Ex Cathedra

Undergraduate Asian Studies Conference

2010-01-02T10:54:00.002-05:00

Below is information provided by Luding Tong for an undergraduate Asian Studies conference, Marietta College, April 15-17, 2010

Second Call for Papers: "Fourth Undergraduate Asian Studies Symposium" at

Marietta College, April 15-17, 2010

As part of the celebration of Marietta College's 175th anniversary, the

Asian Studies Program, in collaboration with The McDonough Center for

Leadership and Business, has organized a Fourth Asian Studies Symposium

for undergraduate students to share their scholarly interests in Asia and

present their research results in a supportive environment. The symposium

will be held at the college Thursday through Saturday, April 15-17, 2010.

The conference invites proposals for panels and papers from a wide variety

of academic disciplines. All proposals germane to Central, South,

Southeast, and East Asia are welcome.

Deadline for proposals: *March 1, 2010*

Send a one-page abstract of the paper or panel proposal to:

Luding Tong, Ph.D.

Director, Asian Studies Program

Chair, Department of Modern Languages

Marietta College

215 Fifth Street

Marietta, OH 45750

Or, submit an electronic copy of the abstract to: Luding.Tong@marietta.edu.

Those who submit proposals will be notified within two weeks of submission

whether their proposals have been accepted. Complete papers of accepted

proposals received by *April 1, 2010,* will be entered automatically in

the conference /Best Paper Award/ competition. Registration is required

for the competition. Conference proceedings will be published on CD in May

2010. The conference program will be posted on the conference web site by

*March 15, 2010*.

For details on how to submit a proposal, on registration, and other

information about the symposium, visit

http://www.marietta.edu/departments/Asian_Studies/symposium.html.

Contact Dr. Luding Tong at (740) 376-4640 or by

email Luding.Tong@marietta.edu with any

questions.

RELIGIOUS STUDIES MA (in English) AT CENTRAL EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY

2009-12-08T09:55:00.002-05:00

RELIGIOUS STUDIES MA (in English) AT CENTRAL EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY
The Central European University is a vibrant, cosmopolitan and unique setting for the study of religion in a historical and comparative perspective. Situated at the crossroad of Empires and of world religions, Budapest offers a microcosm of the interactions of religions, cultures and societies.

Specialization in Religious Studies
The Specialization Religious Studies, offered by the School of History and Interdisciplinary Historical Studies, awards a non-degree certificate in Religious Studies. Students will enroll and receive their degrees in either the Department of History or Medieval Studies. As part of their MA in History or Medieval Studies, students of this Specialization will engage in the study of religious phenomena from a historical point of view, from Late Antiquity to modernity, and a variety of interdisciplinary perspectives. The Specialization Religious Studies is a young teaching unit, launched in 2007 by the Religious Studies Program. Its diverse course offers cover the three monotheistic religions multidisciplinary perspectives. To this end, apart from the Departments of History and Medieval Studies, more departments participate through their course offerings, such as Philosophy, Jewish Studies Program, Sociology and Social Anthropology, International Relations and European Studies. In the past, students were successful in receiving prestigious international scholarships and in entering challenging professional fields.

Religious Studies Program
The Religious Studies Program (RSP) is a research program and an academic forum at CEU fostering the academic study of religion. The mission of the program is to initiate and to coordinate research, academic events, and publications that address in critical ways religion-related questions in critical ways. The RSP is integrated into the School of History and Interdisciplinary Historical Studies and collaborates with relevant departments and academic units at the CEU. It crosses the borders of academic disciplines, confessional and geo-political categorizations. With an international advisory board and contacts with institutions throughout the region, as well as worldwide, the RSP provides an important site in Eastern Europe for academic research and communication on religion.

Source Language Teaching Unit
It is expected that as of Academic Year 2010/2011, students specializing in Religious Studies will be able to take intensive, high-level courses in classical and modern languages. The offering will include Greek, Latin, Arabic, Hebrew, Syriac, Ottoman as well as Russian and modern Turkish and Greek.

