Speaking the Culture of the Middle East: Experiential Learning Program for Future Secondary Education Teachers, is a unique learning experience designed for twelve teachers to learn about the Middle East as a nexus of humanity both influencing and reacting to geopolitical paradigms past and present and to learn the language spoken in the region, Levantine colloquial Arabic, at an intermediate-low level. By the end of the program, teachers will be able to communicate across cultures, enhancing their ability to educate about other cultures, specifically Arab and Islamic, in their respective classrooms and to serve as trainers of the subject matter in the future. The program will focus on Arabic language learning (both in-the-classroom and co-curricular), in addition to area study content, and volunteering with a non-profit education organizations. The area study content has been selected for integration into a secondary curriculum in the social sciences, language and visual arts, and/or foreign language departments, depending on the educator’s interest.
Events
Saturday, March 15
Tuesday, March 18
This talk examines this process of global diffusion, highlighting the specific role played by European activists. Given the diversity of countries where same-sex marriage is currently under discussion, structural causes once put forward to explain the emergence of same-sex marriage in Western societies must now be challenged. This talk thus argues that more complex explanations are now necessary, and suggests two new factors that must be taken into account: first, the insertion of same-sex marriage within global politics (which also explains Putin’s resistance to LGBT rights), and, second, the increasingly legal nature of marriage claims compared to earlier claims to civil or domestic partnership. Although debates on same-sex marriage are now global, this talk also discusses Europe’s specific role in the globalization of this debate, as the continent remains the main region where same-sex couples are allowed to marry.
Responses to the lecture will be given by Dr. Helma de Vries-Jordan, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, and Anthony C. Infanti, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law, University of Pittsburgh.
This event is part of the research theme Gender and the Global sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh Women's Studies Program.
Wednesday, March 19
The Model African Union (MAU) simulation is hosted by the African Studies Program at the University of Pittsburgh for High School Students from the Pittsburgh Schools.
Students put themselves in the shoes of African delegates taking on the role of governments from a specific African country. They have to imagine policy that would be in this country's best interest. The MAU simulation experience is similar in procedure to the Model United Nations, Model AU challenges students to think about and make decisions in the best interest of a strong and united Africa. While Africa is often under-represented in the United Nations, Model AU puts Africa and African policy center-stage. Africa is also seen in the context of the UN, as a continent that needs help and support from outside, "first world" nations. Model AU shifts focus to think about what Africa can do for Africa.
The paper investigates the potential effects of euro adoption on the Polish economy. It analyses how a replacement of the national currency -zloty, and therefore an elimination of a real exchange rate, affects output fluctuations. In the paper, we develop a utility-based theoretical framework to provide a metric for judgment of alternative monetary policies; identify and estimate the sources of aggregate fluctuations; and calibrate the model's structural parameters to Polish economy. Our results show that the real exchange rate did in fact serve as an external shock absorber in Poland in 1990-2012. Its elimination should be interpreted as a cost of euro adoption to the national economy.
Thursday, March 20
Professor Stern’s work spans the Andes, Mexico, and Chile from colonial times to the present. His most recent books are: Remembering Pinochet’s Chile: On the Eve of London, 1998 (2004), which received an honorable mention for the Bryce Wood Award of the Latin American Studies Association; Battling for Hearts and Minds: Memory Struggles in Pinochet’s Chile, 1973-1988 (2006), which was awarded the 2007 Bolton-Johnson Prize of the Conference on Latin American History; and Reckoning with Pinochet: The Memory Question in Democratic Chile (2010).
The eighth edition of the Carnegie Mellon International Film Festival is dedicated to the legacy of world-renowned filmmaker, psychologist, and Carnegie Mellon professor, Paul Goodman, and to his professional focus on the human challenges and achievements of diverse groups of workers worldwide. Audiences will have the opportunity to explore "Faces of Work" through Paul's compelling short films along with the Pittsburgh premiere screenings of new, distinctive, and award-winning international films and documentaries from Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Sweden, Romania, Turkey, Poland, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, France, Egypt, Chad, Iran, India, Japan, Vietnam, China, Canada, and the USA.
The Faces Festival is an annual celebration of international film and its potential to shine a light on the human faces involved in shaping our contemporary social landscape. Audiences are encouraged to explore the numerous complex themes of these films beyond the screenings themselves by participating in audience Q&A sessions with directors, artists, academics, and professionals; by engaging with interactive performances by student artists; and by sampling exotic foods and international cuisine from local eateries.
