ICASC offered the Fall Institute/Special Topics course in September, 2011. Available both as a 400-level credit course in collaboration with Simon Fraser’s Faculty of Education (Education 496) and with Continuing Studies (for non-credit learners), this unique offering took place over 13 weeks in three-hour, once-weekly evening sessions started on September 7th, 2011.

Around the world, artists are impacting the lives of individuals and whole communities, creating new forms of dialogue, insight and positive change. With the use of specialized methods in performance, visual and media arts, these arts practices enable us to imagine and pursue the changes we wish to see in our own lives and in the world around us. Much of this work takes place in non-arts contexts such as in health promotion, medical training and research, in conflict resolution, business innovation, in the justice system, as part of environmental strategies and in human rights work…with youth, elders, in cross-cultural, inter-generational work, as well as in many forms of education. Making art creates a transformative form of cultural democracy in which innovation and hope is created through the lens of the imagination.

There are very few opportunities in post-secondary settings to learn about the field – its history, the ideas that inform it, and current practices around the world. Participants will have a unique introduction to arts for social change while providing experiential learning through workshops and dialogue with senior artists from the field. Teaching and learning was based in dialogue and hands-on experiences.

Who should take this course?

This is for those who are interested in the arts as a vehicle for social change. The field is rapidly expanding around the world as individuals and organizations increasingly recognize the potency of this work in many different settings. “Exploring Arts for Social Change” will provide you with information, connect you with others with similar interests and encourage you to reflect in innovative and creative ways. It is not necessary to have professional arts experience.

FOR 3 CREDITS

Course number: EDUC 496-3

Principal Instructors: Dr. Judith Marcuse and Dr. Lynn Fels

Dates: September 7 - November 30, 2011 (13 weeks)

Time: Wednesdays, 6:30 to 9.20pm

Location: SFU Harbour Centre, Vancouver, Room 2510

Email lynn_fels@sfu.ca; info@icasc.ca

CONTINUING STUDIES (NON-CREDIT)

Non-credit student fee: $450 + HST

Email: community-ed@sfu.ca or info@icasc.ca

Telephone: 778-782-8850 or 778-782-5201

For additional information, please click on http://register.cstudies.sfu.ca/listSections.action?offeringid=1499

CONTENT

• History and theories that inform the field

• Current local and global forms in different arts disciplines

• Goals, contexts, consequences and ethical concerns in the field

• Case studies

• Pedagogical considerations, practices, and implications of arts for social change

ACTIVITIES

• Examining the challenges of working with diverse communities: building and sustaining community-arts partnerships: cross-sector, cross-discipline and institutional partnerships (e.g. outreach strategies, setting goals, clarifying process, copyright issues, cultural translation)

• Dialogue practices including facilitation techniques

• Workshops with participating faculty and visiting community-based artists

• Creation of a small-scale arts project through an experiential process based on issues in students’ own neighbourhood

Students developed an understanding of the range of specific knowledge, skills and practices that are required for the field of arts for social change. This will include the following areas:

• Global and communal development and present practices in the arts for social change field.

• An understanding of how diverse arts practices form part of a broad, interconnected continuum.

• An awareness and understanding of key vocabulary (e.g. community, culture, dialogue).

• Definitions of excellence to include both process and product.

• Methodology in relationship to diverse conditions, such as learning styles, cultural norms, individual beliefs and attitudes.

• Ethical issues such as ownership, safety, cultural sensitivity and sustainability.

Students were assessed on the basis of their active participation, the clarity and depth of their written and verbal reports, and their degree of understanding of the arts for social change as reflected in their projects, class discussions, and final presentations.

ACADEMIC HONESTY STATEMENT

All members of the University community share the responsibility for the academic standards and reputation of SFU. Academic honesty is a condition of continued membership in the university community. Please review the Policy here.