City of Springfield
The City Thinks 2008: Considering China October 30 - November 18 |
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Library Events | Other Highlights | Gifford Lecture | Essay Contest | Resource Lists | Sponsors
Download the pdf program guide (4 pages, legal sized paper) or the program overview (1 page)
The City Thinks is a series of events focused on a Springfield Public Forum lecture topic, offered in collaboration with the Springfield City Library and other local educational and cultural organizations, sponsored by the American International College Honors Program. 
The City Thinks programming includes book discussion groups, movie screenings, cultural activities, and an essay contest.
The 2008 City Thinks program is entitled "Considering China." Beginning October 30 with a kick off lecture and reception with Yale Professor Paul Kennedy at American International College, the City Thinks programming culminates in the November 13 lecture with NPR Bureau Chief and China expert Rob Gifford. Mr. Gifford, a fluent speaker of Mandarin and long-time China correspondent for National Public Radio, is the author of the recently released "China Road: A Journey Into the Future of a Rising Power."
Please visit the Springfield Forum website for complete details and downloads relating to the City Thinks program and other Fall 2008 Forum lectures.
Click here to find a copy of China Road at a library near you. The audiobook is available on CD.
For more information about the 2008 City Thinks program, please contact Anna at abrandenburg@springfieldlibrary.org or 263-6828 x426.
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City Thinks events at the Springfield City Libraries
Book Discussion Groups: - Attend as many as you like!
The following meetings are open to the public; no registration needed.
Click here for a list of discussion questions for China Road. (PDF)
Click here for additional reading (and viewing) suggestions on the topic of China.
- Monday, November 3, 1:30-2:30 p.m. - East Forest Park Branch
- The East Forest Park Monday book group meets the first Monday of each month. Join them this month for a discussion of China Road.
- Wednesday, November 5, 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m - East Springfield Branch
- This group meets the first Wednesday of each month, and chooses a different genre (usually fiction) to read each month. This month's discussion will focus on China Road and other books set in, or about, China.
- Monday, November 17, 6:30-8:00 p.m. - Central Library
- This program is a special discussion to follow up on Gifford's November 13th lecture. Come share your thoughts on the lecture and the book! The discussion will be facilitated by Gary Lefort, Associate Professor and Chair of the International Business Department, American International College.
- Tuesday, November 18 , 6:00 -7:00 p.m. - Sixteen Acres Branch
- Join the monthly Sixteen Acres group for a discussion of China Road.
Film Screening of 2 Million Minutes
http://www.2mminutes.com
Saturday, November 15, 2:00 p.m. - Forest Park Branch
This film takes a deeper look at how the three superpowers of the 21st Century - China, India and the United States - are preparing their students for the future. As we follow two students - a boy and a girl - from each of these countries, we compose a global snapshot of education, from the viewpoint of kids preparing for their future.
Qi Gong / Tai Chi class
with Lijun Cheng, Head teacher of the
International Center for Harmony and Living Arts
Saturday, November 8, 9:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m. - Central Library
advance sign-ups suggested - click here to sign up online
Schedule of events (come for part or all of the activities!)
9:30 - 10:30: Qi Gong meditation - doors will be closed from 9:40 - 10:30.
10:30 - 10:45: Discussion of health topics
10:45 - 11:00: Chinese tea
11:00 - 12:00: Tai Chi exercises
Shaolin Kung Fu Demonstrations for Kids
Recommended for ages 5-13; all are welcome to observe.
presented by the Shaolin Kung Fu Center of Chicopee
Saturday, November 8, 1:00 p.m - Liberty Branch
Friday, November 14 , 3:00 p.m. - Forest Park Branch
Feng Shui Workshop
presented by Lynn Curry of Florence - Lynn will discuss the key concepts of Black Sect Feng Shui, the "Ba Gua" and the "command position" and their use in assessing a space.
Wednesday, November 12, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. - East Springfield Branch
advance sign-ups suggested - click here
Children Consider China
Drop in to one of the branches for crafts related to the theme:
Brightwood: Wednesday, November 5, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Central Library: Week of November 4-8, during open hours
East Forest Park: Tuesday, November 4, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
East Springfield: Friday, November 7, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Forest Park: Wednesday, November 12, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Indian Orchard: Wednesday, November 5, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Liberty: Thursday, November 6, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Mason Square: Week of November 10-14, during open hours
Pine Point: Thursday, November 6, 12:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Sixteen Acres: Saturday, November 1, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Other City Thinks event highlights:
(please note, not all of these events are free)
Thursday, October 30, 7 p.m. Kick-off Lecture
Paul Kennedy, distinguished author and Yale historian.
Dr. Kennedy is internationally known for his writings and commentaries on global political, economic, and strategic issues.
West Wing Gallery, Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center, American International College, 1000 State Street. 1-800-242-3142.