About CEU and the School of History and Interdisciplinary Historical Studies
Central European University (CEU) is a graduate, English-language, research-intensive university located in Budapest, Hungary, and is accredited in the USA and Hungary. While concentrating on the social sciences and humanities, CEU also offers programs in Business, Economics, Law, Environmental Sciences and Mathematics. With students coming from 100 countries, CEU is proud of its international community with no predominant national majority. The university offers small, seminar-style courses with student/faculty ratio 7:1, and individual consultations with professors. The School of History and Interdisciplinary Historical Studies brings together the Departments of History and Medieval Studies, the Nationalism Studies Program, the Religious Studies Program and Pasts, Inc. Institute of Historical Studies, as well as other research centers and programs related to the three teaching units with the aim to strengthen interdisciplinary studies. See: http://www.ceu.hu/node/2684

Faculty in Charge of the Specialization
Aziz Al-Azmeh (Department of Medieval Studies)
Nadia Al-Bagdadi (Department of History)
Matthias Riedl (Department of History)

Sample Courses
Approaching Religion
Bookish Traditions: Authority and the Book in Scripturalist Religions
Political Theology - Ancient and Modern
Christian-Muslim Polemics in the Middle Ages
Messianism - From the Age of Revelation to the Age of Revolution Religion and Authority Secularism and Religion - Comparative Perspectives on Christianity and Islam
Philosophy and Theology in the Middle Ages

Scholarships
CEU is committed to sustaining a geographically diverse and multi-cultural student body. To further this goal, the university welcomes financial aid applications from students around the world. Full scholarships are available for the Specialization Religious Studies. For more detailed information on financial aid, please visit www.ceu.hu/admissions/financialaid.

How to Start the Application Procedure
Students interested in the Specialization Religious Studies have a choice of applying to a One Year MA, Two Year MA or PhD. For research topics that focus on the period up to the end of the 15th century apply to the Medieval Studies Department (medstud.ceu.hu), for later topics to the History Department (www.hist.ceu.hu). Applications are accepted through an on-line system at http://www.ceu.hu/admissions/apply beginning on November 10, 2009. Candidates applying by January 25, 2010 are eligible to take the CEU-administered institutional TOEFL. Candidates who can provide evidence of proficiency in English or will organize their own TOEFL examination may apply by March 5, 2009. Full scholarships are available!

Application Deadlines
Deadlines for application to the CEU History and/or the Medieval Studies Department are: January 25, 2010: For applicants who wish/are required to take the CEU administered admissions examinations and /or are requesting exemption from the English language proficiency requirement. March 16, 2010: For applicants submitting applications complete with language scores and other applicable test scores. March 2010: For CEU Master's students and graduates applying to doctoral programs.

For detailed information about the academic programs and course, specific entry requirements, and a list of faculty, visit our website or contact us directly. Religious Studies Program Central European University (CEU) Nádor u. 11, room 211 h-1051 Budapest Telephone :+36.1/327-3000 ex 2170 E-mail: mailto:rsp@ceu.hu / Website: http://www.ceu.hu/religion RSP Director Nadia Al-Bagdadi (mailto:albagdadin@ceu.hu) RSP Program Coordinator Esther Holbrook (mailto:holbrooke@ceu.hu) CEU Department of History Nador u. 9, 1051 Budapest Hungary Telephone :+36 1 327-3022 / Fax:+36 1 327-3191 E-mail: mailto:history@ceu.hu / Website: http://www.ceu.hu/history CEU Department of Medieval Studies Nador u. 9, 1051 Budapest Hungary Telephone :+36 1 327-3024 / Fax:+36 1 327-3055 E-mail: mailto:medstud@ceu.hu / Website: http://www.medstud.ceu.hu You can also visit the Religious Studies group on Facebook.

Symposium on Medieval and Renaissance Studies

2009-11-23T14:39:00.001-05:00

Symposium on Medieval and Renaissance Studies:

Wednesday, December 2 from 5:00 to 7:00pm
at Carnegie Mellon University, 237B Baker Hall (the long building across the bridge from Pitt).

An informal discussion with Pittsburgh faculty Allyson Creasman (CMU), Frank Toker (Pitt), Jen Waldron (Pitt), Dan Selcer (Duquesne), Adam Shear (Pitt), Renate Blumenfeld-Kosinski (Pitt), and Peggy Knapp (CMU), all of whom will briefly describe their fields of interest. Graduate and Undergraduate students can see who's doing what, what courses will be offered, and what books are hot.

As in Plato's day, a symposium is a festive occasion implying food as well as conversation; accordingly, the roundtable will befollowed by a light supper for everyone who comes, so we can converse in smaller groups. Please rsvp to Peggy Knapp at CMU, pk07@andrew.cmu.edu.

