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Star War’s 'The Mandalorian' and Intercultural Competency for the 21st Century Traveler with Dr. Kristin Stasiowski

Star War’s 'The Mandalorian' and Intercultural Competency for the 21st Century Traveler with Dr. Kristin Stasiowski


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

Discover a “bounty” of cultural empathy and awareness through an exploration of the central ideas of intercultural competency as depicted in Star War’s live-action television series, The Mandalorian.

Beneath the Beskar steel of “Mando” and the adorable green-ness of baby Yoda in Star War’s streaming live-action series, The Mandalorian, are profound and relevant lessons about how to navigate challenges in a complex and difficult-to-understand world. The snap, crackle, and pop of this space western television show rests on the more subtle and enduring intercultural competencies of its main protagonist as he struggles to negotiate with foreigners; trade with natives; and survive in strange, new destinations while maintaining a strong connection to his own culturally relevant history and perspective.

This conversation will highlight how The Mandalorian demonstrates the importance of intercultural communication skills, cultural humility, and the ability to develop empathy, amongst other things. We will also discuss how slow, intentional travel and tourism can help you achieve “a bounty” of truly incredible value: the ability to find your way in the universe.

Led by an expert in International Education, Kristin Stasiowski, Ph.D., this interactive seminar will introduce participants to Star War’s The Mandalorian through an in-depth discussion of how the television show has adopted and adapted traditional lessons of intercultural competency. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of the ways The Mandalorian and teach us to be better travelers in an endless universe of new cultures.

Kristin Stasiowski, Ph.D. is the Assistant Dean of International Programs and Education Abroad for the College of Arts and Sciences and is also an Assistant Professor of Italian Language and Literature in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages at Kent State University. She received her Ph.D. from Yale University in Italian Language and Literature and has taught Italian language, literature, cinema, history, and culture in both Florence, Italy, and at Kent State. She recently published a chapter entitled "A Divine Comedy for All Time: Dante's Enduring Relevance for the Contemporary Reader" in Italian Pop Culture: Media, Product, Imageries. Rome, Italy: Viella Editrice s.r.. Her current research is focused on Dante, Boccaccio, and the modern poet Clemente Rebora.

Not suitable for children under age 13 (sensitive content).

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 5 reviews
80%
(4)
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A
Anonymous (Torres, BR)

Guest did not leave comment

C
Carrie (Alameda, US)
Intergalactic / Intercultural fun

This was such a fun talk! I never thought that I could relate my own travel experiences to those of Mando interacting with some Jawas... but of course Kristin showed me the way. I love how she explored a universe that I've always thought of as 'just entertainment,' and opened my eyes to the deeper learnings to be had. Now I have a new, more fascinating lens with which to view one of my favorite shows the next time I watch it!

A
Anonymous (Porto Alegre, BR)

Guest did not leave comment

S
Schneider Michael (Rochester, US)

Guest did not leave comment

J
J (Vancouver, CA)
Using contemporary culture to elaborate on academic concepts

The TV series makes the points so well and quietly without wordy overheads of other academics' opinions. More elaboration of the strategies used by the scriptwriters in the series would have worked better for me.

Customer Reviews

Based on 5 reviews
80%
(4)
0%
(0)
20%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
A
Anonymous (Torres, BR)

Guest did not leave comment

C
Carrie (Alameda, US)
Intergalactic / Intercultural fun

This was such a fun talk! I never thought that I could relate my own travel experiences to those of Mando interacting with some Jawas... but of course Kristin showed me the way. I love how she explored a universe that I've always thought of as 'just entertainment,' and opened my eyes to the deeper learnings to be had. Now I have a new, more fascinating lens with which to view one of my favorite shows the next time I watch it!

A
Anonymous (Porto Alegre, BR)

Guest did not leave comment

S
Schneider Michael (Rochester, US)

Guest did not leave comment

J
J (Vancouver, CA)
Using contemporary culture to elaborate on academic concepts

The TV series makes the points so well and quietly without wordy overheads of other academics' opinions. More elaboration of the strategies used by the scriptwriters in the series would have worked better for me.