| Exploding Canons: Thinking Differently About... |
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Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Site of the 2010 Exploding Canons event Exploding Canons: Thinking Differently About... is a diversity series presented by the Charlotte Teachers Institute. The first Exploding Canons event, sponsored by the Arts & Science Council, Wells Fargo, and the Chancellor's Diversity Challenge Fund at UNC Charlotte, took place February 23, 2010, at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. Five faculty members from UNC Charlotte and Davidson College gave short presentations on the topic of disease in the context of their academic disciplines and then integrated their ideas into an interdisciplinary panel discussion. Guests were encouraged to ask questions of the panelists throughout the evening. Over 150 people attended the event, including representatives from CMS, UNC Charlotte, Davidson College, the Bechtler Museum and the Charlotte community. More than half of those in attendance were Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) teachers, and over a dozen students from CMS and UNC Charlotte attended and participated in the event.
Pictured above: David Wessner, Jurgen Buchenau, Ann Fox, Shelley Rigger, Charles Hutchinson, and Malin Pereira The topics of conversation included: How Disease Shaped the Americas, Jurgen Buchenau, professor and chair, Department of History, UNC Charlotte HIV and Unexpected Immunities, David Wessner, associate professor, Department of Biology, Cultural Stereotypes Surrounding Global Pandemics, Shelley Rigger, Brown Professor of East Asian Politics, Department of Political Science, Perceptions of Disease and Disability, Ann Fox, associate professor, Department of English, The Effects and Diagnosis of “Dis-ease” in School and Society, Charles Hutchison, associate professor, Middle and Secondary K-12 Education, UNC Charlotte Over the course of the evening, the presenters discussed disease as it relates to human biological history, race and imperialism, racism and nationalism, and disability studies, and they explored the concept of “dis-ease” (the feeling of cultural discomfort). Exploding Canons helped create a community conversation, as attendees included UNC Charlotte and Davidson faculty and students, CMS teachers, students and parents, independent school teachers, and other Charlotte community members.Exploding Canons: Thinking Differently About... offers a unique approach to educational conversation. CMS teachers and faculty select each Exploding Canons topic, and expert faculty, representing diverse disciplines, unveil unexpected ideas and challenge traditional thought. Exploding Canons explodes traditional ways of thinking and creates an integrated, dynamic way of understanding. Future topics under consideration:
CTI is committed to offering community-based educational opportunities in the Charlotte area. Stay tuned for more information about the next Exploding Canons: Thinking Differently About... event. All photographs courtesy of Piper Warlick Photography.
Molly Shaw, CTI Director
Malin Pereira, Moderator and English Professor, UNC Charlotte
David Wessner, Biology Professor, Davidson College
Jurgen Buchenau, History Chair, UNC Charlotte
Shelley Rigger, East Asian Politics Professor, Davidson College
Ann Fox, English Professor, Davidson College
Charles Hutchinson, Education Professor, UNC Charlotte
View of the audience in the Wells Fargo Auditorium |
