Occasional Papers of NUCRI Interest for FY 2004
Beginning this month, the National University Community Research Institute (NUCRI) will post a series of Occasional Papers of NUCRI Interest for our colleagues and friends. We will start with the first of a series of "White Papers on the Cities of the Future" by NUCRI advisory board member John Eger, the Van Deerling Professor of Communication and Public Policy and Executive Director of the California Institute for Smart Communities at San Diego State University. Cited below are excerpts from The Creative Community, Forging the Link between Art Culture, Commerce, and Community with a link to the entire article. We would appreciate your comments on this new website feature and invite you to share the experience with your colleagues and friends.
Thank you,
TAM
e-Humanities in a Digital Society
Jacque Caesar, Ph.D. and Thomas MacCalla, Ed.D., National University, San Diego California, Second International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities: "Future, Human," Prato, Italy, July, 2004.
Educational institutions at all levels are being asked to review their organizational goals and curriculum objectives in the light of the new knowledge economy and the impact of the rapid advance of information communication technology. Such prescription suggests a re-ordering of priorities and alternative approaches to learning and inclusive community building. Committing to a collaborative future becomes the new imperative and improving the quality of life for everyone the overarching goal. Toward these ends, we need to recognize that understanding the dynamics of human and cultural diversity, balancing tradition with change, and advocating responsible citizenship in a global civil society are vital to the completeness of one's education and human progress.
With reference to the conference theme of "New Directions for the Humanities," may we suggest that the Humanities is the interdisciplinary discipline best suited to convey the "Future Human" message. In turn, the "e-Humanities" is the multimedia medium well positioned to amplify it. Within this context, "e" stands not only for "electronic," but also for "enhancing, extending, and enabling." Blended e-learning has become the driver of self-directed and self-paced education, information sharing, and networking for inclusive community building. The focus continues to be on the interrelatedness of knowledge, the interdependence of people, and the creative use of technology for the common good. In short, "e-Humanities in a Digital Society" is about preparing lifelong learners to be informed, productive, socially-responsible and globally-aware citizens in an inter- dependent world community. It is about exploring ways to facilitate the integration and application of knowledge, sharing values, promoting social justice, and providing greater access to information resources for dealing with the present and anticipating the future.
Committing to a collaborative future becomes the new imperative and improving the quality of life for everyone the overarching goal.