Columbia College Tackles Hard Social Questions Via Critical Encounters Initiative
Arts College Plans Engagement with Issue of HIV & AIDS
in Classroom Experience and Public Programs
Chicago, IL - When students return to classes at Columbia College Chicago this September, they will begin a journey during which they will learn the real meaning of civic engagement. 'Most people view civic engagement as simply voting or volunteering,' says Dr. Amy Hawkins, Columbia English professor and the Critical Encounters Faculty Fellow. 'It is and can be so much more than that and the Critical Encounters initiative will give students the opportunity to understand social problems at a very deep level and provide them with some of the skills they need to take action and work towards constructive social change to help relieve those problems.'
An initiative of the Office of the Provost, the first cycle of Critical Encounters will grapple with the global issue of HIV & AIDS. During the first year, through both classroom initiatives and public programs, Columbia will examine the problem of HIV & AIDS, looking at the history and current status of the disease. Year two layers on the 'complicating factors' of Poverty and Privilege. During the third year the exploration focuses on possible redemptive approaches to large social issues such as HIV & AIDS.
'The Critical Encounters Task Force, under Amy's leadership, and the active support of the Center for Teaching Excellence, has worked tirelessly on this effort and I am deeply grateful for their commitment,' says Provost Steven Kapelke. 'Critical Encounters will serve our students very well, as they gain knowledge, increase their understanding of extremely complex issues and develop into engaged global citizens.'
Columbia chose to examine HIV & AIDS during the first Critical Encounters cycle for two specific reasons: There is a historical connection between HIV & AIDS and the arts community -- and faculty at this arts and communications college are invested in and committed to education and activism around the issue. Infection rates are rising at an alarming rate among 18-35 year old, predominately heterosexual, individuals. Education that speaks to the sensibilities of this age group is urgently needed.
Any social issue can be engaged with in this systematic way, Kapelke notes, adding that this broad-based institutional approach to a particular problem or theme is uncommon, if not unique in higher education. 'The entire college is on board to participate, from hands-on learning in the classroom and student organizational activities to public performances at our Dance Center and collaborations on art exhibitions with community partners, we are committed to making this a significant growth experience for our students, faculty and staff -- and for the community at large,' he says.
Faculty, departments and student organizations will be able to apply for $500 project grants to help support curricula or programs addressing the HIV & AIDS theme. Columbia, through the Center for Teaching Excellence, is partnering with Test Positive Awareness and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago to present public programming, including several art exhibitions.
Public Events this fall will include:
September 5 - October 13
Body Maps
Self-Portraits of South African Women Living With HIV or AIDS
Presented by Columbia's Institute for the Study of Women & Gender
in the Arts & Media
September 14-16
Bareback into the Sunset
A dance work by Peter Carpenter
Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago. Visit www.dancecenter.org
November 16 - January 5
Dress Up Against Aids
Dresses Constructed of Condoms by Brazilian artist Adriana Bertini
November 30 - January 10
Picturing Hope
Photos by International Children Affected by HIV & AIDS. Presented in partnership with AIDS Foundation of Chicago.
Critical Encounters website under construction.