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Forty years after then-UN Secretary General U Thant received the first honorary degree presented by FIU, the university is poised to become a major international education center dedicated to creating greater mutual understanding among the Americas and throughout the world.
By Pedro Botta
Less than one month after breaking ground on its future home, the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) is inviting students, faculty and staff, and the South Florida community to participate in the “SIPA Semester,” a series of public events taking place throughout the spring semester at University Park and Biscayne Bay Campus as well as venues throughout Miami.
With the launch of SIPA, the university has come full circle, fulfilling the mandate of FIU’s founding almost half a century ago. An integral part of the College of Arts and Sciences, SIPA will centralize many of FIU’s internationally oriented disciplines, providing cutting-edge research, first-rate teaching and innovative training necessary for the globalized world of the 21st century.
With more than 100 faculty and staff, four signature academic departments, and FIU’s most prominent international centers, institutes and programs, SIPA will offer innovative interdisciplinary research and teaching at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. Under the leadership of Director John F. Stack Jr., the new school is aiming to achieve accreditation by the prestigious Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA). Only 34 institutions worldwide have achieved this recognition, including the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University and the London School of Economics.
“Those of us who succeeded FIU’s founding faculty have long hoped that a major international initiative would become a reality,” said Stack. “These aspirations take their inspiration from the importance of international and public affairs in our society-as a sine qua non of democratic governance, as the fulcrum of civil society relations and as a necessary means of political, social and economic change.”
The four academic departments in SIPA are Politics & International Relations, Global & Sociocultural Studies, Public Administration and Criminal Justice. The international centers of SIPA include: Latin American & Caribbean Center, Center for Labor Research & Studies, Center for the Administration of Justice, Gordon Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship Studies, Institute for Public Management & Community Service, Institute for Asian Studies, Cuban Research Institute, African & African Diaspora Studies, National Security Studies, Judaic Studies, Middle East Studies, European Studies, Migration Studies and the Center for the Study of Spirituality.
A School of International and Public Affairs Web site is currently being created. In the meantime, below please find the full schedule of SIPA Semester events:
January 20
Dr. Byron Shafer, professor of Political Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison
“Where are We in History? The 2008 Election and the Changing Structure of American Politics?”
University Park, Graham Center West Ballroom, 2 p.m.
Sponsored by the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship Studies
January 23
Dr. Livia Kohn, professor of Religion, Boston University
“Chinese Religion”
University Park, Graham Center, Room 274, 1 p.m.
Sponsored by the Institute for Asian Studies
January 23
Screening of the film “We Feed the World”
The Wolfsonian-FIU, 1001 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; free for members and students, $10 all other
Sponsored by The Wolfsonian, the School of International and Public Affairs, and the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship Studies as part of the documentary series “Technology and the Human Condition”
January 25
Dr. Robert A.F. Thurman, professor of Buddhist Studies, Columbia University
“Why the Dalai Lama Matters”
Temple Emanu-El, 1701 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, 7:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the Center for the Study of Spirituality
January 27
Dr. Mohsen Milani, University of South Florida
“The Iranian Revolution: Thirty Years After”
University Park, MARC International Pavilion, 5 p.m.
Sponsored by the Middle East Studies Program
January 31
Screening of the film “El Telón de Azúcar,” followed by a discussion with director Camila Guzmán Urzúa
Cosford Cinema, University of Miami, 5 p.m.
Sponsored by the Latin American and Caribbean Center, the Cuban Research Institute, the Joseph Carter Memorial Fund, and the University of Miami’s Center for Latin American Studies and School of Communication
February 2
Dr. Juan Cole, professor of History, University of Michigan
“The U.S. Occupation of Iraq: When Will the War End?”
University Park, Graham Center Room 150, 2 p.m.
Sponsored by the Department of Politics & International Relations, with funding from the FIU Graduate School, the Ruth K. and Shepard Broad International Lecture Series, and Pi Sigma Alpha
February 3
Dr. Thomas Farer, dean, Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver
“Confronting Global Terrorism”
University Park, MARC International Pavilion, 2 p.m.
Sponsored by the Jack D. Gordon Institute of Public Policy & Citizenship Studies
February 5
Dr. Pedro A. Noguera, executive director and professor, Metropolitan Center for Urban Education, New York University
“Beyond Race? What it will take to create a society where race no longer determines life chances”
Biscayne Bay Campus, Wolfe University Center Ballroom, 6 p.m.
Sponsored by the African and African Diaspora Studies Program
February 9
Dr. Fasil Giorghis, professor of Architecture, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
“From Villages to a Capital: The Birth and Growth of Addis Ababa from 1866 to the Present”
University Park, Frost Art Museum, Room 105, 5:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the African and African Diaspora Studies Program and the School of Architecture; partially funded by a grant from the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts
February 10-12
European Romantic Film Festival
- “Qui m’aime me suive“/”Follow Me if You Love Me” (France), GC 150, 2:30 p.m.
