Chapman University will host its second annual Education & Ethnic Studies Summit on April 1-2, 2017. This event is designed as a professional interchange opportunity for teachers, educators, scholars, activists, community organizers, students and parents to dialogue on the Ethnic Studies movement. Hosted by Chapman’s College of Educational Studies, this year’s theme is Activist Women of Color. The event is free and open to the public.
“Ethnic studies has taken on more prominence in the education world, but there remains misunderstanding about what exactly ethnic studies is,” said Margaret Grogan, Ph.D., dean of Chapman’s College of Educational Studies. “In this forum we explore the concept and focus on practical applications for our state’s classrooms.”
The working definition of ethnic studies from the California Chapter of the National Association for Multicultural Education (CA-NAME) is: “While Ethnic Studies is a contested and emergent field, we define it broadly as a movement for curricular and pedagogical projects that reclaim marginalized voices and histories, create spaces of healing, which are tied to social action that challenges and transforms oppressive systems and cultures of domination.”
The event includes a wide variety of panels representing: Local Activist Latinas, Queer Trans People of Color, Women with Disabilities, Black Male Allies, Muslim Women Activists, Black Women Activists, Asian American Student Voices, in addition to panels that explore ethnic studies curriculum, and dialogue addressing a climate of hate.
“California enacted a law last year that mandates ethnic studies curriculum be developed for our state’s high schools,” said Miguel Zavala, Ph.D., associate professor at Chapman University. “In this space we want to empower our attendees with the tools to reach all their students with a healthy understanding of not only our diversity, but also to learn about the cultures that surround us. This is a powerful event marked by so many diverse panels and workshops, and timely given our present political climate.”
Dr. Miguel Zavala
The Education & Ethnic Studies Summit will also feature discussions on elementary school activism, using students’ multiple identities as a tool for learning, and teaching and supporting immigrant and migrant children.
The event will take place on Chapman University’s main campus in Orange from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2. The event is free and open to the public. Approximately 1,000 attendees are expected over the course of the two days, which feature 24 speakers, 5 keynotes and 56 sessions. More information on the Education & Ethnic Studies Summit can be found at: https://events.chapman.edu/27660
Sponsors of Chapman’s Education & Ethnic Studies Summit include CA-NAME, Paulo Freire Democratic Project, Los Amigos, and the Ethnic Studies Now Coalition.
About Chapman University
As an academically distinguished center of learning, Chapman University attracts extraordinary students and faculty from around the globe. Its ten schools and colleges foster a vibrant intellectual community, and provide extensive opportunities for students to learn, grow and discover alongside remarkable faculty. The University is home to some 8,000 students pursuing bachelor, master and doctoral degrees, and is alma mater to more than 40,000 alumni found throughout the United States and the world. Now celebrating its 155th year, Chapman is known for its distinguishing strengths in leadership and civic engagement, in the arts and entertainment disciplines, and in specialized sectors of technology and science. The University is comprised of its main campus in Orange, California, and the Rinker Health Science campus for graduate health science programs in Irvine, California. Visit us at www.chapman.edu.
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