At the end of May 2012, a delegation of faculty from the University of Kentucky went to Shanghai University to promote the American Studies Center, a partnership between UK and SHU. Michelle Sizemore facilitated a group discussion between UK and SHU students about cultural difference, identity, and storytelling across cultures. Four faculty members, Mary Anglin, Frank X Walker, Ron Pen, and Arturo Sandoval presented lectures on Appalachian culture, identity, history, and art. At the end of the three-day event, Cheyenne Hohman got a chance to interview students from Shanghai University about the event. Students reflected on what they learned, what the symposium meant to them, and shared thoughts on ways that the University of Kentucky and Shanghai University could continue to foster meaningful exchange between academic communities.
This podcast was produced by Cheyenne Hohman. Music in this podcast is a live recording of "Horse Race," performed on erhu by Can Xu and Jie Sun, music students at Shanghai University.
Jairus Rossi is a graduate student in the Department of Geography, and one of twelve individuals organizing the 2nd annual Dimensions of Political Ecology Conference, which will take place from April 13th – 15th 2012 at the University of Kentucky. The conference is a multi-disciplinary event that will bring two guest speakers and scholars from at least ten countries.
Art is something everyone has an opinion about, but it can be difficult to define. There will be a conference about philosophical takes on aesthetic expression, “Perspectives in the Philosophy of Art,” on March 30th & 31st. Stefan Bird-Pollan and Tim Sundell, assistant professors in the Department of Philosophy, are co-organizing the conference, which will help conclude a year of aesthetics courses. Four invited speakers will offer their perspectives on art in society, with graduate commentary to follow. The event is free and open to the public.
Patrick Bigger is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Geography at the University of Kentucky. He is a co-founder and member of the Political Ecology Working Group, a multidisciplinary group that organized the first Political Ecology conference in February 2011.
