September 12, 2013

Westphal College is now offering a unique interdisciplinary media course, "Neighborhood Narratives," which uses alternative technologies, basic mobile recording devices, on-line open-source tools such as blogging, folksonomies and Google Maps along with analog resources such as sketch maps to produce context rich stories that portray aspects of a neighborhood. 

The Global Classroom award-winning course, taught by Visiting Professor Hana Iverson with guest lecturer Associate Professor Dr. Gena Ellis, AIA, includes projects that utilize GPS, cell phones, audio and visual recording engage the physical and economic infrastructure of local cultures, facilitating global comparisons and growing appreciation of the multiple ways in which local processes are intricately tied to regional, national and global forces and events.

The class will be collaborating with Professor Mine Ozkar and her architecture class at Istanbul Technical University, creating an international project using locative technologies to re-conceptualize streets and sidewalks as green public spaces. There is a possibility for a face-to-face component of the project in Istanbul through Study Abroad during the fall intersession 2014.

STUDENTS – Click here to enroll in this class!

Course Info:
Tuesday 12:30 - 3:20 | URBN 440
Instructor: Hana Iverson, Visiting Professor, Westphal College and Drexel University's College of Arts & Sciences
Guest Lecturer: Dr. Gena Ellis, AIA, Assoc. Professor, Westphal College and Drexel University's College of engineering.
ARCH 499 003 16572 + ARTH 465 003 15995 + DIGM 465 001 16003 + WEST 465 003
15981 + CIVC 299 002 16026 + COMM 380-003 16387 + INTR 799 004 16304

Art and Social Justice

Additionally, Prof. Iverson is also teaching an arts course that includes a series of events and guest lectures. "Art and Social Justice" will be taught on Wednesdays, 6:00 p.m. to 8:50 p.m. in URBN Center Room 349. Here are some of the events and speakers planned for the class:

Oct. 2 Electronic Disturbance Theater/b.a.n.g Lab

 “Artivism: Borders, Codes, and The Aesthetics of Disturbance” 

This talk by Ricardo Dominguez and Amy Sara Carroll of Electronic Disturbance Theater/b.a.n.g lab, is co-sponsored by the the Center for Mobilities Research and Policy (mCenter) in the College of Arts and Sciences. Drexel guest faculty: Vice-Provost for Global Initiatives and Professor of Political Science, Dr. Julie Mostov and Dr. Mimi Sheller, Professor of Sociology and Director of the mCenter. Click here for more information.

Oct. 16 “Frontline Territories” with Susan Meisalas

A roundtable discussion with renowned photojournalist and MacArthur “genius” fellow, Susan Meiselas, who will present an in-depth look at her work on Kurdistan as well as other projects.  With Drexel faculty, Karen Curry, Executive Director of the Rudman Institute and former NBC News London Bureau Chief, Executive Director of Morning News Programming at NBC and Vice President and New York Bureau Chief at CNN, where among other things, she ran the bureau's coverage of 9/11 and its aftermath, including several new shows that were launched in the midst of that coverage.

Oct. 30 “Seeking Justice: Equitable Engagement of Communities” 
with Jawole Willa Jo Zollar

A symposium with Center for Creative Research Founding Fellow, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, choreographer and Founding Artistic Director of Urban Bush Women, a Brooklyn-based based non-profit dance company. The UBW performances are dedicated to exploring the cultural influences of the African Diaspora and are very strong works based on women's experiences, touring locally and internationally.  With Drexel faculty, Dr. Miriam Giguere, Director of the Dance Program and Terri Shockley, Artistic Director of the Community Education Center.

Nov. 13 “Brecht/Eisler: Uncivilities” with David Gordon

A symposium with Center for Creative Research Founding Fellow, David Gordon, choreographer, theater director and two-time Guggenheim fellow (for dance and theater) discussing his upcoming PEW-sponsored theatre piece, “Brecht/Eisler: Uncivilities.” With Drexel faculty Nick Anselmo, Director of the Theater Program, this talk will address issues of free speech, related to the history of censorship and investigation in the United States.

Course Info:
Art and Social Justice 
W 1800-2050 – URBN 349
Instructor: Hana Iverson, Visiting Professor, Antoinette Westphal College of Media Art and Design + College of  Arts and Science