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The 2019 Learning Cluster Fair showcases the impressive field and service-learning �������� students participate in over the 3.5-week winter block period. Students experienced what it means to be global citizens, tackling various issues by bridging theory and practice together and formulating educated and constructive responses or actions to these issues. Sponsored by Academic Affairs, the event was held on Wednesday, January 30, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the SUA dining hall and front patio.

This year’s Coordinator of the 2019 Learning Clusters and Professor of Psychology Seiji Takaku opened the four-hour Learning Cluster Fair and thanked the Learning Cluster faculty, students, and staff for their participation and the vital support from the Luis and Linda Nieves Family Foundation. Mr. Nieves and his daughter also made a special visit to explore the LC Fair this year and stopped at each table to visit with students about hear about what they learned during their learning clusters.

Learning cluster students displayed their research findings and perspectives sharing their concerns on regional, national, and international issues with the greater community of SUA. Human rights, including children’s rights, ethnic and gender identity, peace, justice, conservation, science, and economics, were central exhibit themes featured in vibrant poster displays and sophisticated computer-based presentations and films, as well as a live theatrical production focusing on the lives of migrants seeking political asylum.

Below are summaries of the 2019 Learning Clusters:

The Culture of Peace | Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, Distinguished ��������ing Scholar

For Ambassador Chowdhury’s ninth year teaching his Culture of Peace learning cluster, his class presented an inspiring and educational table. The class studied the historical background and conceptual context of the culture of peace and its evolution within the United Nations system and the focus on women, children, peace and human security. The cluster’s table featured student-created, informative, and well-designed posters reflecting the class �������� including sustainable development goals and eight action areas to promote a culture of peace. 

Basic Science Laboratory Skills | Zahra Afrasiabi, Associate Professor of Chemistry

Science laboratories can be very complex and a little intimidating. In this learning cluster, we had a chance to help students learn basic laboratory skills and build their confidence by teaching how to apply different techniques for routine lab work. Students prepared several skincare products from natural ingredients in the lab, which provided an opportunity for them to practically use the theoretical knowledge gained in the course. It helped the students to investigative various skills and eventually apply them to a specific problem.

The Politics of Disneyland | Peter Burns, Professor of Political Science 

The learning cluster table on the topic of the Politics of Disneyland, taught by Professor Peter Burns, presented to the audience the idea of Disneyland park being an agent of political socialization, creating certain images and ideas that were imprinted within once perception of American political culture and American history. The table presented two posters with photos taken at the park representing ideas of patriotism, and cooperation with big corporations. The group also presented a short video clip, about different representations of American politics and history within the park. The video was centered around two most patriotic attractions at Disneyland, the “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” and the “Flag Retreat Ceremony.” Students at the table were eager to answer the questions of the audience and share their findings of the distorted, culturally erased, and white-centered representation of the US at Disneyland.​

Contributed by Arslan Kasimov, SUA student

Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | Monika Calef, Associate Professor of Physical Geography

In the Introduction to Geographic Information Systems learning cluster, students learned about performing spatial analyses using ArcGIS Pro by ESRI. For their final project, students got to create a map on a topic of their choice; this meant they had to find the data on their topic, convert it to make it match, and then create a meaningful and legible map. 

Spanish in California | Pablo Camus-Oyarzun, Assistant Professor of Spanish Language and Culture

In this learning cluster, students explored the relationship between language, culture, and space in Southern California. The group traveled to San Diego, Santa Ana, and Los Angeles where they interviewed bilingual high school students and explored the linguistic landscape of the Latino neighborhoods.

Marine and Coastal Citizen Science | Lisa Crummett, Assistant Professor of Biology

In the Marine and Coastal Citizen Science learning cluster, teams of three students showcased what they did for their final project with PowerPoint slides documenting their findings. Each student tackled a different issue related to human impacts on ocean environments that are either currently being addressed or could be addressed with citiz