ting-Toomey’s visit is sponsored by the Mellon Center, International Office, and Office of the Provost. Please direct any questions to Associate Dean of Curricular and Faculty Development Lynda Duke or Director of the International Office Stacey Shimizu.

Morning General Session
Open to staff and faculty
10-11 a.m., Beckman Auditorium, The Ames Library

Understanding the Culture Shock Experience and Communication Style Patterns of International Students on Campus

This general session will introduce the key concepts related to the roller-coaster culture shock experience of international students in adjusting to the U.S. campus. Factors that shape the culture shock experience and the potential communication gaps among the international students, faculty, and staff will be highlighted. Suggestions for managing the culture shock experience of international students productively will be offered.

Afternoon Faculty Workshop Session
1-2:30 p.m., 201 State Farm Hall
(Please RSVP to melncntr@iwu.edu by Wednesday, May 6 if you plan to attend)

Facilitating the Intercultural Adjustment Process of International Students with Enhanced Communication Style Strategies and Practices

This faculty workshop will examine the underlying cultural values that shape potential communication style differences in international students in the classroom. Interactive exercises will be used to deepen awareness, empathy, knowledge, and skill sets in faculty-international student interaction. Recommended practices for serving international students with enhanced communication competencies will be provided.

Suggested reading materials (3 chapters, listed below) areavailable on Moodle:

– Bennett, J. M., & Bennett, M. J. (2004). “Developing Intercultural Sensitivity: An Integrative Approach to Global and Domestic Diversity.” In D. Landis, J. Bennett, & M. Bennett (Eds.), Handbook of Intercultural Training (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
– Ting-Toomey, S., & Chung, L. (2012). “What Is the Connection Between Verbal Communication and Culture?” Understanding Intercultural Communication (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
– Ting-Toomey, S., & Chung, L. (2012). “What Are the Ways to Communicate Nonverbally Across Cultures?” Understanding Intercultural Communication (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.

In addition, the Handbook of Intercultural Trainingand Understanding Intercultural Communication are both available on reserve in The Ames Library.