My name is Hirsh Diamant, and I’ve been teaching at Evergreen for 26 years. I was born and raised in Kiev, Ukraine. I've lived and studied in many places, including Israel, China, Moscow, and New York. Since 1986 I have called Olympia my home. I am interested in traditional cultures, arts, health, Chinese philosophy, and medicine. At Evergreen, I’ve been developing curriculum in Silk Road studies and virtual tourism. I also teach classes in health and human development, including Arts and the Child.
Publications and awards include:
- "Learning from Online Cross-Cultural Exchange During the COVID 19 Pandemic," Ch. 14 in Online Education, ISTES, 2022
- "Silk Roads, Service Learning, and Myth Making," Ch. 9 in Teaching the Silk Road: A Guide for College Teachers, SUNY Press, 2010
- NEH Fellowship for Silk Roads studies, East West Center, Hawaii, 2006
- Extra Mile Award for innovative Visionary Teaching and Community Development, Secretary of State of Washington, 2005
Education
Ph.D., Arts in Education and Human Development, Union Institute & University, 1998; M.F.A., Photography and New Forms, Pratt Institute, 1978; B.F.A., Painting and Sculpture, Bezalel Academy of Fine Arts and Design, Israel, 1975; Technical Degree, Building and Architecture, Ukraine, 1964.
Teaching Style
My classes are interdisciplinary. Students are engaged in art making, community building, movement, meditation, and international connections. My goals are to empower students to strive for authenticity, academic excellence, health, and connection to place and the world.