James Madison University

2012 I-Week Highlights

25 Degrees: A Carnival of Cultures

Photo Contest

Submit up to 3 digital photos taken outside the United States online. Photos must be received no later than Wednesday, September 12 5:00 p.m. Winning photos will be announced during the I-Week Photo Contest reception in Festival’s Prism Gallery and will remain exhibited until the end of October. Click here for more information.

Monday, September 24, 2012

International Bazaar & Jing Ping Band Performance
11 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Commons

The International Bazaar is a free event which will feature many vendors, music, and displays. Come expand your knowledge and perception of Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean by attending this unique bazaar. A music performance from a Jing Ping band will begin at noon.

And don't forget to bring a bit of money - this will be a great place to pick up gifts for your friends and family, or splurge on something for yourself! The following vendors and student groups, bringing items from around the world, are committed to attend the event:

Linda Leffel
Sue Dille Designs
Eve Catedral
Artisan’s Hope
Shehzeen Sumbal
Shama Singh
Oasis Art Gallery
Cosmic Earth
Fly from the Heart Creations
The Lady Jane
Indigo Moon Creations
Cythia Hunter's Study Abroad Program
Latino Student Alliance (LSA)
International Student Association (ISA)
Delta Upsilon

Come and celebrate with the JMU community and music from Dominica as we begin this year's International Week.

Cultural Sharing and Storytelling from Dominica

4 p.m., Taylor 405

JMU has a long standing history with the country of Dominica, primarily through the Social Work and Anthropology Departments. We are finally able to bring members of The Paix Bouche Jing Ping band from Dominica to JMU. They will be sharing stories and experiences about the Dominica culture. Come for an opportunity to learn more about the Dominica culture, JMU's on going relationship with Dominica and ask questions to the band members.

Madison International Cooking Demonstration
5:30 p.m., HOffman Hall

Join this cooking demonstration to improve your culinary skills, to learn a new recipe, to meet many other chefs and/or friends, or simply to taste some deliciously hot food… but no matter what, have an enjoyable time around the HOffman Hall kitchen counter!

"La historia de mi piel/The Story of my Skin" by Niña Yhared
7 p.m., Wilson Auditorium

Niña Yhared (www.yhared.com) is an internationally renowned performance artist based in Mexico City. Her performances are multi-disciplinary, incorporating painting, film, dance, story-telling, and poetry. La Historia de mi Piel is a visual metaphor for the skin and the female body as a synthesis of memory and history. Audience participation will be possible. Discussion to follow.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

"The Effects of Climate Change on Displacement and Migration" by Mr. Alex de Sherbinin
5:15 p.m., ISAT 136

Mr. Alex de Sherbinin is the Deputy manager of the NASA socioeconomic Data and Applications Center, Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CISIN), at Columbia University. He is a geographer whose research interests focus on the human aspects of environmental change at local, national and global scales. He will present on climate change as it effects displacement and migration with a focus on, and examples from, Central America and the Caribbean. Learn more about this exciting topic with an opportunity to ask your questions.

"Caribbean Women Critics in Conversation" by Sheryl Gifford
5:30 p.m., Taylor 405

Sheryl Gifford, who teaches Caribbean literature at Florida Atlantic University, has recently conducted interviews with West Indian women critics Evelyn O’Callaghan, Sandra Pouchet Paquet, and Elaine Savory. Those talks structure her survey of feminist literary criticism in the Anglophone Caribbean. These influential critics’ perspectives reveal how the emergence of Caribbean feminist criticism in the early 1990s has since shaped the production and interpretation of the region’s literature. Ms. Gifford welcomes audience interaction, so come learn about the literature and join the discussion.

The Paix Bouche Jing Ping Band
7 p.m., Transitions

The Paix Bouche jing Ping Band will combine the Jing Ping folk music, which originated on the slave plantations of Dominica, and Danse Bale dancing, for an engaging and interactive performance. The group will perform and teach the audience about the music and dance. Participation will be highly encouraged!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Photo Contest Unveiling
3 p.m. – 4 p.m., Prism Gallery, Festival

Photo contest winners will be announced. A reception will follow.

Through Our Eyes: A Student Panel
4 p.m., Taylor 405

This student panel will feature students from several countries in the "25 Degrees" and other individuals who have traveled or studied abroad in those countries. This is a way to learn more about the region from people with firsthand knowledge.

Debate
6:30 p.m., Wilson Auditorium

The James Madison University (JMU) Debate Society and Office of International Programs are excited to announce the 2^nd annual International Week (I-Week) Public Debate. The resolution for this year's debate is "students have an obligation to return to their home country after receiving their education elsewhere. The public debate follows the long-table format used in the JMU Madison Cup public debate tournament held every spring in Harrisonburg. The debate will feature three two-person teams affirming and three two-person teams negating the resolution. Following the debate, a discussion will take place and audience participation is encouraged. A prize will be awarded to the audience member with the best question or speech from the floor.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Study Abroad Fair
11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Grand Ballroom, Festival

Interested in going abroad? Come and learn about different study abroad programs, international internships, and scholarships available to you. JMU semester, short-term, and graduate program directors and representatives will be available to share their experience and to answer your questions. In addition, you will also have the opportunity to speak and learn about programs from other universities and providers.

I-Week Movie: Ir a la Escuela (Going to School)

5:30 p.m., Godwin Hall 338

"Richard Cohen produced and directed "Going to School" ("Ir a la Escuela"), a film which chronicles the school-going experiences of several disabled children of Hispanic descent in the Los Angeles School District. The film offers a unique perspective of both the child, and the parents who fought for their children’s inclusion into mainstream, regular education classes. The role of the parent as an advocate for both his or her own child and other children is especially emphasized, as well as the need for educators to become more aware of the particular challenges that students with disabilities face at school. The Latino emphasis on family involvement is also at the forefront of this excellent film." [Review found in the Proyecto Vision web site - http://www.proyectovision.net/english/news/03/school.html]

Caribbean Reflections
8 p.m., Concert Hall, Forbes Center

The Staunton Music Festival will present a selection of traditional and classical music from the Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico. The program will feature JMU music department faculty and will include a world premiere jazz composition by Chuck Dotas. Free and open to the public.

Friday, September 28, 2012

Closing Ceremony and JMU’s Steel Band
Noon – 1 p.m., The Commons

Come out to the The Commons to enjoy the lilting music of JMU’s Steel Band while you munch on a delectable selection of food typical of I-Week’s Carnival of Cultures. Free and open to the public

Salsa Dance (Lessons from 8 p.m. - 9 p.m.)
8 p.m., Grand Ballroom, Festival

Come enjoy an evening of dancing! Lessons will be provided at 8 p.m. unitl 9 p.m. Social dancing will follow. DRESS TO IMPRESS!! This event is co-sponsoer by oIP and Latino Student Alliance (LSA), as part of Hispanic Heritage Week. We look forward to you joining us!