The Year of Morocco: An Introduction

Daniel Paracka, Kennesaw State UniversityFollow

Publication Date

11-15-2019

Abstract

Marking the 35th anniversary of Kennesaw State University’s award-winning Annual Country Study Program, the 2018-19 academic year focused on Morocco and consisted of 22 distinct educational events, with over 1,700 people in attendance. It also featured an interdisciplinary team-taught Year of Morocco (YoM) course that included a study abroad experience to Morocco (March 28-April 7, 2019), an academic conference on “Gender, Identity, and Youth Empowerment in Morocco” (March 15-16, 2019), and this dedicated special issue of the Journal of Global Initiatives. Most events were organized through six different College Spotlights titled: The Taste of Morocco; Experiencing Moroccan Visual Arts; Multiple Literacies in Morocco; Conflict Management, Peacebuilding, and Development Challenges in Morocco, Moroccan Cultural Festival; and Moroccan Solar Tree. There were also five YoM Learning Modules developed for use in 12 different classes across three colleges, and directly involving 375 students. As in the past, a semester-long senior-level graphic design class developed the Year of Morocco logo.

Author Bio(s)

Dan Paracka is Director of Campus Internationalization in the Division of Global Affairs and Professor of Education in the Interdisciplinary Studies Department at Kennesaw State University. Dr. Paracka teaches courses aimed at helping students develop strategies to internationalize their college experience and reflect on today’s complex interdependent world. Since 2004, he has coordinated KSU’s signature annual country study program. With more than 25 years of international education experience, his scholarship focuses on global learning and intercultural competency.