Liberal Education Institute Information

   

Dear Colleague:

 

The General Education Program invites you to participate in its sixth annual Liberal Education Institute. LEI offers an unusual opportunity to talk about the value of a liberal arts education, how we promote it here at JMU, and what kinds of specific challenges or changes we currently face. Past themes have included vocationalism, diversity, and civic engagement. This year, we move in a new direction and explore the topic, "Putting the Arts Back into the Liberal Arts." As in the past, each session has been designed to foster thought-provoking group discussion. In addition, each is a discrete meeting so individuals can feel free to attend one, two, or all three as their schedules allow.

Session I, May 22th: The Value of the Arts

            10:00-12:00, Taylor 400; Lunch 12;00-1:00, Taylor 405

            Mr. Ben Cameron, Program Director of the Arts for the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

 

Cameron is a nationally-recognized advocate for the arts and brings to his work a unique perspective shaped by his previous work as executive director of the Theatre Communications Group, as director of theatre programs for the National Endowment for the Arts, as an artistic director at several repertory theatres, and as a professor of drama (he currently teaches at Columbia).

 

Session II, May 29th: A Pentecost for the Arts at JMU

            10:00-12:00, Festival 2106/CR6; Lunch 12:00-1:00, Highlands Room

            Dr. Kate Stevens, Director Madison Art Collection

            Article: "A Pentacost in Trafalgar Square"

The Madison Art Collection is not only a repository for the Arts, it is a place of inspiration for our students and of renewal for our faculty.  Collection works are as diverse as the people who come to use them, and like those people, they speak in many voices.  In this session you will discover the various ways the Madison Art Collection impacts those who live and work at JMU.  We will discuss Neil MacGregor's "A Pentecost in Trafalgar Square", situating the collection's mission within the larger museum world.  Finally, we will tour the collection where you can experience thousands of years of human history for yourself.

 

Session III, June 5th: Why Music Matters

            10:00-12:00, Music 142; 12:00-1:00 Lunch

            Dr. Chuck Dotas, Director of JMU's Jazz Ensemble

This session will explore the role music plays in the life of a liberally educated person.   All of the students in your classes are musicians.  Whether they are music majors, weekend amateurs, or strictly private, singing-in-the-shower performers, music is a pervasive element of all of our lives.  

How can we utilize this common bond in our teaching?  How can we illuminate non-musical principles, and make connections with our students, through the incorporation and discussion of music?  Friday's panel will include Brian Cockburn, Head Music Librarian at JMU, who will discuss various new technologies (including on-line resources) that are available to every JMU student and teacher. 

Please note the different locations for each session. There is no registration fee, but space is limited. To request a reservation for the session(s) you plan to attend, please use this form and send it to Lori Smilowitz by Friday May 1, via email at gened@jmu.edu or via campus mail c/o University Studies, MSC 1104.

We hope to see you there!

 

 

Liberal Education Institute 2009 Reservation Form

 

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Yes! I plan to attend the following:

 

_____ Session I, May 22th   _____ Lunch, May 22th  

 

_____ Session II, May 29th _____ Lunch, May 29th  

 

_____ Session III, June 5th  _____ Lunch, June 5th  

 

Name (Please print) _________________________________________________