Common Experience

All events are free and open to the public.

• September
• October
• November
• January
• February
• March

September

"Transitioning to College: Exploring Identity or Identity Crisis"

September 12 - 2:45 to 4:00pm - IU Southeast Library
Dr. Ruth Garvey Nix, IU Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, and Mrs. Shannon Staten, University of Louisville Director of Housing and Residence Life, will discuss adjusting to college life, exploring multiple identities, and defining oneself as a student in a multicultural world. What impact does the college experience have on changing one’s identity and understanding self?

Movie: "Crash"

September 18 - 7:30pm to 9:30pm - Ogle Center - Recital Hall
This movie is about different stories, mostly tragic, of diverse people in Los Angeles, CA and their perspectives on life and race, but also about how they identify themselves at work, at home, and in society (a discussion will follow the movie).

"Political Identity: Democrats, Republicans, Conservatives, and Liberals"

September 26 - 7:00pm - 9:00pm IU Southeast Library
What is a Democrat? What is a Republican? What is a liberal? What is a conservative? Is there a real difference and does it really matter? How do we come to identify with a particular political party or political ideology? Members of the IU Southeast Political Science faculty will lead a discussion on political identities and their significance.

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October

"Nature vs Nurture in Identity Formation: How Unique Am I?"

October 9 - 7:30pm to 9:00pm - IU Southeast Library
Drs. Debbie Finkel (Psychology), Gloria Murray (Education) and David Taylor (Biology), will discuss the on-going debate about the importance of innate qualities (nature) versus personal experience (nurture) and the myths about identity. What can twins tell us about nature versus nurture? Opinions about how much of what we are is determined by genes or life experiences will be discussed.

"My identity as a Muslim"

October 16 - 2:45pm to 4:00pm - IU Southeast Library
Akber Pasha and other guests from the Islamic Cultural Association of Louisville will discuss issues concerning Muslim values (dispelling myths, etc.), the difficulties of being a Muslim in America, the clash of values, and how Muslims maintain their identity in America today.

Faculty led Discussion of Dreams of My Father by Barack Obama.

October 24 - 7:30pm to 9:00pm - IU Southeast Library
Professors Cliff Staten and Michael Abernathy will lead a discussion of the Common Experience book.

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November

"Multiple Identities: Living life with a hyphen"
Dr. Gustavo Pèrez Firmat

November 7 - 7:30pm to 9:00pm - Robinson Theatre (inside The Ogle Center)
Dr. Gustavo Perez Firmat is a poet, fiction writer and scholar. He has been called a “master of linguistic play” as well as the “terminator of cultural certainties.” His study of Cuban American culture, Life on the Hyphen, was awarded the Eugene M. Kayden University Press National Book Award for l994. In l995, Pèrez Firmat was named Duke University Scholar/Teacher of the year. He will discuss issues related to the Common Experience theme. Funded by the Addison Locke Roache Memorial Lecture Fund.

"Race and Identity: Who decides?"
Dr. J. Blaine Hudson

November 13 - 2:45pm to 4:00pm - IU Southeast Library
Dr. J. Blaine Hudson, Dean of the School of Arts and Science at University of Louisville, is a well known historian, teacher and researcher. His studies include the histories and cultures of persons of African ancestry throughout the world, inter-cultural education, diversity and the history and social psychology of race. He will discuss the history and political impact of racial identity and how race has been assigned over time.

Student Lead Discussion of Dreams of My Father by Barack Obama

November 28 - 2:45pm to 4:00pm - IU Southeast Library
Honors Program students will lead a discussion on the Common Experience book.

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January

"Beliefs, Traditions and Religion in Identity"

January 23 - 2:00pm - 3:30pm - IU Southeast Library
Dr. Thick Hang Dat - Vietnamese Budism, Dr. Johnny Alse (Business) - Hinduism and Dr. Yu Chen - Chinese Traditions will talk about their identities in light of their beliefs, religions and traditions.

"A Readers Theater Production - Who Am I: Visions across the Spectrum"

January 24 - 7:30pm to 9:00pm - Ogle Center - Recital Hall
IU Southeast Readers Theater Group will deliver a performance on how identity helps people define themselves in the eyes of others and themselves.

"Korean Identity: Personal Identity and Korean Identity which is more important?"
Dr. Heeja Han

January 29 - 2:30pm to 4:00pm - IU Southeast Library
Dr. Han, Presbyterian minister, will discuss Korean generational identity, parental expectations, and personal identity in American culture.

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February

"Living Among the Navajo: Understanding their Identity & Culture"

February 4 - 2:45pm to 4:00pm - IU Southeast Library
Dr. Luz Huntington-Moskos, MS, RN, CPN is a Latina nurse with ten years experience and a strong interest in working with underserved populations. Luz spent three years working in healthcare with the Navajo from 2000 to 2003. She will share her story of living and working with the Navajo people; as well as the birth story of her first child on the Navajo Reservation in Ganado, Arizona.

"Gender Representation in Advertisements - Do you really see me?"
Dr. Sara Hare & others

February 12 - 2:45pm to 4:00pm - IU Southeast Library
Dr. Hare, IU Southeast Sociology Professor will provide a slide show and discussion of gender representation in advertisement and how women are portrayed in ads. What images are portrayed and their influence on how women are identified.

Movie - "Smoke Signals"

February 19 - 7:30pm to 9:00pm - Ogle Center - Recital Hall
This movie is billed as the first full-length feature movie written, directed and co-produced by Native Americans. It is about the friendship of two young men on their way to maturity as they build their character and make the transformation from young men to mature young men. (Discussion of movie will follow viewing)

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March

Skull Wars

March 4 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm - Stem Auditorium (inside the Ogle Center)
David Hurst Thomas, author of Skull Wars: Kenniwick Man, Archeology, and the Battle for Native American Identity will discuss his book, the research, and issues surrounding the discovery of Kennewick Man in l996.

James Alexander Thom and Dark Rain Thom

March 11 - 7:30pm to 9:00pm - IU Southeast Library
Bestselling novelist and master of historical fiction (Long Knife, Panther in the Sky) James Alexander Thom, and co-author Dark Rain (Warrior Women), will discuss their work in bringing to life unforgettable Native American figures.

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