Catalysts Impacts
Modernism in the Caucasus: Systematic Comprehension
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Tamar Paichadze
Avant-gardism was considered in Caucasian culture as an artificial turn for demonstrating style and originality. Analytics of the “settlement” of modernist-avant-gardist schools in the Caucasian art (culture) reality is in the first place connected with the correct understanding of the definition of terms. Modernism in Caucasus in the colonial period (20-ians of XX century ) was considered as artificial, mannered, meaningless, pseudo-positional and unnecessary happening in culture. Modernism had a different creative image in different countries, form and what is the most important different choices. Nevertheless, the methodological scheme of a sequence of Avant-gardism trends is as follows as in all culturological publications: Symbolism, Impressionism, Expressionism, Futurism, Dadaism, Cubism, and Surrealism. Each of these embodiments of Modernist mentality played important role in the cultural life and art theory of the country. This strategy turned out to be different for Caucasia. the theoretical analytics of Modernism in Caucasia had explicitly the fact that it could be perceived as an artistic creative method. i.e. literature of the method, which, unlike the European examples, had never acquired political loading.
Not (Yet) the “Chinese Century”: The Global Endurance of the US Cultural Industries
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Tanner Mirrlees
More than four decades have passed since international communication and media studies scholars coined the term “cultural imperialism” to conceptualize, describe and attempt to redress the asymmetrical power relations between the US and developing countries. New research on the media and cultural developments in Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (the “BRICS”) highlighted new and emerging cross-border media and cultural relations that are irreducible to a US-centric cultural imperialism. Nonetheless, this paper demonstrates the continuity of a US-centric cultural and media imperialism. New powers are rising in the global system, but the US is still number one with regard to its grip on the lion’s share of key power resources vis-à-vis the BRICS, and China. The BRICS collectively and China singularly do not “rival” the US’s combined economic, military and media-cultural power, which is preeminent. While internationally expansive media and communication sectors are emerging in China, India and elsewhere, the US continues to be home to most of the world’s largest communication and media companies.
Drama Integration and Oral Language Development in Head Start Programs: Setting the Stage for Effective Instruction in Preschool Classrooms
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Kelly Mancini Becker, Catherine Miller
Integrating dramatic play, which encourages multiple modes of communication, seems like a natural developmental fit into preschool language and literacy instruction. In fact, some correlational studies have found benefits for early cognitive and language development (Robinson, 2013). In a meta-analysis, Podlozny (2000) found some evidence that drama integration can have a positive impact on early elementary oral language development. Despite this evidence, the integration of drama is not a regular practice in preschool classrooms and research on its outcomes is sparse. This paper is an attempt to fill that void and to explore and evaluate a program that integrates oral storytelling and drama into Headstart programs in multiple sites. This is part of a multi-phase study designed to support arts-integration, specifically drama and oral storytelling in early childhood education settings. We will share first-phase outcomes of a networked design-study using the partnership of a core group of stakeholders (preschool teachers, administrators, artists, state-level organizations and university researchers) determined to scale up drama instruction in the service of early language development for low-income and ELL children in Head Start programs. We will share tools and processes developed and describe the rapid-cycle design-experiment process we used to identify and refine productive drama-language integration practices in preschool settings.
Memories of the Grenada Revolution, 1979-83
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Oliver Benoit
In October 1983, internal conflicts within the ruling party (New Jewel Movement) resulted in the executing of the Prime Minister and many of his cabinet members. Shortly after, a United States-led military invasion ended the rule of the revolutionary government. As the Grenada Revolution approaches its 40th anniversary in 2019, a majority of Grenadians, particularly those born after 1983, are unaware of this significant event, and the impact it has had and continues to have on Grenadians. Therefore, this art research-based project is about the role of art in memory. The overarching goal is to provoke and reawaken dormant memories about the Grenada Revolution 1979-1983 using the voices of a cross-section of Grenadians who recount their experiences during the Revolution. Art installations will be used to display and make these memories available to the public who might find these memories helpful in understanding Grenada’s revolutionary history.
