Yale Bulletin and Calendar

September 27, 2002|Volume 31, Number 4

'Intersections' aims to close the rift between
academic theories and community advocacy

The challenges facing children and schools and the role that Yale students can play in bringing about changes in the educational system will be explored in the first part of a year-long lecture series presented by Dwight Hall.

The lecture series, titled "Intersections: Theories and Practices of Civil Engagement" includes speakers, panel discussions and Yale faculty-led seminars that will integrate academic theories with service and advocacy. Speakers and panelists will also participate in focused discussions with students and community members about issues they confront in daily life.

The first part of the series, which takes place throughout this semester, is titled "Intersections in Education." It was kicked off with a lecture on Sept. 17 by Edward Zigler, Sterling Professor of Psychology, on the topic "Moving the United States Towards Universal Preschool Education." His talk was followed with lectures by specialists on the issue of school choice.

On Wednesday, Oct. 2, the featured speaker will be Kurt Landgraf, president and chief executive officer of the Educational Testing Service. His talk will also take place at 4 p.m. in Dwight Hall.

Upcoming speakers will address such issues as child poverty and education, how Scholastic Aptitude Test questions are chosen and bilingual education. All lectures are free and open to the public. Future lectures will appear in the Calendar section of the Yale Bulletin & Calendar.

"Intersections" was conceived by students and is funded through a grant provided by the Connecticut Commission on National and Community Service and the Connecticut Department of Higher Education. Two more series will be presented in the spring: one on criminal justice and another on environmental issues.

"We want students to translate their scholarship into civil engagement by learning concurrently about the policies, theories and practices underlying service and advocacy," says Louise Davis '03, co-coordinator for Dwight Hall.

Srikanth Sivashankaran '04, Dwight Hall's education network co-coordinator, adds that "Intersections" will "enable students to gain an increased understanding of current issues in social justice and public service, equipping them with skills to work toward multiple levels of change, from taking direct action in the New Haven community to working for policy reform."

The ultimate aim of the "Intersections" series is to "promote dialogue beyond the walls of Yale," both with members of the New Haven community and beyond, and "enhance the quality of service efforts throughout the city," says Dwight Hall co-coordinator Patrick Casey Pitts '03. He notes that despite the high participation rate of Yale students in service and advocacy groups (some 3,000 students participate each year in over 50 student-run programs through Dwight Hall), students are given few opportunities to consider the larger theoretical and political implications of their work.

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