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Promoting Understanding

Event Focuses on Korean Culture and Korean American Educational Experience

August 4, 2009 :: No. 009

What:

Understanding Korean culture in an effort to help parents and teachers work together to maximize the educational experience of Korean American students is the focus of a three-day conference.

When:

Aug. 11-13 1-5 p.m.

Where:

Yale Loop Conference Center, Irvine Unified School District 2 Alderwood, Irvine, Calif., 92604

Why:

“The goal of the program is to help parents and teachers work effectively together to maximize the educational experience of Korean students by helping teachers understand the geography, history, culture and contemporary issues and root culture of Korean heritage in Irvine,” said Connie DeCapite, director of Fullerton International Resources for Schools and Teachers (FIRST) at Cal State Fullerton. “We will challenge our cultural assumptions and attempt to understand through Korean eyes and hearts.”

Sponsors:

The event is part of the Program to Advance Cultural Education, a collaborative developed by FIRST, Irvine parent groups and the Irvine Public Schools Foundation to help teachers understand the root cultures and histories of the countries from which many of their students or their families have come.

Schedule:

Tuesday, Aug. 11
1 p.m. Opening ceremonies and introductions
1:15-2 p.m. Craig Ihara, Cal State Fullerton professor of philosophy, presents “Confucian Beliefs and Values.”
2-3:15 p.m. Stephanie Kim, teacher leadership education consultant, presents “Understanding Korean Values Through Children’s Stories.”
3:15-5 p.m. Jeffrey Kim, assistant principal at Dale Junior High School in Anaheim, presents “Korea: The Land, the Culture, The People Part 1.”
Wednesday, Aug. 12
1-1:45 p.m. Jeffrey Kim, assistant principal at Dale Junior High School in Anaheim, presents “Korea: The Land, The Culture, The People Part 2.”
1:45-2:15 p.m. Connie DeCapite, director of FIRST at Cal State Fullerton, presents “A Budget Tour of Novels for Understanding Korea Today.”
2:15-3 p.m. Student panel discussion
3-5 p.m. Dong Suk Kim, an ethnomusicologist from UCLA, will present “Traditional Korean Music.” In addition, students will perform, and a drumming lesson for teachers will be offered.
Thursday, Aug. 13
1-3 p.m. Ed Park, director of Asian studies at Loyola Marymount University, will present “The Korean American Experience.”
3-3:40 p.m. Woo Jung, CSUF associate professor of special education, will present “Korean American Students in the American School.”
3:40-5 p.m. Parent-teacher dialogue

Registration:

Available by phone: 657-278-7664

About FIRST:

FIRST is an interdisciplinary project that emphasizes history and social sciences placed in the larger world context. As one of a network of regional sites, FIRST offers comprehensive K-12 professional development programs throughout the school year, as well as summer institutes. These efforts focus on improving knowledge of the world by exploring international themes and issues inherent in geography, economics, government, world and U.S. history, regions, cultures and religions. The programs address reading, writing and academic language skills and the development of teacher leaders and coaches.

Media Contacts:
Connie DeCapite, FIRST, 657-278-7664
Mimi Ko Cruz, Public Affairs, 657-278-7586 or mkocruz@fullerton.edu