Workshops
Friday February 24, 2012 - 10:30 am
Facilitating Difficult Dialogues: Identifying Micro-Aggression and Attending to Group Process
This workshop is for the instructor who finds him/herself stuck when it comes to difficult dialogues that arise in the classroom over issues related to multiculturalism and diversity. Led by licensed clinical psychologists who also serve as Biola faculty, the workshop will aim to heighten sensitivity to micro-agression which commonly occur during difficult dialogues and equip instructors to attend to group dynamics and process, which can often aid in bringing issues to the surfaces so that they can be effectively addressed.
Christina Lee Kim, Biola University
Tamara Anderson, Biola University
Business 203
Speakin' Up: Student Narratives from Within
Film Preview and DiscussionIn our day and age, diversity in Christian Higher Education continues to be a significant challenge. Through a series of events sponsored by the Department of Multi-Ethnic Programs and Development at Biola University, students step up to the mic and share about their growth process, experiences in the academy and perspectives on the crucial role diversity plays in the Kingdom of God. The documentary film, "Speakin' Up" is a collection of student stories that challenge us to join them in building a thriving Christian community that values the human diversity around us. Come prepared to engage in a group discussion.
Tamra Newman, Biola University
Business 220
The Insider/Outsider Principle
"Is it really fair to offer ethnic minority scholarships?", "Why do we give some groups special treatment?", "Why not just treat everyone the same?"... These types of questions often come up on Christian campuses. How should we respond? In this workshop we look at the clear mandate in Scripture to extend special kindness to those who are on the margins and create bridges so that they can become insiders within our groups and community. Understanding, applying, and clearly communicating the Insider/Outsider Principle is essential for Christians who desire to foster healthy, biblical, multi-ethnic campuses and ministries.
Chad Brennan, ReNew Partnerships
Business 206
Friday February 24, 2012 - 2:00 pm
Ethnic Identity Development
As students at Christian Colleges/Universities begin to engage in conversations of diversity and learn about racial reconciliation, having an understanding of your own racial identity is a valuable part of the learning process. This workshop will introduce students to theoretical frameworks for racial identity models, and allow students to practically engage these models through an interactive class exercise that will help students become familiar with the models.
Tamra Newman, Biola University
Business 220
A Whole New Way to Train: Utilizing Scenario-Based E-Learning Sessions
Many of the world's largest corporations use scenario-based e-learning as an effective and efficient way to train their employees. Wouldn't it be great if there were similar tools based on Scripture and the input of top Christian experts that could be used to train students and faculty on ethnicity-related issues? Now there is! Over the last several years our team has worked with nationally-recognized experts like Dr. Brenda Salter-McNeil, Dr. David Anderson, and Dr. Michael Emerson to create several e-learning sessions that are currently being used by Christians around the country and the world. We plan to release a new e-learning session for Christian college students soon and a session for Christian college faculty in the fall. In this workshop we will demonstrate how the sessions work and discuss how they can be utilized on your campus.
Chad Brennan, ReNew Partnerships
Business 201
Ubuntu Theology, Reconciliation, and Diversity
Recently, the word ubuntu has become popularized through the media, but its theology, developments, and African life-soul dynamics have yet to be explored by the West. This workshop will introduce how transformative ubuntu theology is as well as its roots and histories. Faustin Ntamushobora, a pastor, theologian, community developer, and genocide survivor in east Africa will give the foundations of ubuntu's underlying values and remarkable worldview, and how it can be an alternative way of reconciliation and diversity in the face of dominant western cultural theologies. Ivan Chung, Director of Int'l Student Services at Biola, will examine how the ubuntu "I Am Because I Belong" worldview and the African concept of the holistic life can be reconciled with various U.S. cultures.
Faustin Ntamushobora, Biola University
Ivan Chung, Biola University
Business 202
Saturday February 25, 2012 - 10:30 am
What Does the Bible Say About Ethnic Relations?
Being able to give a clear, thorough answer to this question is essential in our efforts to promote a healthy, Christ-honoring atmosphere on campus. Do you know that the Greek/Hebrew words for "ethnic group" are found more frequently in the Bible than the words for grace, forgiveness, and faith combined? In this workshop we will look at several key passages that can teach us about God’s heart for ethnic relations and people of all ethnic groups. We will also provide you with two handouts you can use for further study and training others.
Chad Brennan, ReNew Partnerships
Business 103/104
Welcome the Stranger: Pastoral and Prophetic Approaches to Immigrants and Immigration
The Bible’s perspective on immigrants and immigration is vastly different than Lou Dobbs’. Is there an immigration crisis? Is the immigration system broken and in what way? How can and should Christians respond to the immigrant families in our midst? Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) is an economic justice ministry which in recent years has been at the forefront of a faith response to immigrants and immigration, including the coordination of the New Sanctuary Movement. Recent initiatives in the State of Arizona have also thrust the immigration debate into the forefront making this discussing all the more timely. Come prepared to participate in lively discussion.
Alexia Salvatierra, Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE)
Business 202
Building Bridges Between the Local and Global
There are many different cross-cultural ministries that can be found in the world of higher and secondary education as well as churches here and abroad: short-term/long-term missions, urban outreach, international student services, multi-ethnic programs. Often a distinction or tension occurs between global and local diversity. Is such a distinction necessary? Do we find ourselves gravitating toward one side over another? Is such a distinction biblical? Do those involved in global outreach neglect ethnic diversity and justice ministry here in the U.S.? Should those involved in ethnic diversity in the U.S. be developing a global conscience? Come and engage in a discussion regarding these concerns, hear from those who are actively engaging in bridging paradigms between local and global diversity, and discuss how we can be effective in building our own bridges.
