The Valpo Core

CONVERSATIONS PROJECT TO DISCUSS THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN AND THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE

The Valparaiso University Conversations Project will continue its programming on February 19th, 2009 with “Big Government Fights Back: Responses to the Economic Downturn.” The event will begin at 7 p.m. in the Valparaiso University Christopher Center Community Room and is free and open to the public. Panelists will start a conversation exploring the impact of the recent economic downturn on different sectors of the economy.

Professor Alan White of the VU School of Law will focus on credit and housing markets. Professor Emeritus James Bernard of the VU Economics Department will address the labor market, providing an overview of the industries that have been most adversely affected, the sectors that are still growing and therefore hiring, and the prospects for job creation in Indiana. Mark Lopez, the District Director in the office of Congressman Pete Visclosky, will focus on the fiscal challenges facing Indiana and governmental responses to those challenges, including the stimulus package recently passed and its expected impact on the Indiana economy. Professor Niru Devaraj of the VU Economics Department will moderate the event.

A reception following the public discussion will allow audience members to continue individual conversations with one another and the panelists.

The goal of the Conversations Project is to promote mutual education, understanding and political reconciliation through dialogue, while at the same time forging connections between the University and the Northwest Indiana community. The program is supported by Valparaiso School of Law and the Valparaiso Project on Civic Reflection.

The final Conversations Project event of the 2008-2009 academic year, “Greener Pastures: A New Era in Environmental Policy?” will focus on energy policy and environmental justice.  It will take place on April 7, 2009 from 7-9 p.m. in the VU Christopher Center’s Community Room.

For more information about the Conversations Project: http://www.valpo.edu/organization/conversation.

A lecture by Graeme Mitchell, Q.C.

We are having a very important lecture tomorrow at 4:00 at the law school that you may find absorbing–imagine being picked up at age 15 on the battlefield in Afghanistan and then taken to Guantanamo. That is the plight of the detainee the law school’s Scholar-in-Residence, Graeme Mitchell, Q.C., will discuss in the Benson classroom at the law school (Wesemann Hall) tomorrow (2/18) at 4 pm. Khadr, a Canadian citizen living abroad, was only 15 years old when he was taken to Guantanamo after being captured on the battlefield in Afghanistan under suspicion of killing an American soldier. He has served more than six years in detention. His incarceration at such a young age, his treatment as a presumed terrorist, and the conditions at the Guantanamo facility have all made his case controversial. In one poll, more than 64% of Canadians supported his release. Mr. Mitchell is one of Canada’s most important humans rights lawyers and will discuss Khadr’s situation from the perspective of Canadian and American law and human rights.

Red, White, and Black: Japanese Valentine’s Day

Thursday, February 12th
Time: 5:15-6:15 pm
Place: CCLIR 205

Broaden your perspective on Valentine’s Day. Come learn about how the Japanese have taken a simple American holiday and turned it into THREE! Also, see how they make special homemade chocolate, and discover whether a Honmei or Giri gift will let your crush know how you feel!

There will be FREE CANDY!!

Sponsored by Global Leaders Community.

Albert G. Huegli Lecture on Church-Related Higher Education

“Christian Vocation Then and Now: Is it Possible to Sustain a Christian Way of Life in the World?”

L. Gregory Jones, Dean of the Divinity School, Duke University

Thursday, February 12, 6:30-7:30 pm

Christopher Center, Community Room

Christian ethicist L. Gregory Jones is dean of the Divinity School and professor of theology at Duke University. An ordained United Methodist minister, he is the author of several books, including the acclaimed Embodying Forgiveness: A Theological Analysis. He has also co-edited The Scope of Our Art: The Vocation of the Theological Teacher with Stephanie Paulsell, and Resurrecting Excellence with Kevin Armstrong. Jones writes a regular column, “Faith Matters” for The Christian Century, and he is co-editor of the scholarly journal Modern Theology. The Huegli Lecture on Church-Related Higher Education honors the fifteenth president of Valparaiso University, Albert G. Huegli (1913-1998), who served from 1968 until 1978.

This lecture is part of the Winter 2009 Christ College Symposium Series.

She’s written about a character fascinated with fire and a character who wears nothing but feathers in the streets of New York.  She’s also one of us–a VU grad.  Don’t miss Rene Steinke reading from her newest novel-in-progress next Wednesday, February 18th.  See her bio below.

