A North Dakota State University theatre class called “Change U: Identity and Dialogue” is ready to put what they learned this semester into practice.
The new course, team-taught by experts in theatre, identity exploration and civic engagement, used theatre exercises to help students learn about themselves and to think deeply about social issues and how the issues affect the NDSU campus.
To apply what they learned, the students are hosting an event to get students, faculty and staff thinking and talking about social issues identified in class. The event will include theatrical demonstrations as well as educational booths and hands-on activities developed by the students. It is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union Ballroom. It is free and open to the public.
“The event is taking theories and classroom learning and bringing them to life to serve the NDSU community,” said Matt Skoy, assistant director of service learning and civic engagement at NDSU and one of the instructors.
The class was developed and taught by Lori Horvik, associate professor in theatre arts, Tim McCue, hall director in residence life, and Skoy. It was offered for the first time this fall.
“This course combines our individual viewpoints—residence life, student services and theatre arts—to address identity and activism,” Horvik said. “We believe it's a unique collaboration that engages students in considering their personal identity and how that identity affects their ability to create change in both their lives and the lives of others.”
NDSU is student focused and committed to its land-grant mission.