Sponsored by the Pittsburgh Consortium for Medieval and Renaissance Studies.

"Test Drive a Career"

2009-11-06T13:56:00.003-05:00

The announcement below is from the advising center:

This upcoming Winter Break, Pitt students will have the opportunity to Test Drive a Career by shadowing an alum or employer. Winter Break is an ideal time since your finals will be over! What better occasion to participate in an a job shadowing experience that will give you the opportunity to shadow a professional and learn more about the potential field you want to enter. If you are considering more than one career field then this is a great way to narrow down your options. If you know what career you want to pursue, this is a great way to “reality check” that profession.

Job shadowing is especially important for sophomores as you will have to declare a major by the end of the academic year. It is important to experience first hand a career field that you may be interested in before making this imperative decision. Below are more details and instructions on how to sign up. We look forward to hearing from you!

This is how the job shadowing will work:

You will be matched with an alum or employer near your Winter Break residence.
The experience can last from a half day to a full day of shadowing.
You will earn OCC credit.
The shadowing dates are:
- December 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, & 30

How to register:

RSVP to the Panther Shadow Program through FutureLinks.
- Click on “events”, then
- Click on “workshops”, then
- Click on Panther Shadow Program

You must upload your resume on FutureLinks
- Click on “documents”, then
- Under the “documents” tab, then click “add new”

* If you do not have a resume you can use the Resume Architect on FutureLinks or come to walk-in hours at the Career Development Office from 1 to 4, Monday – Friday, on the 2^nd Floor of the William Pitt Union.

Email the following information to scottdl@pitt.edu – please use the subject “Panther Shadow Program Student”:

Year in school.
Industry/industries of interest – up to three.
Cities you will be near during your Winter Break that are an hour or less away.
Any dates listed above that you will not be available.

DEADLINE TO RSVP IS NOVEMBER 20, 2009

For any questions, please contact Danielle Scott at scottdl@pitt.edu.

Wittenberg in China

2009-10-09T10:48:00.002-04:00

The following was posted on H-ASIA Oct 9 and will be of interest to those who want to study in China.

Wittenberg in China: On the Silk Road" summer program (mid-May 17 to mid-June).

This month-long program offers students an opportunity to explore China's past and present through a study of the historic and contemporary Silk Road through experiential learning activities, class discussions, and site visits. The program is flexibly designed so students can pursue their specific interests in business, medicine, education, art, religion, etc.. For example, Wittenberg Management students have received equivalency credit for International Business; art majors may complete their art history requirement; and pre-Med students can learn first hand about both traditional Chinese and Uigher medical systems. Students study as they travel along the Silk Road from Xi'an, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Turfan, Urumqi and Khotan; the program ends in Beijing. There are no prerequisites, and the program is open to all students regardless of their major or graduation year. Where translators arer equired, they will be provided. The program comprehensive fee of $4,780 to $5,780 (depending on number ofparticipants) includes all expenses in China (transportation, room, board,entrance fees, course materials, health & evacuation insurance, and anallowance) and six Wittenberg (four-hour) credits. Additional expenses arethe Wittenberg summer school application fee ($40), international travel,Chinese visa, and small gifts for Chinese hosts. Graduate students mayapply. For application materials, see www.wittenberg.edu/silkroad. Contact Dr.Marcia Frost at mfrost@wittenberg.edu or 937-327-7935 or Dr. Stephen Smithat srsmith@wittenberg.edu or 937-327-7506 or www.wittenberg.edu/silkroad formore information and application packets. Marcia J. FrostAssociate Professor of Economics & East Asian StudiesWittenberg UniversitySpringfield OH 45501

Grad School Fair

2009-09-21T10:48:00.003-04:00

There will be an Idealist.org Graduate Degree Fair for the Public Good on Wednesday, September 23, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the William Pitt Union, Ballroom.

To learn more about it, see idealist.org/gradfairs

Self-Service Enrollment

2009-09-14T11:05:00.002-04:00

Starting this October you will be able to self-enroll for courses in the spring term. This will enable you to register, add, and drop courses at your convenience. The School of Arts & Sciences has provided the following information on how students can get started:

1. Log on the Student Center through the http://my.pitt.edu Web portal

2. View details about their enrollment appointment

3. Contact their academic advisors for a pre-registration appointment BEFORE their enrollment appointment begins.

As the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department of Religious Studies, I will post later this month a sign-up sheet outside my office (CL 2610) so you can sign up to see me before your enrollment appointment.

