Culture Shock, an innovative and entertaining diversity program, will be presented at Missouri Western State University at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8 in the Kemper Recital Hall inside Spratt Hall. The program is free and open to the public.
Culture Shock, presented by Cultural Competence of Chicago, Illinois, uses hypnosis and comedy to expose racial, cultural and gender stereotypes in a variety of situations. Random participants are hypnotized to believe that they are no longer their race, gender, or culture, but instead a completely different cultural background. For example, an African American student may be hypnotized to think they are Hispanic, and then placed in a scenario in which their subconscious plays out specific stereotypes of the Hispanic culture.
Diversity facilitators will lead an eye-opening debriefing that will enhance the students’ cultural awareness, and challenge them to promote an inclusive environment on their campus and in their communities.
Culture Shock is sponsored by the Center for Multicultural Education, International Student Services and the Student Government Association. For more information, contact CME at 816-271-4150 or cme@missouriwestern.edu.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.