Ivan Chung, Biola University
Chiraphone Khampouvong, Azusa Pacific University
Business 105
Our Place at the Table: White People in Reconciliation
In an increasingly global society, America is faced with the challenge of true integration as ethnically diverse populations increase. However, misunderstanding, fear, apathy, and rejection have plagued the "majority" group -- white Americans. Do white Americans have a cultural heritage? What is this so-called "white privilege?" How can the ethnic community accept the efforts of those who try to reach out? Working through these issues is difficult -- it is painful to discover how years of past and continuing social injustice can destroy relationships of our generation. This open discussion, for students of all ethnic backgrounds, seeks to promote responsibility within the Body of Christ to face our fears and promote change as a unified, loving community.
Sarah Visser, Azusa Pacific University
Business 220
Race and Popular Culture
When was the first time you noticed race on television? In the movies? In advertisement? Where do we get our understanding of race and ethnicity? In this interactive media-focused workshop we will examine the impact of popular culture on perceptions of race by showing a variety of clips from popular media. By utilizing cultivation theory, we will discuss how popular culture shapes our thoughts about racial issues, perceptions of various cultures, and inter-ethnic interactions. In addition, we will have the opportunity to discuss how this impacts us on each of our campuses.
Joshua Canada, Westmont College
Business 201
Surviving and Thriving in a Christian College/University
While attending a predominantly white institution some students from diverse ethnic backgrounds may experience feelings of frustration, exhaustion, and marginalization. Such challenges can feel overwhelming. Students from all backgrounds are able to have a fulfilling, rewarding, and enriching experience while enrolled in school if they take full advantage of the resources around them and learn how to navigate the Christian College system well. In this workshop, the presenters will address the previously mentioned sentiments and suggest practical applications to help students survive and thrive in the classroom, residence halls, and campus life.
Tamra Newman, Biola University
Donald Gordon, Biola University
Deshonna Collier-Goubil, Biola University
Business 102
Saturday February 25, 2012 - 1:30 pm
I'm Not a Racist, So Why are You Blaming Me?
For many people encountering multiculturalism and racial reconciliation, particularly those in the white majority, many troubling questions arise. "Why is there so much anger toward white people?" "Why does it seem OK to criticize white people as a group but it’s seen as racist to criticize other groups?" "Why should I be criticized for something my ancestors did?" "Why not focus on the things that unify us, rather than those that divide us?" "Why can’t we focus on our identity in Christ rather than our racial identity?" If you have wondered about these questions or want to know how to respond to these questions when others ask them, this is the session for you. Emphasis will be placed on understanding racism as a systemic problem rather than an individual one.
Brad Christerson, Biola University
Alicia Miller, Biola University
Business 103/104
An Exploration of African Dance Form
This workshop provides a short survey of African dance and it's adaptations (Haitian, Caribbean and South American influences). Participants will learn isolation and full body motion patterns which will then be combined to construct a short dance. A discussion on the derivation of movements and their meanings will be included as part of the exercise. Wear comfortable clothing and come prepared to learn and move in ways that are new and sometimes uncomfortable. Come prepared to learn and explore.
Linda Kazibwe-James, Whittier Christian High School
Sutherland Auditorium
Facebook: A Tool for Promoting Biblical Ethnic Relations?
Most college students spend a great deal of time using Facebook, Twitter, Skype, YouTube and other online tools. In this workshop we will discuss if and how we can utilize these tools in our efforts to promote healthy, biblical ethnic unity on campus. We will consider the role that many-to-many technologies like Facebook played in the launch of the recent Middle East revolutions and ask, "Can these tools help us launch revolutions on our campus as well?" This workshop will be discussion-oriented and include time for sharing about what is working and not working on our campuses.
Chad Brennan, ReNew Partnerships
Business 102
The Kingdom of God and the Poor
Poverty in our world has been a reality throughout history worldwide. It is evident in the scriptures that the poor are subjects of God’s concern and love. Yet, so many today in the Evangelical world lack a compassion and understanding of the mandates in scripture for justice for the poor. How do we live our lives as Christians in light of this reality? Join Ray Bakke as he takes us on a journey through the Bible to see what the scriptures say about the poor and the church’s responsibility to engage with them. Be prepared to participate in a lively discussion.
Ray Bakke, Author and Speaker
Business 109
“Where My Dawgs At?” Hip Hop’s Theology of Community
For Hip Hoppers, life is all done in community. Whether those communities are small, large, medium, one or two people, sixty or one hundred, community is still occurring. More importantly, Church happens in that community and the presence of God is not only felt but also experienced. Hiphop's language of suffering and justice speaks to people from many walks of life and works to unify Hiphoppers of all nationalities to the culture.
This session will discuss Hiphop as a unifier, Hiphop as an inspiration and voice of a generation, and Hiphop’s continued struggle with inclusion (heterosexism and patriarchy within Hiphop).
Deshonna Collier-Goubil, Biola University
Business 220
What's Class Got to Do With It?: Developing Class Consciousness
When we talk about class in this country, we typically think of money…who has it and who doesn’t. And yet class encompasses far more than just financial resources. This interactive session invites students to engage in conversation about the complexity of class identity, the detriments of class disparity, the power of reconciliatory justice to bridge class divides, and our call as Christians to elevate our class consciousness toward a deeper embrace of the richness of God’s Kingdom.
Sarah Visser, Azusa Pacific University
Business 105