Sunday, November 2, 12:00 p.m. Chinese Dance and Music Performance
Featuring Julie Poon Lai, Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School students, and WenWei "Wayne" Wang, nationally recognized erhu (Chinese 2-stringed violin) player. (11:00 a.m. brunch for $6).
Advance registration
suggested - call 565-1066.
Bay Path College, Blake Student Commons Dining Room, 588 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow.
Thursday, November 6, 12:00 p.m. Lecture: "China Behind the Headlines"
with UMass Chinese History professor Steven Platt
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World Affairs Council Instant Issues Brown Bag Lunch. Free for students. Advance registration requested (via their website, or email cmelcher@worldaffairscouncil.com)
Sovereign Bank Community Room, 1350 Main Street, 2nd floor.
Sunday, November 9, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Celebrate China: Weekend Family Fun program at Springfield Museums
Learn about Chinese culture with a marionette performance of The Dragon King, martial arts demonstrations, and craft workshops.
Visit the Museums' website for all the details.
Friday, November 21 and Saturday, November 22: Asian Flowers and Arts - Springfield Garden Club
Includes flower arranging, origami, cooking classes, etc.
For details, call 599-0432 or 525-5887. Download the pdf flyer.
Public Forum Lecture by NPR Bureau Chief Rob Gifford
"China Road: A Journey into the Future of a Rising Power"
November 13, 2008- 7:30 p.m., Springfield Symphony Hall
Free and open to the public; no reservations required
China, with its rising political, economic and environmental influence, is an increasingly important player on the world stage. Speaker Rob Gifford provides an in-depth and personal look at today's China, detailing the current political, economic and social situation in China with important context provided by historical background and personal stories.
Rob Gifford served as NPR's China correspondent from 1999-2005 and now serves as NPR's London Bureau Chief. His first book, China Road: A Journey into the Future of a Rising Power , was published earlier this year.
A fluent speaker of Mandarin Chinese, Gifford has traveled throughout China, from Tibet to the Muslim Northwest, to the border with North Korea, filing news and feature stories for NPR News. Gifford also has traveled widely in East Asia for NPR, covering elections in Taiwan and East Timor, diplomatic visits to North Korea, and has produced a range of features on everything from Christian missionaries in Mongolia to Internet start-ups in Hong Kong.
Two days after the terrorist attacks on the US on 9/11, Gifford flew to Pakistan for the first of many reporting trips to the region and has continued to widely reporting on Islamic issues from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Southern Philippines.
Gifford was born and raised in the U.K. where he worked for three years at the BBC World Service before moving to the US in 1994 to attend graduate school. He also spent two years at NPR member station WGBH in Boston. He holds a BA in Chinese Studies from Durham University, UK, and an MA in Regional Studies (East Asia) from Harvard University.
Essay Contest: Considering China - Its Past, Present, and Future as a Rising Power
Due Date: Friday, October 10, 2008 by 5:00 pm in both electronic AND paper format.
Consider China's rise on the international stage in a wide range of areas: the global economy, politics/foreign affairs, the environ-ment and human rights among others. Referencing one or more of these topics and using specific examples, build an argument and answer the question:
"Does China represent a threat or an opportunity? Why?"
For students 12 - 21 years old.
Essays should not exceed 500 words and should include facts and a bibliography.
Four judging categories: Grades 6-8, 9-10, 11-12 and college level.
Winners will have the opportunity to read their essays at The City Thinks Kick-Off event on Thursday, October 30 at the AIC Auditorium Art Gallery and will receive two tickets for the private dinner with NPR correspondent Rob Gifford on October 13. In addition, copies of the winning speeches will be available to all audience members at Gifford's October 13 lecture, and winners will receive recognition at the speech and in the press.
Download and print the complete guidelines and entry form, or pick up a copy at your nearest Library Branch.
Download the essay contest flyer.
Resource Lists The City Thinks 2008: Considering China: program information on the website of the Springfield Forum
Discussion questions for China Road (one-page printable pdf)
Springfield City Library Booklist: Fiction Set in Mainland China
Springfield City Library Booklist: China: Recommended Recent Nonfiction
Springfield City Library Booklist: The City's Children Consider China
Springfield City Library Film List: Cinema from Mainland China
Resources for Educators from the Five College Center for East Asian Studies: including examples of videos, books, and curriculum guides focusing on Chinese history, art, and culture. (one-page printable pdf)
Resources for Educators from the Springfield Forum website: with live links to multimedia resources on China.
Thank you to the 2008 City Thinks sponsors!
American International College Honors Program
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Media sponsor:
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American International College 
Center for International Studies
17 New South Street, Suite 205
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 582-0407
www.cisabroad.com
CIS offers safe, challenging and life-changing study abroad experiences in China and other countries around the world.
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