Noon Forum Briefs

BY PAIGE LINDEN

10/4/2007 - “The Present and Future Middle East: Expanding Conflict and Diminishing Peace”
Dr. Tim Schorn, a professor in the political science department at the University of South Dakota and the director of the International Studies program, made the trip to Mount Marty College to talk about what he considers the six main conflicts in the Middle East.

While Dr. Schorn was clear that he considered the war in Iraq a major conflict, he expanded his discussion to all conflicts in the Middle East, including those between the Palestinians and Israelites, Israel and Hezbollah, Iran and Saudi Arabia, Israel and Syria, and rebel Islamists and Algeria and Morocco. He also listed the three main obstacles that must be overcome to resolve these conflicts.

To conclude his forum, Dr. Schorn proposed steps that could be taken to resolve these conflicts. He suggested that the international community take action and that the Iraq Study Group be reinstated, but he believes that the biggest step that could be taken by conflicting countries is becoming more open to compromise.

10/11/2007 - “The Use of Colors and Symbols in Fine Arts by the Lakota”
David Kahle, associate professor of Art and Director of the Bede Art Gallery here at Mount Marty College, invited Samuel and Winona Begay to assist him in his discussion of how the Native American Lakota tribe uses colors and symbols as they create art.

Winona, who grew up in Oklahoma and learned English as her second language, learned beadwork from her grandmother. She uses some traditional materials in her work, such as porcupine quills and feathers, but likes to experiment with the different types and sizes of beads. She also makes some traditional pieces, such as dream catchers and earrings. She explained that Lakota beadwork has four main colors: blue for the sky, green for the earth, yellow for the people, and red for the sun.

Samuel’s art is in his music. He is a Navajo from the Arizona area, but his tribe is originally from Alaska. He also does some beadwork, mainly belt buckles, but his creativity is best expressed in his music. He writes and sings his own songs, telling about life on a reservation.

10/18/2007 - “The Plight of Dalits in India”
A year ago, Sister Andree Mechtenberg was offered an opportunity to travel to India on a two-week long medical mission trip. In her forum, she described her experiences dealing with the Dalit people, those who are not even recognized as humans by the Indian caste system.

There are about 250 million Dalits in India. They are the untouchables, the outcasts, the forgotten people. They are denied access to public wells, basic medical care, temples, and education. Working with the Dalit Freedom Network, Sr. Andree’s group traveled throughout the Dalit communities, providing basic care for those in need.

Using children as interpreters, Sr. Andree’s camp saw 3400 men, women, and children over the course of 5 days. People traveled for miles and waited in line for hours to receive care that would be provided to a citizen of India; unfortunately, as a Dalit, they are placed on the same level of worth as animals.

11/1/2007 - “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”
Dr. Alan Ferris, Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of Institutional Research here at Mount Marty College, presented a summary of the honors class of spring 2007. The class, entitled “Happiness, Humor, and Health”, had three questions that were the basis of study: What is happiness? What is humor? How are happiness, humor, and health related?

Throughout the course of the semester, students learned what components go into both happiness and humor. Work and education, religion, family life, age, and overall life satisfaction are some of the aspects that can contribute to an overall happy life.

To end his forum, Ferris showed a project that students had presented on what can be done on the MMC campus to increase student happiness. Last spring, Ferris showed this project to the board and received an anonymous $1000 grant to increase campus happiness. Students from the honors class will decide how the money can best be used.