By Josie Salazar
and Stephen Burgers
City Times
City College’s Behavioral Sciences and Sociology departments held two Student Symposiums on April 18 and May 2 in D-121 and Gorton Quad to speak about current issues that affect society today.
The International Border Studies Symposium on April 18 was the first at City College and included students from Tijuana’s CETYS Universidad. Students from both colleges focused on issues related with the United States and Mexico border. Students gave PowerPoint presentations about their chosen topic, educating their audience of student and faculty about the unresolved issues at the Border.
Zack Bachman, Philosophy Major at City presented issues with States borders and borders as properties from a Marxist perspective. He said that for there to be social justice people would need to look beyond borders and unite as a global community.
“I hope that maybe one person will start to look at the root of all our social problems – that it’s selfishness,” Bachman said about what he hoped to teach his audience.
Francisco Moreno, sociology professor and club advisor who helped to organize both Symposiums said that the event was important to help build bridges and create relationships between borders.
“The most important part of this symposium is to create leaders that understand both sides of the border.” Moreno said.
The Learning Resource Center and Tijuana’s CETYS Universidad also sponsored the event on April 18.
The May 2 event was City’s Third Annual Student Symposium, organized by Moreno and the Sociology Department. It was another opportunity for students to present their research about current issues related to sociological and economical relationships and show case their essays on bulletin boards through out Gorton Quad.
“I recommend students to participate in public speaking,” said student Giselle Covington. “I felt honored to participate.”
Will Fuentez, Urban Studies and Planning Major, who’s topic was about America’s perception of legal and illegal immigration said that he was grateful for the opportunity to present his essay at both symposiums.
“I wanted to understand why there are some people with negative perceptions of immigration and at the same time, why there is a large portion of the United Sates that do embrace cultural diversity,” Fuentez said about explaining his research topic.
Both symposiums gave students an outlet so they could feel comfortable in speaking out about issues that concern them and their peers. Moreno said he hopes that both symposiums will continue every semester.