Friday, March 21
A CONFERENCE FOR GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS ORGANIZED BY THE DEPARTMENTS OF CLASSICS, THEATRE ARTS AND ENGLISH/ FILM STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
Along with traditional theatrical reinterpretations, recent adaptations of Classical subjects in television and film have continued to make ancient Greek and Roman culture accessible to today’s audiences. Scholarly interest in these representations of the ancient Greek and Roman world has grown considerably over the last decade. To build upon this dialogue on the reception of the Classical world in performance contexts, we would like to offer young scholars the opportunity to put Classics ‘in the spotlight’ along with experts in Classics, Theatre Arts and Film Studies.
Through a series of lectures, seminars and workshops we approach modern representations of antiquity from various perspectives: how authentic are the portrayals of individual figures and settings, and of the social and political environments? How are Classical characters or plotlines ‘reinterpreted’ in order to comply with – or challenge – specific social and cultural norms? Finally, how should performers and audiences approach modern representations of Classical culture?
Of special interest will be a presentation by Emerita Professor Mae Smethurst, an expert on Noh, about the performance on Greek tragedy in modern Japan.
The conference promotes evidence-based policy-making on environment and energy, drawing on policy experiences and research knowledge from the US and the EU. Specifically, the focus will be on the challenge of securing energy for economic growth while ensuring the protection of human health and the environment. The broader conference agenda examines the choice of the energy portfolio of various countries, and how trade-offs should be struck on the benefits and risks of various energy resources. The narrower agenda examines the development of shale gas, its benefits and potential risks, and strategies to mitigate these risks.
The conference is free and open to the public, but registration is required: http://tinyurl.com/lu2rujr.
The annual Latin American Social and Public Policy conference features presentations on social and public policy research in Latin America by students from the University of Pittsburgh and other universities, with comments by University of Pittsburgh faculty.
This one credit mini-course is part of a series organized by regions around the world based on their role on the world stage, their importance within the Muslim world, and the critical influence they play in the global community. The series and course seeks to illuminate the various perspectives of the Muslim community around the world. Drawing upon the expertise and research of participating faculty from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh and our partners at institutions around the world, the mini course series seeks to have students gain understanding of the religious, culture, economics and political influences of Muslims in a global context.
Friday, March 21, 2014 5:00 pm- 9:15 pm
5:00 pm – 5:15 pm Introductions and Welcome
5:15 pm - 6;15 pm Jennifer Murtazashvili
6:15 pm - 6:30 pm Break
6:30 pm - 7:45 pm Morgan Liu
7:45 pm - 8:00 pm Break
8:00 pm - 9:15 pm Laura Adams, "Heritage wars and pop stars: Central Asians navigating local, national and global culture"
Saturday, March 22, 2014 8:30 am – 6:15 pm
8:30 am - 9:45 am Scott Levi, "Islam in Precolonial Central Asia"
9:45 am - 10:00 am Break
10:00 am - 11:15 am Ali Igmen, "The Nuances of Islamic Practice under Communism in Central Asia"
11:15 am - 11:30 pm Break
11:30 am - 12:45 pm John Heathershaw, "Political Islam and internal politics in former Soviet Central Asia"
12:45 pm – 2:00 pm Lunch
2:00 pm – 3:15 pm Eric McGlinchey
3:15 pm – 3:30 pm Break
3:30 pm - 4:45 pm Amanda Wooden
4:45 pm- 5:00 pm Break
5:00pm - 6:15 pm Sarah Kendzior
Sunday, March 23, 2014 9:00 am - 1:15 pm
9:00 am - 10:15 am Noor Bobieva, "Gender and social change in Central Asia: Women encounter Development"
10:15 am - 10:30 am Break
10:30 am - 11:45 am Madeleine Reeves,
11:45am- 12:00pm Break
12:00pm - 1:00pm David Montgomery, "Islam, well-being, and everyday life in Central Asia"
1:00 pm – 1:15 pm Conclusion and wrap-up
Tuesday, March 25
This is a must session for all students pursuing or considering pursuing a Bachelor of Philosophy in International and Area Studies. The session will cover ethical considerations when conducting research outside of the U.S. and details about submission to the Institutional Review Board.
Presented by Michelle Lemenager, EE Research Review Coordinator Global Research Outreach Coordinator
Thursday, March 27
Pitt students and faculty are invited to join a group of key staff members from the Political, Economic, Defense, and Public Affairs divisions of the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv for an “off-the-record” question and answer session about the ongoing crisis in Ukraine:
- Press Attaché - Embassy uses of social media tools and the role of social media throughout Ukraine’s political crisis
- Economic Officer – Economic overview
- Politico-Military Affairs Officer – Political overview
- Energy Attaché – Energy issues effecting Ukrainian sovereignty
- DTRO Attaché – 20 years of Cooperative Threat Reduction assistance in Ukraine
Robert C. Orr, Assistant Secretary-General for Strategic Planning at the United Nations, and Ambassador Kamal. What are the prospects for achieving an agreement on climate change that can adequately address the reality of global warming? And can the UN help states manage the large-scale changes that scientists say are needed to mitigate, if not prevent, catastrophic climate change? Dr. Orr, a high-level official in the UN Secretariat, will show how the Secretary-General’s office seeks to bring countries towards agreements around divisive global problems, what resources they can bring to the table, and what constraints they face when dealing with the variety of actors in the UN system. Ambassador Kamal will offer his views about the causes of climate change and its importance in relation to other pressing global issues. After the video-conferencing part of the discussion is over, there will be time for the audience to debrief and debate the views expressed during the session.
