Cultural Immersion

Are you interested in diversity, equity, and social justice? Do you believe art has the ability to convey messages to promote change, heal, or reflect political or social activism? This Unit integrates the discussion of social issues with creating art with a message.

Students will engage in a series of discussions about social change strategies and will have the opportunity to research a specific social issue of their choosing. They will discuss their research with the group and consider ways in which the social issue can be represented through art. Students will learn more about traditional and fine art story quilts from artists such as Faith Ringgold, Joyce Scott, Chawne Kimber, Michael Cummings, Sherry Shine, Bisa Butler, and Wini McQueen. They will also look at work by students who created blocks through the Social Justice Sewing Academy (SJSA) in the past and will workshop with master quilters from the Princeton Sankofa Stitchers Modern Quilters Guild. Students will design an original block that illustrates a social justice issue that is important to them and write an artist statement.

“The World is Our Classroom,” even in a world of social distancing and travel restrictions. 

Globetrotters will travel around the world to four different countries without leaving campus. Through interactive, online experiences with on-site, in-person hosts, students will immerse themselves in each destination focusing on the culture, cuisine, and the language of France, Greece, Japan, and Morocco. Each day will center around several specific lenses of inquiry, offering students the opportunity to develop a deep understanding of specific facets of each country. Taking advantage of the virtual space, we will engage expert guest speakers and explore interactive materials to develop students’ understanding and appreciation of the various cultures. Students will travel virtually to Paris, Athens, Tokyo, and Marrakesh and tour historic sites and landmarks in real time, explore museums and street art, learn about history and culture, and cook and sample cuisine from each of the countries.

Highlights include:

• Paris, France: Students will get a taste of Paris beyond the tourist highlights. We will Zoom with a French native who will share her love of Paris, France, and French culture through stories and live tours off-the-beaten path corners of Paris and la Belle France.
• Athens, Greece: We will go on an interactive virtual walk around six Athenian neighborhoods, where students will learn about the history and evolution of Athens street art and culture. We will hear the inside stories of some of the most iconic masterpieces, both large and small, and learn about the “real” Athens, beyond the tourist spots and famous antiquities.
• Tokyo, Japan: Explore Tokyo virtually with an interactive guide and travel through the city’s main streets and historic sites. Students will also learn the history and art of origami in a live Zoom experience. This will not be a typical Origami class, because our instructor will share her Japanese culture and traditions associated with Origami. 
• Marrakesh, Morocco: Morocco is a melting pot of histories, religions, and cultures that demonstrate the intricate connections that bind us together. The unique religious and cultural history present in Morocco provides a rich backdrop for students to explore their own identities and expand their understanding of culture, language, and geography.