institute of world cultures programs

Saturday, January 21, 2023
2:00 – 4:00 pm
In-person and Live Webcast (both begin at 2:00 pm)
Concord House, 1407 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara, CA
Speaker: Michael Kourosh, Santa Barbara Design Center

Local design dignitary Michael Kourosh will give a presentation on the craftsmanship, beauty, and symbolism of Persian carpets. The symbolism of Persian carpets is handed down from generation to generation, extending back to before the Common Era. That symbolism often uses the imagery of nature to depict universal themes. But the symbolism is rich and varied, and may represent a variety of other motifs. The presentation will included photos as well as carpet samples.

Saturday, February 4, 2023
2:00 – 4:00 pm
Concord Hall, 1407 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara, CA
In- person and Live Webcast
Speaker: Ya Zuo, Department of History, UC Santa Barbara

IKnowledge has a fundamental role in Neo-Confucian philosophy, and “knowing” is a mandatory procedure via which one reaches the ultimate goal of Neo-Confucianism, the perfection of moral cultivation. A Neo-Confucian exercises her moral agency via knowing with the aspiration of attaining the Way (dao), the state of constant and spontaneous sagacity. In this talk, Ya Zuo will introduce the Neo-Confucian theory of knowledge and explain how it relates to personal fulfillment and flourishing.

Ya Zuo is an associate professor of History at University of California, Santa Barbara. She received her Ph.D. in history from Princeton University. She is a cultural and intellectual historian of middle-period and early modern China. Her first book, Shen Gua’s Empiricism (Harvard University Press, 2018) is a study of historical theory of knowledge, and she has also authored several articles which engage a wide and diverse spectrum of topics, such as the history of emotions, sensory history, medical history, musicology, and book history. Click here for Ya Zuo's CV

Forum
International Politics, Transnational Economics,
Environmental Crisis: Ethical and Sustainable Choices

Saturday, February 18, 2023
2:00 – 4:00 pm
Concord Hall, 1407 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara, CA
In person and Live webcast (both begin at 2:00 pm)*
Presenters: Carolyn Dorrance and Maurice Bisheff

"My country is the world and my religion is to do good." – Tom Paine

In this forum, significant global developments of political, economic, and environmental realities will be explored from the perspective of interdependence. Multiple modes of interdependence are shaping, indeed transforming, the lives of citizens and the goals and values of institutions around the world. In doing so, the very shape and aims of interdependence are changing rapidly. Health crises, chaotic migrations, and communication technologies also challenge our responses to interdependence on the macro and micro levels. Ethical as well as sustainable choices must be made to improve the quality of interdependence. While new opportunities are pursued in political, economic, and environmental activities, traditional political forms and limited cultural values are restricting the practical use of these new opportunities. While nations states guard their national interests and psychologies, transnational actors such as corporations, NGOs and volunteer activists create new realities with new problems as well as benefits. Is there an emerging world culture to help us reduce violent conflicts and enervating inequalities? How do we avoid environmental devastation? Attendees will be encouraged to ask questions and propose remedies so that an environment nourishing to human potential and social harmony as well as progress can and does emerge.

Forum
The Character and Teaching of the Ukrainian Philosopher Gryhoriy Skovoroda

Saturday, March 4, 2023
10:00 am Pacific Standard Time (8:00 pm Ukraine Time)*
Zoom presentation only*

Presenter: Professor Juliia Shabonova, Department of Philosophy & Pedagogy, Dnipro Technical University and Head of the Ukraine Institute of World Culture, Dnipro, Ukraine

"Everything will be difficult if there is no dream." – Gryhoriy Skovoroda

Speaking to us via Zoom from Dnipro, Ukraine, Professor Juliia Shabanova will give a presentation about the 18th Century Ukrainian philosopher, Gryhoriy Skovoroda. Sometimes characterized as the Ukrainian Socrates, Skovoroda’s teaching and philosophy focused on the ancient injunction “Know thyself.” Professor Shabanova will give a biographical sketch of the myths and reality of his life, and then focus on his philosophical views on balance, unequal equality, and the importance of the heart and congeniality in work.

