Seems like it's been a busy first two weeks of teaching. Before I forget, I want to make note of the following forthcoming items for my Kirkwood Goal reporting as well as updating my c.v.:
1) I'll be presenting again for Constitution Day on September 17, 2015 about animal and land rights. I'll be discussing a few of the 'personhood' arguments associated with recent court cases, but mostly trying to raise awareness of the implications of our behaviors.
2) I'll be participating in Iowa City Free Lunch Project board meetings as a member this fall and for the next two years. I look forward to seeing how Kirkwood faculty, staff, and students can both serve and raise awareness (or even donations) for this program). It's possible donations could come via Table to Table and contributions made of excess food from the Iowa City Kirkwood Campus.
3) Our article, "Does Racial Isolation in School Lead to Long-Term Disadvantages? Labor-Market Consequences of High School Racial Composition" (Gamoran, Collares, Barfels) will be published in the January 2016 issue of The American Journal of Sociology.
4) After week 2, I am very pleased with how invested students have been sharing the articles and videos they are finding to apply sociological concepts. People have been mindful and paused to note the working conditions in China associated with the latest and greatest technology as well as the eventual problem of recycling said discarded technology. The ownership is empowering and the peer sharing is evoking much more attentiveness. Last but not least, students are asking questions about how they can change their lives and the world around them. As such, future assignments will continue to include reflective components where students can contact businesses, etc., to explain why they will or will not support certain products or manufacturing standards, etc.
5) I've also signed up for the 8th Annual Sustainability Conference in Dubuque October 6-7. I'm very excited as there are many presentations regarding the latest in eco-smart urban planning as well as a tour of efforts to restore the Catfish Creek Watershed given damage from industrial agriculture. I look forward to bringing back much to share with students and staff. I'm also pleased that most of the examples are regional, which makes the solar/biofuel, etc., presentations that much more relevant and accessible on campus as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment