Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber Selected for Distinguished Research Seminar in Senegal

Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber has been selected to attend a two-week research seminar in Dakar, Senegal, from January 3-21, 2024. Organized by CAORC and WARC, this seminar aims to enhance understanding of West African culture and its diaspora, featuring site visits, lectures, and discussions. Participants are expected to implement campus projects following the seminar.

Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber, Ph.D., who directs the Division of Humanities and Criminology at the University of the District of Columbia’s Community College, has been selected to participate in a prestigious two-week research seminar in Dakar, Senegal, scheduled for January 3-21, 2024.

This seminar, organized by the Council of American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC) in partnership with the West African Research Center (WARC), is part of the CAORC-WARC Faculty Development Seminar program, which is highly competitive. Activities will include visits to historical sites such as Goree Island, Toubacouta, and Saint-Louis.

Fully funded by CAORC, the seminar aims to enhance faculty development at U.S. community colleges and minority-serving institutions, providing them the tools necessary to cultivate a global perspective among students. Notably, each seminar accommodates 12 to 15 participants.

Titled “West Africa and the Diaspora: Continuities and Transformations,” the seminar will encompass lectures, site visits, panel discussions, and film screenings focused on Senegal’s history, culture, and politics, highlighting the connections between West Africa and the diaspora.

A distinctive aspect of the seminar will address Senegal’s spiritual diversity and religious tolerance, as well as the effects of transnational movements on society, particularly concerning youth.

Participants are tasked with creating and implementing a project aimed at fostering internationalization on their campuses within a year following the seminar’s conclusion. They will also submit a report detailing their project and contribute curriculum resources to CAORC’s Open Educational Resources site.

Additionally, participants should prepare a short article for CAORC’s blog, Field Notes, due within three months post-seminar.

In summary, Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber’s selection for the CAORC-WARC Faculty Development Seminar in Dakar is a significant opportunity that will deepen her understanding of West African culture and its diaspora. The seminar’s comprehensive agenda not only enriches academic expertise but also emphasizes the importance of global perspectives in higher education, ensuring that faculty members develop impactful projects for their institutions.

Original Source: www.udc.edu