Santa Monica College is pulling out all the stops in this year’s celebration of International Education Week Nov. 14-18 with dance, music, food, film screenings, and an engaging lecture by Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan.
All events are free, and the public is invited.
“This is SMC’s 11th annual celebration of International Education Week, and through special events during the week we celebrate our diverse campus community and global perspectives,” said International Education Dean Kelley Brayton.
“SMC has one of the largest international student programs in the U.S. with 3,100 students representing more than 100 countries.”
Kelley said International Education Week is “an opportunity to celebrate how our international students enrich our campus, our classrooms, our communities and our lives on a daily basis. SMC’s commitment to global citizenship is reflected in our curriculum, campus activities, study abroad programs, and diverse campus community.”
The lineup of events, all held on the main SMC campus at 1900 Pico Blvd., is:
• Monday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. (Humanities & Social Science Lecture Hall 165):
Film & Discussion – “The Other Conquest” (“La Otra Conquista”). Written and directed by SMC film studies professor Salvador Carrasco, “The Other Conquest” is an epic film that brings to life the world of 1520s Mexico in the aftermath of the Spanish Conquest from the vantage point of the Aztec people. “The Other Conquest” became the highest-grossing Mexican dramatic film in history, receiving wide critical acclaim during its run in the United States and ranking as one of the Los Angeles Times’ Top 10 films of the year. A post-show discussion will be led by Carrasco, film studies professor Josh Kanin, and the film’s star, Damian Delgado (“Men with Guns,” “Law & order,” “Numb3rs”).
• Tuesday, Nov. 15 from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Campus Quad):
“Global Citizenship Day,” featuring limited free samples of international foods, music, and dance performances from SMC’s Global Motion World Dance Company. Information will also be provided on how campus departments are engaged in SMC’s Global Citizenship initiative.
• Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 6:30 p.m. (Humanities & Social Science Lecture Hall 165):
Film by Muhammad Yunus – “To Catch a Dollar,” which addresses how the global phenomenon of microfinance is helping grow new businesses in the U.S. The film follows the birth of Grameen America and the compelling story of the first borrowers and
Nobel Peace Prize winner Yunus as he brings his unique program to the U.S. (NOTE: This event repeats at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18 in the same location)
• Thursday, Nov. 17 at 11:15 a.m. (Humanities & Social Science Room 165):
Kenneth Turan: “Foreign Films in a Global Community: Their Impact & Evolution.” Turan, film critic for the Los Angeles Times and National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered,” will discuss foreign language films in the current international landscape.
SMC is one of the many organizations nationwide that will celebrate International Education Week, a joint initiative of the U.S. State and Education Departments.
Brayton said she agrees with Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Janice Jacobs’ on International Education Week 2011, in particular her point that “in today’s economy, it is essential that professionals in all fields have a knowledge and understanding not just of facts and figures, but also of foreign cultures and societies. When students from different countries and cultural backgrounds sit together in classrooms, whether in the United States or abroad, they exchange new ideas, break down stereotypes, gain knowledge of each other and their differing cultures, and make connections that last a lifetime.”
International Education Week at SMC is sponsored by the Title VIA Grant, along with SMC sponsors including the Global Citizenship Council, International Education Center, Communication Department, Business Department, Dance Department, and the SMC Associates, a private organization that funds speakers and special programs on campus.
For information about the SMC event, go to www.smc.edu or contact Joan Kang at 310.434.3962 or kang_joan@smc.edu.