- “Georg” (Russia/Estonia/Finland), GC 150, 1:30 p.m.
- “Abrígate“/”Wrap Up” (Spain), GC 140, 1:30 p.m.
- “Solitude@net” (Poland), GC 140, 3:30 p.m.
University Park, Graham Center; all films have English subtitles
Sponsored by the European Studies Program, the Miami-Florida European Union Center of Excellence, the Europe Student Association, and the Romance in a Can Film Festival.
February 11
Rabbi Mitch Chefitz
“Storytelling and Spirituality”
Biscayne Bay Campus, Wolfe University Center, Room 155, 7:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the Judaic Studies Program, the Center for the Study of Spirituality, and the Department of English
February 12
Hossein Ebneyousef, International Petroleum Enterprises
“The Middle East, the Caspian, and U.S. Oil Dependency: The Fantasy and Reality of Thinking Green”
University Park, Graham Center East Ballroom, 5 p.m.
Sponsored by the Middle East Studies Program
February 12
Screening of the film “Neo-African Americans”
University Park, Frost Art Museum, Room 107, 6 p.m.
Sponsored by the African and African Diaspora Studies Program
February 14
Sandra Avila, instructor, Florida International University
“Women and Southeast Asia”
University Park, Green Library, Room 200, 12:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the Institute for Asian Studies
February 19-20
Conference on International Ethics in Time of Insecurity
Featuring Cecelia Lynch (UC-Irvine); Anthony Lang (St. Andrews University); Eric Heinze (University of Oklahoma), and Brent Steele (University of Kansas)
Location and time TBA
Sponsored by the Ruth K. and Shepard Broad Foundation
February 20
Dr. Boris Wastiau, curator of the Departments of Africa and the Americas, Museum of Ethnography, Switzerland
Graduate Colloquium: “Savage Models, Wild Poses: The Practice of Ethnographic Photography in Colonial Congo”
University Park, Green Library, Room 422, 1 p.m.
Sponsored by the African and African Diaspora Studies Program
February 20
Screening of the film “Afro@Digital”
The Wolfsonian-FIU, 1001 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; free for members and students, $10 all others
Sponsored by The Wolfsonian, the School of International and Public Affairs, and the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship Studies as part of the documentary series “Technology and the Human Condition”
February 24
Sen. Ted Deutch, Florida State Senate
“Divesting from Iran: The Efforts of the State of Florida”
Biscayne Bay Campus, Wolf University Center, Room 155, 3 p.m.
Sponsored by the Middle East Society, the Judaic Studies Program, and the Florida Security Council
February 24
“America and the Rising Powers: A Geo-Political Summit”
- “Reconsidering Democracy and the Neoconservative Legacy”/ Dr. Francis Fukuyama, Bernard L. Scwartz Professor of International Political Economy, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University
- “The Return of History and the End of Dreams”/ Dr. Robert Kagan, senior associate, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- “The Second World: Empires and Influence in the New Global Order”/ Mr. Parag Khanna, director, Global Governance Initiative; senior research fellow, New America Foundation
- “The Post American World”/ Dr. Fareed Zakaria, editor, Newsweek International
FIU University Park Campus, Graham Center Ballrooms, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Office of the President
February 25
Marianne Williamson, author and speaker
“A Course in Miracles”
Temple Emanu-El, 1701 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, 7:30 pm; for tickets call 305-538-2503
Sponsored by the Center for the Study of Spirituality
February 27
Dr. Tricia Keaton, assistant professor of African American and African Studies, University of Minnesota
“The Social Realities of Race and Blackness in Contemporary French Society”
FIU University Park Campus, Frost Art Museum, Room 105, 2 p.m.
Sponsored by the African and African Diaspora Studies Program
February 27
Screening of the film “Buena Vista Social Club: La Segunda Mirada,” followed by a discussion with director Carsten Moeller
Cosford Cinema, University of Miami, 7 p.m.
Sponsored by the Latin American and Caribbean Center, the Cuban Research Institute, and the Center for Latin American Studies at the University of Miami
February 27
Rafael Rivas Posada, chairperson, Human Rights Committee, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations
“Human Rights and Latin America”
University Park, MARC International Pavilion, 11 a.m.
Sponsored by the Latin American and Caribbean Center and the Colombian Studies Institute
February 27
Dr. David N. Gibbs, associate professor of History and Political Science, University of Arizona-Tucson
“First Do No Harm: Humanitarian Intervention and the Destruction of Yugoslavia”
University Park, Graham Center Room 150, 1:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the Department of Politics and International Relations, with funding from the FIU Graduate School and the Ruth K. and Shepard Broad International Lecture Series
February 27
Dr. Deborah Dash Moore, professor of History, University of Michigan
“Through American Eyes: Jewish GIs’ First Encounter with Holocaust Survivors”
Location TBA, 11 a.m.
