How would you like to delve into a new culture, relive history or engage in an international issue, all without ever leaving the comfort of your own home? Tune in to WorldCanvass from 12:00-2:00 PM on Sundays, and hear WorldCanvass broadcast LIVE on KRUI 5:00 – 7:00 PM one Friday per month, and do just that. Host Joan Kjaer leads an eclectic group of scholars, historians and professors in an engaging discussion on a different topic each month, combining international themes with art, culture and music to promote an enhanced understanding of the world around us.
With topics as diverse as slavery, the Middle East and the counterculture of the ‘60s and ‘70s, WorldCanvass provides an accessible take on seemingly intimidating topics, presenting them in a way that is easily understood by the average listener. Kjaer describes the program as “a combination of impressions and perceptions” that is meant to “share scholarship within the university with the interested, but not necessarily scholarly” among us.
One memorable program, entitled Taping the World, combined video, print and even a live musical performance to explore the history and influence of the tape recorder, from its role as a preserver of family memories to its involvement in political scandals. Past programs have focused on the culture of various regions around the world, as well as human rights issues and historical time periods.
This semester has many intriguing programs in store. Catch a glimpse into Italian art and culture in May, immerse yourself in the plight of women in post-Socialist Eastern Europe in April, and educate yourself about the global water crisis in March. Don’t miss out on a journey to East Africa in the next installment of WorldCanvass, which takes place on February 18th. The program will touch on everything from poverty to African comics, and it’s sure to be an enlightening experience.
If you’re looking to expand your worldview and learn about the cultures that surround you, tune in to WorldCanvass at 12:00pm every Sunday, and at 5:00 PM one Friday per month, on KRUI 89.7 FM. The programs can also be viewed live in the Old Capitol Museum and on UITV every weekend. The dates and topics for the spring semester are:
Spring 2011
January 28 – Counterculture of the 60s and 70s
February 18 – East Africa
March 25 – Starving for Water: The Global Water Crisis
April 8 – Women in Post-Socialist Eastern Europe
May 6 – Italian Art and Culture
WorldCanvass website: http://accents.international.uiowa.edu/worldcanvass/
