Human Rights and Performance

Simpson Colloquium SC 201-B:  “Human Rights and Performance”
M  W  F  10:20 AM – 11:20 AM

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, set forth over 60 years ago by the United Nations, states in its first article that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.  They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act toward one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”  This course will explore global human rights issues as portrayed in film and theatre.  Through the examination of various films and plays the course will allow students to consider whether art helps to create a deeper understanding of injustices through the depiction of individual stories.  Does the telling of individual stories help encourage a critical examination and deeper analysis of the issue and also motivate individuals to denounce human rights abuses and advocate for change?  Some of the films and plays students will examine include Hotel Rwanda, Erin Brockovich, Milk, Execution of Justice, and Ruined .

Jennifer NostralaMeet Your Professor

Jennifer Nostrala, M.F.A.
Professor of Theatre Arts

Jennifer Ross Nostrala, professor of theatre arts, has been teaching at Simpson the past twenty years.  In that time she has taught courses in theatre performance (acting, directing, and movement); discovering theatre; women and theatre; and the women’s studies seminar.

She has directed over 40 productions and her recent directing credits at Simpson include Back Story, The Servant of Two Masters, A Year with Frog and Toad, Antigone: Speaking Truth, One Flea Spare,  and Hamlet . In January of 2010 she received a certificate of merit from The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region V for directing for  The Servant of Two Masters.  May of 2010 she directed Neil LaBute’s Fat Pig at the Des Moines Social Club. For several years she served as the faculty supervisor for the Simpson V-Day College campaign and through this project has raised thousands of dollars for the Warren County Domestic Violence Coalition.

Shannon Barondeau StudentMeet Your Destination Leader
Shannon Barondeau

Hello, my name is Shannon Barondeau and I will be the Destination Leader for “Human Rights and Performance”.
I will be a Sophomore this fall, and I am a Theatre major with a minor in Integrated Marketing and Women’s Studies. In addition to being involved in theatre, I am also involved in Comic Book Club and my sorority Delta Delta Delta.

The things I like to do in my spare time are reading, hanging out with my friends, going dancing and taking walks. My absolute favorite thing to do is napping. Sometimes naps are necessary for life! I am originally from Denison, Iowa, which is about two and a half hours away, and if you have never heard of it, I understand!

I love it here at Simpson and I can’t wait until I get to meet all of you and help you get to know our school. If you have any questions or want to contact me I am on Facebook and Twitter.

Deaven Swainey StudentMeet Your Writing Fellow
Deaven Swainey

I am a senior from Keokuk, Iowa, pursuing majors in Music Performance and French.

I’ve been at Simpson since 2009 and have participated in six opera productions since coming.

Music is my greatest passion, but I also love reading and writing as hobbies. When I return to Simpson in the fall, I will have just returned from studying in Paris during the summer term.

See you in the fall!