Liudmula Kovtun will be the interpreter for Professor Shabanova.

Members of the Institute This forum will be a Zoom link. Non-members may request a link by emailing: donna@worldculture.org
The presentation will also be recorded and made available on our IWC YouTube channel for future viewing: https://www.youtube.com/user/iwcinsantabarbara/live

Forum
SAVE THE DATE: Earth Day Forum

Image Credit: National Park Service,: Yellowstone National Park

Saturday, April 8, 2023
2:00 – 4:00 pm Pacific Standard Time
1407 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara, CA
In persona and Live Webcast*
Presenter: Professor Liz Carlisle, Environmental Studies, UC Santa Barbara

In celebration of Earth Day, Liz Carlisle, Assistant Professor in Environmental Studies at UC Santa Barbara, will talk about the deep roots of regeneratve farming. Through stories of Afro-American, Latinx, Native American and Asian small farmers, we will learn how methods of growing food which focus on cooperation and reciprocity in nature are being rediscovered and applied today in a variety of contexts to create healthy, balanced ecosystems. Dr. Carlisle's latest book is entitled "Healing Grounds: Climate, Justice, and the Deep Roots of Regenerative Farming".

*This forum will be both live webcast and in person, both starting at 2:00 pm PST. and will also be recorded and made available on our IWC YouTube channel for future viewing: https://www.youtube.com/user/iwcinsantabarbara/live
Click here for a printer-friendly flyer