Harre Union Ballroom A (West)

7:00 pm

Refreshments and book signing to follow.

Rene Steinke is the author of the novels The Fires and Holy Skirts, which was a 2005 Finalist for the National Book Award and listed as one of the Best Books of the Year by the Washington Post and the Chicago Tribune. Her non-fiction has appeared in the New York Times, Vogue, Bookforum, and in anthologies. She has taught at Valparaiso University, Columbia University, the New School University, and is currently Associate Professor of English at Fairleigh Dickinson University. From 2002-2007, she was Editor of The Literary Review, an international literary magazine. A Valparaiso alum (1986), she was a member of Christ College, an English major, and one of the editors of The Lighter.

A talk by Dr. Bruce Hrivnak

Friday, February 13, 2009, in NSC 224

What is our place in the cosmos?  How has this understanding (or perspective) changed as our knowledge has grown?  In this talk, I will trace how mankind’s view has changed from that of a motionless Earth in the center, to that of a planet orbiting a star, that is itself moving within a large galaxy of stars, that is itself one of billions of galaxies in an expanding cosmos.  Particular emphasis will be placed on how this view of our place has changed in accordance with new observations.

After this talk:

8:30-9:30 pm – Telescope viewing at the VU Observatory (if it is clear)

9:30-10:30 pm - Remote telescopic viewing though the SARA telescope in Arizona (Neils 224)

Poster for VU’s celebration of International Year of Astronomy 2009: Poster

Flyer for “Our Place in the Cosmos”:  Flyer

The Office of Residential Life will be sponsoring a discussion on modern gentrification, its use of the court powers (eminent domain), and whether or not the audience agrees with the argument presented.  The program will begin with a showing of the War on Peace, a documentary produced by Cris Thorne, which has won an Urban Visionary Award for Film and was inducted into the permanent collection at the National Museum of Television and Radio. The piece compares the black panther movement of the 1960s with the hip-hop of the modern era, examining the idea that both were invented by black culture as a positive influence, but were hi-jacked by people outside of that culture to serve an end. One interpretation that will be presented is that the FBI released propaganda on the black panthers, trying to convince white Americans that there should be no change in the status of the black race. There will be a discussion of whether or not attendees agree with this interpretation. Furthermore, the evolution of hip-hop will be examined, with the argument that it was once a positive music of thought and feeling but has morphed into gangsta rap after years of capitalist influence. A discussion will follow regarding whether or not students think this is a fair assessment. The discussion will also talk about what can be done in society to change this trend or to refute the conclusions that were drawn. For a more modern look at another way in which the black community is being exploited, a scene on gentrification from Boyz n the Hood will be shown. The event will begin at 8:00 pm on February 19th in room 112 of Kallay-Christopher Hall.

When was the last time you went to an old fashioned Valentine’s Day party? (And earned one 5th hour credit?

You’re invited to the INTERNATIONAL CONVERSATION GROUP VALENTINE PARTY.

TUESDAY, FEB. 10, 3:10 – 4:10
Multipurpose Room for International Studies/OMP–Harre Union

Come share our crazy holiday tradition with international students!

*Decorate a cookie for your favorite sweetie
*Make a Valentine
*Help students with English expressions related to relationships

Don’t worry–some “anti-Valentines” attitudes are OK, too.

So, if you’ve come to Conversation Group before, welcome back! If it’s your first time, come for the pleasure of meeting Valpo international students. It’s an informal way to talk with everyone.

with Prof. Chuck Schaefer, Department of History

There are two parts to Geography: Physical Geography, such as topography, and Human Geography. Human Geography includes political, social, economic and cultural differences. It is very hard to discuss Human Geography without knowledge of Physical Geography. On February 10th, at 8:30pm in room 112 in Kallay-Christopher Hall, we will be looking at one perspective of how geography, the physical and the human part, affect the country of Ethiopia.

Come join us for an eye-opening experience!

Where : Kallay-Christopher Hall, room 112

When: February 10th, at 8:30pm

Sponsored by the Geography Club

Flyer: The Geography of Ethiopia

Come hear how Christianity has played a part in the business world for entrepreneur Larry Gough (of Investment Property Advisors, LLC), owner and lead developer of the new Uptown East Apartments.

Q&A session to follow, and refreshments provided by The College of Business

February 9, 2009 at 8pm in the Harre Union, Brown and Gold Room