The Global Studies Center and the African Studies Program invites Pitt students to dialogue with students at American University in Cairo (AUC) on topics concerning politics, economics, revolutions, religion, terrorism, American foreign policy, women’s rights, occupation, sharia law and more. All the topics you shouldn’t discuss at a cocktail party! The Egyptian students are enrolled in a interdisciplinary global issues course at AUC. Each session facilitated by Dr. Riham Bahi, AUC and Dr. Roger Rouse, Pitt, will have a political/societal focus, and a suggested short list of articles to read prior to the session where students are encouraged to exchange ideas and opinions on these very timely issues. Up to 35 students can participate (undergraduate and graduate students welcome.)
September 11 Discussion Topic: New Wave of Revolts
Millions are mobilizing in the streets from Cairo to San Paulo and in cities in between, calling attention to a host of issues including access to health care, transportation, clean water, employment and the right to vote in free elections. What are some of the themes that arise, what is the role of the state, can these movements change policies and the course of history, what is the role of social networking and the youth?
Pre-reading articles:
David Rohde -- The Revolt of the Global Middle Class --
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/06/the-revolt-of-t...
Paul Mason -- Why It's Still Kicking Off Everywhere -- http://www.marxsite.org/2013/02/paulk-mason-why-its-still-kicking-off.html
Khaled Fahmy -- We Didn't Risk Our Lives Simply to Change the Players -- http://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/03/opinion/egypt-morsy-khaled-fahmy
Ezzedine Choukri Fishere -- Eyptians Will No Longer Put Up with Authoritarians -- http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/b24c37d2-e48d-11e2-875b-00144feabdc0.html
October 23 Topic of Discussion: Globalization and the World Economy: Impact of 2009 Global Economic Crisis, How economy affects security decision making.
November 13 Topic of Discussion: The Middle East, Africa and the US: What are the major issues, shared views and diverse perspectives? How does the current crisis in Syria and Egypt impact US citizens? How is US foreign policy viewed in terms of African development and revolutions in the Arab world? Is Palestine a forgotten issue? How do students view Turkey as a model of democracy? What is the role of the Saudi Arabia in impacting decisions made in Cairo and Washington DC.
