D&E sponsoring India Institute for Teachers

The Davis & Elkins College Center for Spirituality, Ethics and Global Awareness (CSEGA) has received a $25,000 grant from the West Virginia Humanities Council in support of its Summer 2010 India Institute for Teachers.

Twenty West Virginia teachers will be selected to receive partial scholarships toward a study trip in India in July under the leadership of Dr. Chandana Chakrabarti, dean of international programs and director of CSEGA.

"India is one of the oldest civilizations in the world with a rich heritage of religion, culture, tradition, science and technology," Chakrabarti said. "We want to reach out to West Virginia teachers who want to learn more about India but need added resources to bring them face-to-face with a truly wonderful people and country."

The institute will give the selected teachers a total immersion experience, beginning with three days of study on the D&E campus and continuing with a tour of Delhi and Agra, including visits to Parliament House, renowned temples, a carpet factory and the iconic Taj Mahal. Applications to the Institute are due Jan. 25.

Scholars who will be teaching include: Dr. Chandana Chakrabarti; Dr. Kisor Chakrabarti, professor and chair of religion and philosophy at Davis & Elkins College; Dr. Helen Benigni, professor of English; Akhlaque Ahmad, professor in the Centre of Persian and Central Asian studies, School of Language, Literature and Culture Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Dehli; Dr. Ratna Lahiri, author and scholar at the Asian Center of the University of Philippines, Manila; and Dr. H.K. Hazra, emeritus professor of the University of Agra with specialties in Indian culture, science and medicine.

The complete India Institute for Teachers schedule includes:

June 18-20 - Davis & Elkins College, Elkins: Introduction to Indian Society and Culture; Overview of Hinduism; Overview of Indian History and Contribution to Science and Technology; Role of Numbers in Indian System; Role of Education in Indian Culture; Indian Lunch; Introduction to Indian Languages; Movies and discussion.

July 16-23 - Study trip to IndiaDelhi/Agra: Visit Delhi high schools. Discussion of curriculum, examination techniques; Tour of Old and New Delhi: India Gate, Parliament House; Family visit; Islam in India: Architecture, Literature and Society; Hindu deities and temples; Birla and Bahai temples; Soamibag; Presentation on Indian Religion, Science and Medicine; Taj Mahal; Agra Fort: Study of Mughal Art and Architecture; Marble Museum and carpet factory; Akshayadham Temple.

For more information, visit the Davis & Elkins College Web site: www.davisandelkins.edu/csega.indiainstituteforteachers.cfm, or call Dr. Chandana Chakarabarti at 30-637-1293.

The Davis & Elkins College India Institute for Teachers is being presented with financial assistance from the West Virginia Humanities Council, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.