Clarke to Present Environmental Film Series
July 27, 2015:
The protection of the Earth’s environment and the conservation of its natural resources are an ever-growing concern both locally and globally. With that in mind, Clarke University will partner with several area agencies to present an Environmental Film Series during the 2015-16 academic year.
REAP is supported by the state of Iowa, providing funding to public and private partners for natural and cultural resources and projects, including water quality, wildlife habitat, soil conservation, parks, trails, historic preservation and more.
In September, October, November, January, February and April, Clarke will show a film that addresses an environmental issue impacting us today. Each film will feature a community partner who will lead a discussion afterwards. Partners will showcase their services and be available as a resource to those attending. Each session will be followed up with a “call to action.”
The film schedule is as follows (all films will be shown in Jansen Hall on the Clarke campus):
Thursday, Sept. 3, 7 p.m. – “Food Chains,” sponsored by the Dubuque Food Co-op.
Thursday, Oct. 8, 7 p.m. – “Chasing Ice,” sponsored by Green Dubuque.
Thursday, Nov. 12, 6:30 p.m. – “The Lorax,” sponsored by the Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Association.
Thursday, Feb. 25, 7 p.m. – “Last Call at the Oasis,” sponsored by the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium.
Thursday, April 7, time TBD – Showing of top submitted films.
The last film session in April will be unique in that students, families and community members create their own environmental film. Winners of this film contest will be able to present their video and ideas to others and make their own “call to action.”
“At the conclusion of Clarke’s film series, audiences will have gained knowledge and awareness of environmental issues, be cognizant of available resources in their community and have the opportunity to put their knowledge to use through calls to action, opportunities for additional interaction and learning with the local community partners, and creation of their own film,” said Andrea Bixler, Clarke associate professor of Biology.
The Environmental Film Series will be open to Clarke students, faculty, staff and families along with Dubuque communities, including high school and middle school students and faculty.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources REAP CEP grant will also help Clarke introduce its new major in the fast-growing field of Environmental Studies.
Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary program that focuses on using the tools of the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities to solve problems in resource depletion and environmental degradation, which in turn affect human welfare. All students at Clarke will take basic biology, chemistry, economics and sociology, but then they will have a choice of where to place their focus by choosing an emphasis in the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities or business and professional programs.
Many companies are very interested in “the triple bottom line” (people, planet profit) and are looking for employees with a background in sustainability. There are a variety of careers available to bachelors-trained graduates.
For more information, contact the Clarke University Marketing and Communication Office at (563)588-6318.