This lecture will comment on the first European elections held in Croatia on April 14th, 2013. It will introduce the main issues debated in the public with respect to the elections and highlight the nature of political competition over Europe in Croatia. It will examine both the debate over the timing and purpose of the elections as well as the decisions made within the center-right and center-left Croatian political parties with respect to candidate selection.

Available for both undergraduates and graduate students, Boren Awards support the study of less-commonly-taught languages through study abroad. Applicants must demonstrate how their proposal and future goals are connected to a broad understanding of national security, and award winners must agree to a one-year government service requirement. The deadline for undergraduate applications in December 2nd.

Learn more about DAAD programs for both undergraduates and graduates, and for German speaking and non-German speaking students. Dr. Wezel will discuss a variety of research, study, and internship DAAD scholarships that can fund up to 2 years of research or graduate study. For scholarship requirements and deadlines, please reference the DAAD’s website, which also includes information for the summer internship program with RISE (Research Internships in Science and Engineering). To R.S.V.P., please email Judy Zang at jaz36@pitt.edu.

Professor Pahl will offer an additional colloquium that focuses on the emotionality of paragraphs 166 through 196 of Hegel’s "Phenomenology of Spirit". For more information or scans of these passages, please send an email requesting copies to grmndept@pitt.edu. Cookies and drinks will be provided.

Professor Pahl approaches the German literary and philosophical canon from a queer-feminist perspective, with the arc of her research situated in affect and emotion studies. She edited the Modern Language Notes 2009 issue on Emotionality, and she was awarded the Best Article in Feminist Scholarship Prize from the Coalition of Women in German for “Transformative Translations: Cyrillizing and Queering.” In this lecture, Pahl will explore Heinrich von Kleist's “Anekdote aus dem letzten Kriege” (“Anecdote from the Recent War”). The lecture is in English.

Irepoglu discusses her dissertation which combines the literatures of 'fiscal decentralization' and 'governance' in searching for determinants of income inequality. It argues that fiscal decentralization makes inequality more likely while the interactive nature of governance offsets this effect. Building on the author's earlier quantitative work, it compares findings from field work conducted in Spain –a country with low interactive governance-and in Sweden–a country with high interactive governance.

Professor Vassallo’s research focuses on political behavior, French and European Union politics, and EU identity. In her lecture, she will highlight the possible solutions to declining EU support levels in other EU member states, addressing how European integration can still retain a mostly positive image in the eyes of elites and citizens in the EU when there is a clear commitment to the original integration project.

Nuala Mole is a human rights lawyer and advocate who has led two pro bono legal advice and advocacy organizations: Interrights and the AIRE Centre, which she founded. Mole initially specialized in immigration and asylum but now her work encompasses all aspects of international human rights law. Mole has conducted training for the Council of Europe, the European Commission and the AIRE Centre for judges, public officials, lawyers, and NGOs in over 40 of the 46 member states of the Council of Europe.