The History Department Work-in-Progress Seminar presents Madalina Veres, University of Pittsburgh. Lead discussants Elspeth Martini and Katja Wezel.
NOTE: Text will be circulated three weeks before event. All attending are urged to prepare to take full part in discussion.
Repeats every day until Sat Mar 29 2014 . Friday, March 28
A Colloquium at The University of Pittsburgh Conversations amongst scholars from the Humanities and the Social Sciences towards a public discourse about the role of fieldwork in humanities scholarship on the global south.
Saturday, March 29
The 34th Latin American & Caribbean Festival will take place on Saturday March 29, 2014, and featuring music, food, dance, arts, crafts, and children's activities from Latin America and the Caribbean.
Friday, April 4
On April 4-6, 2014, the University of Pittsburgh will host the second of two conferences that constitute the project “Voices of Asian Modernities: Women, Gender, and Sexuality in Asian Popular Music of the 20th Century.” The conference will bring together a group of scholars from a range of fields including Music, Literature, History, Anthropology, Film Studies,Cultural Studies, Women's Studies, Performance Studies, and Asian Studies to properly historicize the artistic sounds, lyrical texts, visual images, and social lives of female performers in Asian popular music of the 20th century. In addition to scholarly presentations , the conference will feature a film showing (Friday, April 4) and a concert (Saturday, April 5).
Sponsored by the University Center for International Studies (UCIS), Global Studies Center (GSC), Asian Studies Center (ASC), Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, Humanities Center, Women's Studies Program, and the Department of Music at the University of Pittsburgh, with additional support from Leiden University and the Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies (KITLV).
Saturday, April 5
Expressing her muse through ghazals and Punjabi folk songs, Kiran Ahluwalia explores the language of the heart with beautiful artistry and smoldering intensity. Born in India, raised in Canada, and now living in New York City, her enchanting and seductive music has garnered glowing praise from critics around the world. Kiran Ahluwalia is the winner of Canada’s Juno Award for World Music Album of the Year in 2004 (Beyond Boundaries) and 2012 (Common Ground). She will be accompanied by her band (guitar, bass, accordion, and tabla).
This concert is part of the Voices of Asian Modernities Conference co-sponsored by the University Center for International Studies (UCIS), Global Studies Center (GSC), Asian Studies Center (ASC), Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, Humanities Center, Women’s Studies Program, and the Department of Music at the University of Pittsburgh, with additional support from Leiden University and the Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies (KITLV).
Sunday, April 6
Prof. John Palka's lecture will be based on his book that, while historical in essence, is refreshingly contemporary in its account of the past that his ancestors helped to shape. It contains vivid portraits of courage and love of freedom and country that will resonate with modern Slovak-Americans, it will connect them with the boarder story of their ancestors.
Tuesday, April 8
Winchester Thurston's faculty Karen Gaul, Central Catholic High School's faculty Matthew Sudnik, and Professor Roger Rouse, Global Studies Center, University of Pittsburgh, will frame Hsiao-Hung Pai's Scattered Sand in the context of Human Security to discuss China's rural migrants. They will share with our K-12 community on how they also used the book to look at globalization and consumerism.
Co-sponsored by the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia and the International Business Center
Wednesday, April 9
A celebration to recognize the achievements of the African Studies Program graduates.
Friday, April 11
The Undergraduate Research Symposium is an annual event since 2002 designed to provide undergraduate students, from the University of Pittsburgh and other colleges and universities, with advanced research experiences and opportunities to develop presentation skills. The event is open to undergraduates from all majors and institutions who have written a research paper from a social science, humanities, or business perspective focusing on the study of Eastern, Western, or Central Europe, the European Union, Russia, or other countries of the former Soviet Union. The Symposium is held on the University of Pittsburgh-Oakland campus.
After the initial submission of papers, selected participants were grouped into panels according to their research topics. At the symposium, participants give a 10- to 15-minute presentations based on their research to a panel of faculty and graduate students. The presentations are open to the public.
Tuesday, April 15
Friday, April 25
Save the date for Silk Screen's annual film festival!
Festival events include:
-Opening Night Gala: April 25, 2014
-Closing Night Film and party: May 4, 2014
