Syracuse Symposium Creates Community, Broadens Perspectives
A key aspect of preparing students to become engaged global citizens is exposing them to new perspectives. According to a study from the听, humanities public programming is one effective way to achieve this, as it 鈥渆quips students with essential skills that are transferable to many areas of life and work, making them more thoughtful, informed and critical individuals.鈥
罢丑别听听hosts the Syracuse Symposium, which encompasses a variety of art exhibitions, lectures, film screenings, workshops, musical performances and more. These events, open to Syracuse University students, faculty and staff, along with the local community, inspire critical thinking about current issues and encourage reflection on personal values and beliefs, highlighting how the humanities can be applied in various real-world contexts.
The yearlong Symposium听听with a series of events centered around this year鈥檚 theme, ‘community,’ as selected by the听. Continuing this spring, events will demonstrate how the humanities are essential for helping to create environments in which everyone can thrive, resulting in more inclusive communities and healthier and more just societies. Programming will also spark thoughtful discussions through unexpected juxtapositions, such as how sports and theater are vital to community-building, and how youth storytelling can be brought to life through film, music and dance. Explore the full slate of Symposium events below.
Spring Symposium Events
Sunday, February 2
听–听罢丑别听 (TwMC) collaborative will present a screening of works by Syracuse-area high school students at the Watson Hall Theater. Films were shot using readily available tools like smartphones, illustrating that anyone can create impactful movies, regardless of their resources.
Friday, February 7 and Saturday, February 8
Resettled refugee youth from the听听will host two storytelling events. On Feb. 7, the fellows听听through poetry set to music by Iraqi composer Ameen Mokdad, performed by Cuatro Puntos musicians and Ekklesia Contemporary Ballet dancers, choreographed by ECB artistic director Elisa Schroth. On Feb. 8, the poets, composer, choreographer, musicians and dancers will facilitate a听.
Wednesday, February 26
听鈥 In this event presented by Syracuse Stage, former Syracuse University athletes Eric Devendorf (basketball) and Eric Jackson (football) will discuss the role of sports in building community and how it can result in unexpected friendships and lasting
connections. The panel discussion, in conjunction with the play听,听will be moderated by听, an instructor of Spanish in A&S and former editor at ESPNDeportes.com and ESPN.com.
Thursday, March 6
听–听, associate professor of teacher education and school improvement at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, will explore pathways and possibilities for justice-oriented, community-based and youth-engaged teaching and learning in the context of today鈥檚 polarizing political climate.
Tuesday, March 18
Two related events will spotlight Gertrude Berg, the groundbreaking writer-actress who created the serial comedy-drama听The Rise of the Goldbergs听(1929), later known as听. Syracuse University Trustee Professor听听鈥溾 viewing series will feature radio and television screenings of Berg鈥檚 work, co-curated by Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Emily Nussbaum. Later that day, Nussbaum will use archival letters from the Special Collections Research Center鈥檚 Gertrude Berg Papers to听.
Thursday, April 3 and Friday, April 4
New York State Poet Laureate听听will host a reading of her works and a craft-focused discussion. On April 3, Spears Jones will听听at the Syracuse Downtown YMCA鈥檚 Shinder Theater. On April 4, she will听听in conversation with students and fans of poetry in the campus community. Space for that talk is limited. To register, contact听Phil Memmer, executive director of the Arts and Education Branch of the YMCA of CNY, by March 28.
Saturday, April 5
听–听Film director Will Fraser will share excerpts from his two decades of work producing documentaries and films related to the pipe organ. He will also join a panel of organists to discuss the instrument’s future.
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