Why: Requested and sponsored by the Provost’s OfficeProfessor to hold seminar on world musicn Unorthodox methods teach culture through instruments

Kuo-Huang Han wants to expose the student body to the world of music.

The Presidential Teaching Award winner from NIU’s School of Music will host a seminar titled, “Everyone Can Learn World Music: My Approach to World Music Teaching,” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the Holmes Student Center’s Regency Room.

The seminar is sponsored by the Office of the Provost, which awarded Han for the years of 1998 to 2002.

“I use an unorthodox way to approach my students,” Han said.

During the seminar, Han plans on demonstrating several of his teaching approaches. They include technology, links between historical and contemporary music, cultural beliefs, class involvement and a vast array of unique instruments.

“Dr. Han does a great job of showing students the different kinds of music all over the world,” said Murali Krishnamurthi, director of faculty development. “Through music, he teaches students to respect different cultures.”

In the past 26 years, Han has collected two roomfuls of instruments from all over the world. Some of the instruments he employs in the classroom include: a nose flute from southeast Asia, an angklung from Indonesia and a pungi, used by snake charmers.

Han uses the instruments to illustrate the traditions and beliefs of the regions they were made in. Han also teaches his students using items like ethnic candies or Web pages that allow students to “play” foreign instruments online.

“They get to learn not only the instrument, but also the culture,” Han said.

Christine Welch, administrative secretary to the vice provost, said teachers who win a Presidential Teaching Award are asked to conduct a seminar on their teaching methods at the end of the four-year award period.

The seminar is arranged by the Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center and is open to everyone. Refreshments are provided from 11:30 a.m. to noon. The presentation and question-and-answer portion will follow until 1 p.m.