	Institute of World Culture Program for 2023 Theme for the Year Interdependence, Diversity, and Imagination Forum The Symbolism of the Persian Carpet Saturday, January 21, 2023 2:00 – 4:00 pm In-person and Live Webcast (both begin at 2:00 pm) Concord House, 1407 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara, CA Speaker: Michael Kourosh, Santa Barbara Design Center Local design dignitary Michael Kourosh will give a presentation on the craftsmanship, beauty, and symbolism of Persian carpets. The symbolism of Persian carpets is handed down from generation to generation, extending back to before the Common Era. That symbolism often uses the imagery of nature to depict universal themes. But the symbolism is rich and varied, and may represent a variety of other motifs. The presentation will included photos as well as carpet samples. This talk will be live webcast and in person and will be recorded and made available on our IWC YouTube channel: Link:https://www.youtube.com/user/iwcinsantabarbara/live Click here for a printer-friendly flyer Forum Knowledge and Knowing in Neo-Confucianism Saturday, February 4, 2023 2:00 – 4:00 pm Concord Hall, 1407 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara, CA In- person and Live Webcast Speaker: Ya Zuo, Department of History, UC Santa Barbara IKnowledge has a fundamental role in Neo-Confucian philosophy, and “knowing” is a mandatory procedure via which one reaches the ultimate goal of Neo-Confucianism, the perfection of moral cultivation. A Neo-Confucian exercises her moral agency via knowing with the aspiration of attaining the Way (dao), the state of constant and spontaneous sagacity. In this talk, Ya Zuo will introduce the Neo-Confucian theory of knowledge and explain how it relates to personal fulfillment and flourishing. Ya Zuo is an associate professor of History at University of California, Santa Barbara. She received her Ph.D. in history from Princeton University. She is a cultural and intellectual historian of middle-period and early modern China. Her first book, Shen Gua’s Empiricism (Harvard University Press, 2018) is a study of historical theory of knowledge, and she has also authored several articles which engage a wide and diverse spectrum of topics, such as the history of emotions, sensory history, medical history, musicology, and book history. Click here for Ya Zuo's CV This talk will be live webcast and in person and will be recorded and made available on our IWC YouTube channel: Link:https://www.youtube.com/user/iwcinsantabarbara/live Click here for a printer-friendly flyer Forum International Politics, Transnational Economics, Environmental Crisis: Ethical and Sustainable Choices Saturday, February 18, 2023 2:00 – 4:00 pm Concord Hall, 1407 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara, CA In person and Live webcast (both begin at 2:00 pm)* Presenters: Carolyn Dorrance and Maurice Bisheff "My country is the world and my religion is to do good." – Tom Paine In this forum, significant global developments of political, economic, and environmental realities will be explored from the perspective of interdependence. Multiple modes of interdependence are shaping, indeed transforming, the lives of citizens and the goals and values of institutions around the world. In doing so, the very shape and aims of interdependence are changing rapidly. Health crises, chaotic migrations, and communication technologies also challenge our responses to interdependence on the macro and micro levels. Ethical as well as sustainable choices must be made to improve the quality of interdependence. While new opportunities are pursued in political, economic, and environmental activities, traditional political forms and limited cultural values are restricting the practical use of these new opportunities. While nations states guard their national interests and psychologies, transnational actors such as corporations, NGOs and volunteer activists create new realities with new problems as well as benefits. Is there an emerging world culture to help us reduce violent conflicts and enervating inequalities? How do we avoid environmental devastation? Attendees will be encouraged to ask questions and propose remedies so that an environment nourishing to human potential and social harmony as well as progress can and does emerge. This forum will be both live webcast and in person, and will also be recorded and made available on our IWC YouTube channel for future viewing: https://www.youtube.com/user/iwcinsantabarbara/live Click here for a printer-friendly flyer Forum* The Character and Teaching of the Ukrainian Philosopher Gryhoriy Skovoroda Saturday, March 4, 2023 10:00 am Pacific Standard Time (8:00 pm Ukraine Time)* Zoom presentation only* Presenter: Professor Juliia Shabonova, Department of Philosophy & Pedagogy, Dnipro Technical University and Head of the Ukraine Institute of World Culture, Dnipro, Ukraine "Everything will be difficult if there is no dream." – Gryhoriy Skovoroda Speaking to us via Zoom from Dnipro, Ukraine, Professor Juliia Shabanova will give a presentation about the 18th Century Ukrainian philosopher, Gryhoriy Skovoroda. Sometimes characterized as the Ukrainian Socrates, Skovoroda’s teaching and philosophy focused on the ancient injunction “Know thyself.” Professor Shabanova will give a biographical sketch of the myths and reality of his life, and then focus on his philosophical views on balance, unequal equality, and the importance of the heart and congeniality in work. Liudmula Kovtun will be the interpreter for Professor Shabanova. Members of the Institute This forum will be a Zoom link. Non-members may request a link by emailing: donna@worldculture.org The presentation will also be recorded and made available on our IWC YouTube channel for future viewing: https://www.youtube.com/user/iwcinsantabarbara/live Forum SAVE THE DATE: Earth Day Forum Image Credit: National Park Service,: Yellowstone National Park Saturday, April 8, 2023 2:00 – 4:00 pm Pacific Standard Time 1407 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara, CA In persona and Live Webcast* Presenter: Professor Liz Carlisle, Environmental Studies, UC Santa Barbara In celebration of Earth Day, Liz Carlisle, Assistant Professor in Environmental Studies at UC Santa Barbara, will talk about the deep roots of regeneratve farming. Through stories of Afro-American, Latinx, Native American and Asian small farmers, we will learn how methods of growing food which focus on cooperation and reciprocity in nature are being rediscovered and applied today in a variety of contexts to create healthy, balanced ecosystems. Dr. Carlisle's latest book is entitled "Healing Grounds: Climate, Justice, and the Deep Roots of Regenerative Farming". *This forum will be both live webcast and in person, both starting at 2:00 pm PST. and will also be recorded and made available on our IWC YouTube channel for future viewing: https://www.youtube.com/user/iwcinsantabarbara/live Click here for a printer-friendly flyer