Movement and Language Subject of A&H Forum

Dance, movement and language is the theme of the next Arts and Humanities Forum at noon on Wednesday, May 3 in Schulz 3001. An interesting synergy of subjects that will appeal to faculty not only in A&H but also in the Schools of Education, Science and Technology, and Social Sciences.

Dance professor Nancy Lyons will speak about her recent book in a talk entitled "Dancing, Moving, Reading, Writing - Linking Movement with Language Acquisition in K-8." The publication by Lyons and Rebecca Fuller, "The Moving Book," is a language-based approach to movement that has put together a vocabulary of the elements of dance using everyday words. The words are directly linked to the experience of moving, and do not rely on styles of dance such as ballet, jazz, hip-hop, folk, etc. The authors say the words are applicable and relevant to all cross-cultural forms of dance. The publication is targeted for elementary school children, but is useful for all ages.

English professor Mira-Lisa Katz will discuss "Growth in Motion: Young Women’s Embodied Identity and Cognitive Development in Dance." Drawing on research in psychology, anthropology, the neurosciences, linguistics, and education,
this presentation explores cognition in the situated physical context of learning to dance, where self and emotion are filtered through muscle and movement as well as through mind, language and social interaction. This three-year ethnographic project employs a wide range of tools to investigate young women’s embodied identity and cognitive development through dance. Using multimedia, the presentation explores young dancers’ reflections about bodily cognition and suggests ways in which
their experiences in dance might help rethink narrow notions of "development" which have historically shaped school-based learning. Light refreshments will be served.

Brown Bag Lecture on Old World Monkeys

Karin Estam, Anthropology, presents Tuesday’s Brown Bag Seminar on "Predation and anti-predator behavior in Old World monkeys" from noon to 1 p.m.on Tuesday, May 2 in Stevenson 2011. This talk summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding predation on Old World monkeys, including confirmed and potential predators and estimated annual predation rates of various species of Old World monkeys. The lecture uses detailed research on the anti-predator behavior of free-ranging monkeys in Laikipia District, Kenya to illustrate the ways in which habitat structure affects perceived risk of predation and responses to predators.

SAVE THE DATE

Bidnight Madness, May 6

Don't forget to RSVP for Athletic's Bidnight Madness Silent/Live Auction and Dinner on May 6 at the Doubletree Hotel. Seats are still available. Phone 4-2641 or email clark@sonoma.edu.

Half-off Sale by Friends of the Library

Friends of the University Library is holding its end of the semester half-price sale on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., from May 1-12 in the first floor of the library. All books are half off and range from religion, literature and cooking to art history, travel and music. All monies generated support the library and its functions. For further information, visit http://library.sonoma.edu/
about/fol.html.