International Week aims to share global stories
News
James Madison University’s Office of International Programs will present International Week 2014, Sept. 22–27. This year’s theme is “One World, Many Stories.”
“All of us have stories that have affected who we are and what we do in our lives,” said Jonathan Kratz, assistant director for international student success at JMU. “In sharing those stories, we learn about others and their experiences and develop a greater awareness of the world around us.”
The week kicks off Monday at 11 a.m. with an international bazaar on The Commons showcasing displays from around the world, vendors and music. Also on Monday, guest speaker Dr. Geoffrey Dabelko, director of environmental studies at Ohio University, will discuss environmental and human security issues in a talk titled “The Periphery Isn’t Peripheral: Acting on the Integration Imperative for Sustainability.”
On Tuesday, the Staunton Music Festival will offer a wide-ranging mix of musical traditions in the Concert Hall of the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts. The event will feature JMU music department faculty and students as well as the world premiere of a jazz composition by Dr. Chuck Dotas, director of jazz studies at JMU.
On Thursday, a poetry reading at Larkin Arts in downtown Harrisonburg will include a set list of poets followed by an open mic for participants to share their own poems that relate to the “One World, Many Stories” theme. The poetry reading is designed to complement the Furious Flower Poetry Conference being held at JMU Sept. 24-27.
Other events throughout I-week include a presentation on digital storytelling by JMU students who participated in the summer study abroad program in Urbino, Italy; a student debate on the benefits of globalization, hosted by the JMU Debate Society; the annual study abroad fair; a photo contest; trivia night; and a world cup soccer tournament.
A complete schedule of events, with dates, times and locations can be found on the JMU Internation Week page.
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Jordan Bogner ('15)
