University News

Bishop’s University Journées du Savoir Activities Aim to raise awareness of the role of Quebec universities in society

Sherbrooke QC - November 3, 2009

The Journées du Savoir , a unique initiative organized by the Conference of Rectors and Principals of Quebec Universities (CREPUQ), will take place November 4-7 as part of CREPUQ’s comprehensive Knowledge Matters campaign.

“In order to raise awareness of their contribution to society, Quebec universities will share a sense of the vast range of knowledge created by our professors, researchers, scholars and students with participants in the Journées du Savoir ,” says Heather Munroe-Blum, President of the Board of CREPUQ and Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University. “The event will serve to demonstrate the contribution of universities to a variety of sectors, as well as their key role in the education and economic, social and cultural development of Quebecers.”

“Quebec has outstanding  universities throughout the province which contribute immeasurably to our  quality of life,” points out Bishop’s Principal Michael Goldbloom. “If you look  at three main pre-occupations of most Quebecers – education, health care and  the environment – our universities contribute in substantial ways to all  three of these priorities.”

Tea and Talk Lecture: “The Silk Saga: an Introduction”
Dr. Loretta Czernis, Sociology Department
Thursday, November 5, 2009: 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Periodical Room, John Bassett Memorial Library

The  diaphanous substance that we call silk carries multiple meanings.  It has  been used to denote luxury and power.  It has even been used as a form of  currency.  It has also been used to bring hardship and poverty.   Interpretations of the meaning of silk crescendo, slip, slide and shift as  peoples from different times and places recreate the social order.

The Tea and Talk Lectures are held in the John  Bassett Memorial Library and are delivered by Bishop’s University faculty  members with a goal of bringing individuals from Lennoxville, Sherbrooke and  the Eastern Townships onto campus for thought provoking lectures – without a  final exam.

Individual Differences Conference
Professor Josée Rourke, School of Education
Friday, November 6, 2009: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, Centennial Theatre Lobby

Fourth year B.Ed students, as part of a  course requirement, offer a one-day conference for the Bishop's University and  Champlain College community as well as for local school educators, practicum  supervisors, parents and the public at large.

Students have selected a topic relevant to individual differences in an inclusive classroom. Topics
include: Anxiety Disorders – Selective Mutism, Apraxia, Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism Spectrum, Differentiated Instruction, Down syndrome, Dyscalculia & Math Difficulties, English Language Acquisition, Dyslexia, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, First Nations students , Gender Differences in the Secondary Science Classroom, Giftedness, Hearing Impairments, Multicultural Education, Oppositional Defiant Behaviours, Shy and Withdrawn Pupils, Technology for Students with Special Needs, Teen Depression, The Brain, Visual Impairments.

These  topics represent unique qualities that may make it more difficult for some  elementary and secondary students to fit into the more traditional approaches  to teaching, learning and assessment. 

There is no charge for this event and the public is invited to stop in any time between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm to visit the interactive booths located in the Centennial Theatre Lobby. Students will present, share their research, interact and answer questions about their topic.

Mendelssohn’s Elijah
Bishop’s University Singers perform with the Orchestre Symphonique de Sherbrooke
Saturday, November 7, 2009: 8:00 pm, Basilique-Cathédrale Saint Michel in Sherbrooke
The Bishop’s University Singers is composed of 100 students, faculty, alumni and community members. The Singers perform sold out concerts every November and April. This year the Singers will perform Mendelssohn’s Elijah , with the Orchestre Symphonique de Sherbrooke under the baton of Stéphane Laforest at Basilique-Cathédrale Saint Michel in Sherbrooke.
Tickets are $30 and may be purchased at the Bishop’s University Bookstore.

-30-