Dr. Janice Vance of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences will discuss opportunities for and lessons learned from a unique study abroad program in Ireland. She directs a multi-disciplinary program which provides students with the opportunity to explore research, professional practice, and service provision models in Belfast (UK) and Dublin (Ireland) in a range of professions.

The Habsburg Monarchy disappeared in 1918, but many elements of its urban culture survived and even continued to evolve in the years to follow. In popular cinema of the interwar period, we can pick up what Nancy Condee has called, in other contexts, an "imperial trace" and begin to map out a common cultural space that continued to bridge the former twin seats of empire, Vienna and Budapest. For this talk, I will focus on three titles -- Frühjahrsparade (1934), Ernte/Die Julika (1936), and Maria Ilona (1939) -- helmed by Géza von Bolváry, one of the most prolific directors of the period.

As this second installment in our series of interactive videoconferences this year, Conversations in Europe, the EUCE/ESC will bring experts together via remote connection to discuss the range and level of European influence in the Middle East. Europe has, until recently, been an attractive model for countries in democratization, because of the non-threatening, non-military way Europe—and the EU in particular—attracted adherents. Almost two years after the Arab Spring, does Europe retain any influence, any ability to influence events?

Professor Tal Sadeh, Head of the Hartog School of Government and Policy at Tel Aviv University, will discuss the effects of monetary union on supranational identity in Europe.

Author of the first Pittsburgh Papers publication will give a lecture based on her research on the role of private companies in spreading EU based environmental norms.

To cap off the events of Irish Studies Week 2012, the EUCE/ESC will host a reception with live Irish music and information on the multiple opportunities to explore contemporary and historical Ireland while at the University of Pittsburgh. Refreshments provided. Open to the community.