Sponsored by the Judaic Studies Program
March 6
Teodoro Petkoff, journalist, political figure and editor-in-chief, Tal Cual, Venezuela
“Contemporary Venezuelan Politics”
University Park, Wertheim Concert Hall, Time TBA; RSVP 305-348-2894
Sponsored by the Latin American and Caribbean Center
March 6
Dr. Kia Lilly Caldwell, assistant professor of African & Afro-American Studies, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
“Transnational Black Feminism in the 21st Century: Perspectives from Brazil”
University Park, Graham Center, Room 150, 2 p.m.
Sponsored by the African and African Diaspora Studies Program
March 8
Haim Malka, deputy director of the Middle East Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies
“Between War and Peace: Israel’s Strategic Challenges and Opportunities”
Sunny Isles Beach Government Center, Commission Chambers, 18070 Collins Avenue, 2 p.m.
Sponsored by the Judaic Studies Program and the Middle East Society
March 13
Global Europe Conference Series: “A Low Carbon, Alternative Fuels Future: Perspectives from Europe and the Americas”
University Park, MARC International Pavilion, 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the Miami-Florida European Union Center of Excellence
March 13
Annual Latin American Jewry Series Lecture
Max Paul Friedman, associate professor of History, American University
“Identity in a Time of Peril: Nazis and Jews in Latin America during the Second World War”
Location TBA, 11 a.m.
Sponsored by the Judaic Studies Program and the Latin American and Caribbean Center
March 13
Screening of the film “I Am Become Death: They Made the Bomb”
The Wolfsonian-FIU, 1001 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; free for members and students, $10 all other
Sponsored by The Wolfsonian, the School of International and Public Affairs, and the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship Studies as part of the documentary series “Technology and the Human Condition”
March 13
Dr. Gregson Davis, Distinguished Professor of the Humanities in Classical Studies, Duke University
“Negritude as Performance: The Parade of Black Masks in Aimé Césaire’s ‘Journal of a Homecoming'”
University Park, Frost Art Museum, Room 107, 2 p.m.
Sponsored by the African and African Diaspora Studies Program and the Latin American and Caribbean Center
March 14
Southern Japan Seminar
Featuring Keynote Speaker Dr. Marvin Sterling, assistant professor of Anthropology, Indiana University
University Park, Location TBA, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sponsored by the Institute for Asian Studies
March 24
Dr. Waleed Hazbun, assistant professor of Political Science, Johns Hopkins University
“Beaches, Ruins, and Resorts: The Politics of Tourism in the Arab World”
FIU University Park Campus, Graham Center, Room 243, 5 p.m.
Sponsored by the Middle East Studies Program
March 25
Screening of the film “Kinshasa, DRC: Cemetery City” and commentary by Dr. Filip De Boeck, director of the Institute for Anthropological Research on Africa, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium
University Park, Graham Center, Room 243, 2:30 p.m.
Sponsored by African and African Diaspora Studies Program
March 26
Dr. Filip De Boeck, director of the Institute for Anthropological Research on Africa, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium
Chris Gray Memorial Lecture: “Children of Disorder: Intimacy, Violence, and the Production of Social Knowledge in Congolese Youth’s Management of Death”
University Park, Graham Center, Room 243, 6:30 p.m.
Sponsored by African and African Diaspora Studies Program
March 27
Screening of the film “Why We Fight”
The Wolfsonian-FIU, 1001 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; free for members and students, $10 all other
Sponsored by The Wolfsonian, the School of International and Public Affairs, and the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship Studies as part of the documentary series “Technology and the Human Condition”
April 2
Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr, University Professor of Islamic Studies, The George Washington University
“The Modern World and the Necessity of Dialogue among Abrahamic Religions”
University Park, Graham Center East Ballroom, time TBA
Sponsored by the Middle East Studies Program
April 9
Dr. Ahmet T. Kuru, assistant professor of Political Science, San Diego State University
“Secularism and Islam in Turkey: Between the French and the American Models”
FIU University Park Campus, MARC International Pavilion, 5 p.m.
Sponsored by the Middle East Studies Program
April 30- May 1
27th Annual Journalism and Editors Workshop on Latin American and the Caribbean
Workshop Theme: “The Politics of Natural Disasters”
Biscayne Bay Marriott Hotel, Downtown Miami, 9 a.m.; RSVP, 305-348-2894
Sponsored by the Latin American and Caribbean Center
June 8-11
XV Inter-American Conference of Mayors and Local Authorities
Hilton Hotel, Downtown Miami
Sponsored by the Institute for Public Management and Community Service; registration required, for more information call 305-348-1271.
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