Professor Alejandro Leopardi participated in the Montgomery College Smithsonian Faculty Fellowship Program in 2018. The central theme for Prof. Leopardi’s ENGL 101A (Intro to College Writing) class for the fall semester was “Democracy and the Foreign Experience.” Students learned how democracy can be seen and experienced in every aspect of U.S. culture. Many students have the idea that democracy is just a form of government and does not have any effect on certain aspects of society, and this includes art. By visiting the National Portrait Gallery, learning about the exhibits and some of the portraits, students were enlightened to the idea that even portraits, and their subjects, demonstrate various facets of a culture, including democratic ideals. Students were also able to see parts of themselves reflected in the portraits, illustrating the pervasiveness of democracy.
Broadcast In: English Duration: 0:16:24