(Posted September 14, 2015)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Oftentimes the principles of diversity can only be unlocked unless viewers see it in action, which is the focus of the presentation at Juniata College of "Reel Diversity," where the conversation about racial, religious, gender, and socio-economic tolerance is framed through clips from popular movies, at 6 and 8 p.m., Sept. 16, in the ballroom of Ellis Hall.

The presentation is free.

Brian Johnson, director of the Frederick Douglass Institute for Academic Excellence at Bloomsburg University, will show clips from acclaimed films and then lead discussions on the messages such vignettes consciously or unconciously give.

By looking at movie clips, Johnson will define the concept of diversity through cultural values, expressions of identity, similarity and societal differences. Participants will be able to see the symbols, language, norms and values of American society refelected in the scenes actedout onscreen.

Johnson is a faculty member in the Department of Developmental Instruction at Bloomsburg University. He is a co-author of "Reel Diversity: A Teacher's Sourcebook," which received the 2009 Chinn Book Award from the National Association for Multicultural Education. He also wrote "We've Scene it All Before: Using Film Clips in Diversity Awareness Training."

Johnson earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in English from California University of Pennsylvania. He also is a doctoral candidate in communications media and instructional technology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.