MEDIA CONTACT: Frederick Douglass Institute (585) 275-7235 or Sharon Dickman (585) 275-4128

November 14, 2002

EVENT: Work in Progress Seminar with Sonia V. James-Wilson, instructor at the Margaret Warner Graduate School of Education and Human Development

TIME, DATE, AND PLACE: 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, at the Frederick Douglass Institute for African and African-American Studies, Morey 302, on the University of Rochester's River Campus

ADMISSION: Free and open to the public

Sonia V. James-Wilson, instructor at the Margaret Warner Graduate School of Education and Human Development, will discuss the ways in which elementary school students frame and conceptualize notions of "the ghetto" at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, in Morey 302 at the Frederick Douglass Institute for African and African-American Studies on the University of Rochester's River Campus.

James-Wilson will draw on the findings of a classroom-based study as well as explore some of the historical uses of the term, and critically examine how the idea of "the ghetto" has been taken up within popular culture to sell products and perpetuate stereotypes.

Her presentation is part of the Frederick Douglass Institute's Work in Progress Seminar Series, a multi-disciplinary seminar on topics related to Africa and its Diaspora. The seminars offer an environment where students and faculty working in the broad area of African and African-American Studies can present and discuss their research.

The talk is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact the Frederick Douglass Institute at x5-7235.

About the University of Rochester

The University of Rochester (www.rochester.edu) is one of the nation's leading private universities. Located in Rochester, N.Y., the University gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty through its unique cluster-based curriculum. Its College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering is complemented by the Eastman School of Music, Simon School of Business, Warner School of Education, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, and the Memorial Art Gallery.

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