Shortages, bottlenecks, and over-centralization in the Soviet economy made the distribution of goods uneven, limited, and, to some extent, non-existent. But it would be a mistake to see the Soviet economy as only a planned, top-down system. Interwoven within it were shadow economies with illegal schemes that the innovative and corrupt exploited. What do these shadow economies say about Soviet everyday life, informal networks, and corruption, and how did their proliferation reflect and shape the realities of Soviet socialism?

Shortly after independence, Julius Nyerere, the first President of Tanzania, embarked on a socialist experiment: the ujamaa, the villagization initiative of 1967-1975. Ujamaa, or "familyhood" in Swahili, both invoked established socialist themes and departed from the existing global repertoire of development policy by seeking to reorganize the Tanzanian countryside into communal village to achieve national development.

Income inequality and what to do about it is a hot button political issue throughout our world. Much this disparity is the result of how the value of labor is calculated. How much is a worker's labor worth? How is it measured? Namely, how is it commodified? This live interview with Martha Lampland will discuss these questions from an unlikely place--socialist Hungary--to shed light on how economists in a society without a labor market nonetheless determined the value of labor and what this says about socialism and capitalism.

Socialism is often discussed as a singular, proper noun devoid of ideological, regional, political, or economic difference. Several types of socialism were operative in the twentieth century--from Soviet state socialism to Yugoslav worker self-management. What were some of the transnational movements of socialist experimentation and how, in the later decades of the twentieth century, intersect with, offer alternatives, and even shape neoliberalism?

Representative from UCIS and the Study Abroad Office will be providing information on a variety of scholarships, fellowships and tuition remission opportunities that can help you fund study abroad in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe, Eurasia and Russia -- as well as tips for exploring, choosing and preparing for a study abroad program that's just right for you.

Designed for juniors, seniors, and graduate students to establish a career direction
and formulate a strategy for securing a full-time position in today's competitive
international and global workplace. Students focus on developing specific
competencies that include career selection, jobsearch activities, resume and
cover letter development, professionalnetworking techniques, behavioral
interviewing skills, and workplace ethicsin preparation for government, business,
and nonprofit sector careers. ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND WORKSHOPS.

Papers are welcome from students - both undergraduate and graduate – from all disciplines on topics including (but not limited to) politics, culture, society, policy, religion, and their impact on the lived experience of Muslims and their multifaceted interactions. This symposium looks to shed light on various expressions of Islamic and Muslim narratives and experiences in a global, historical or contemporary context.

Celebration of world cultures in the Pittsburgh region. The event took place for three Fridays (9/6, 9/13, 9/28). UCIS had a table at the event on 9/13 and was listed as a co-sponsor for the entire event.

High school Model UN clubs from Pittsburgh and tri-state areas participated in mock UN sessions.

Student affairs sponsored this event to help students understand the experiences of "other" or "oppressed" populations. UCIS engagement organized and facilitated a simulation of asylum seekers at the border.