Before you come to your appointment, please make sure you fill out two checklists:
"GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS CHECKLIST"
"CHECKLIST FOR THE RELIGIOUS STUDIES MAJOR"

Both are available through the departmental website at

http://www.religiousstudies.pitt.edu/undergraduate/checklists.php

I look forward to talking with you about your future academic life here at Pitt.

---Clark Chilson

Career Kickoff

2009-08-26T12:49:00.003-04:00

From the Vice Provost and Dean of Students:

"Career Kickoff with be held from September 14-18 and will provide students with a chance to network with employers and have their resume critiqued by seasoned professionals. Tables have been reserved in convenient locations across campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day to enable students to prepare for the career fair"

If you would like to learn more about this and the Student Employment and Placement Assistance (SEPA) offices, see http://www.hire.pitt.edu/.

A Peaceful and Orderly Transition in the Cathedral of Learning

2009-07-01T19:20:00.003-04:00

Dear Religious Studies students,

As of today, I am relinquishing my duties as Director of Undergraduate Studies and closing up the Religious Studies advising office for the summer.

Professor Clark Chilson will take over as DUS and undergraduate advsisor for the department starting with the beginning of the fall term. He will post his office hours and contact information for the beginnning of the term on the blog soon.

In the meantime, if you have a question about advising--that cannot wait until the end of the summer--please e-mail Professor Chilson (chilson@pitt.edu) or Professor Orbach (orbach@pitt.edu).

I will be on leave in the fall term and back teaching in the spring.

I have enjoyed my time as DUS and I leave you in the capable hands of Prof. Chilson.

Sincerely,

Adam Shear

PS Two last notes about Peoplesoft which is not always up-to-date:

1) Prof. Chilson is the instructor for Religious Studies 1903 this coming fall term (2101) and not me.

2) A couple of you have asked me questions about the spring term schedule (2104). Although a "draft" version is now on Peoplesoft, this is simply the spring 2009 schedule carried over by the computer awaiting updates/corrections/deletions from the departments. Departments will submit schedule changes to Peoplesoft this month and next. You should not consider the schedule on Peoplesoft official until you get notification that the schedule has been published.

Harvard Divinity School Diversity and Explorations Program

2009-06-22T20:48:00.002-04:00

Harvard Divinity School

Diversity & Explorations Program

November 3-5, 2009

“Exploring Opportunities in Ministry and Graduate Theological Studies”

What is “Diversity and Explorations”?

Harvard Divinity School’s DIVERSITY AND EXPLORATIONS PROGRAM is an initiative intended to increase students underrepresented in the graduate study of religion, with a particular focus on African American, Latino/a, Asian American and Native American students. The program invites applications from talented undergraduates whose background and experiences suggest a commitment to diversity and social justice issues as well as an interest in ministry, scholarship, or professional careers that are well served by the study of religion, theology, or ethics.

Who can participate?

Sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities who have a commitment to diversity initiatives, social justice projects, faith-based programs and community outreach. Consideration will also be given to students who are the first in their family to attend college or those who have attended a community college as a part of a four-year degree program. Please note: Students who have already graduated from an undergraduate program and those who may be considering second career options will be considered on a space available basis.

How can I be considered?

Selection for the program is competitive. Students must submit a short application, a personal statement describing their interest in the program, a nomination from a professor, career mentor or faith-based leader, a résumé, and official transcripts. Applications must be submitted by Friday, September 18, 2009. There will be some grants available for travel, and all selected participants will be provided lodging for two nights and meals during the program. Travel grants will be decided during the selection process by the committee based on the numbers of participants selected for the 2009 program and the funding available. Information on the program is available at www.hds.harvard.edu/afa.

Schedule Summary / Program Information

Participants will receive a detailed itinerary at the time of admission to the program and again at registration. All meals are provided during the course of the three-day program. Some of HDS’s faculty, staff and departments will hold open office hours, including the offices of Student Life, Registrar, Career Services, Religious and Spiritual Life, and Ministry Studies. Program participants will have an opportunity to sit in on classes and meet current students, faculty, staff and alumni during meals and at other occasions throughout the program. Andover-Harvard Theological Library will be open to visitors and participants will be provided with information on events open to the public throughout Harvard University. The following schedule provides a summary of the program’s events:

Tuesday, November 3

§ Participants arrive throughout the morning and afternoon; registration; hotel check-in

§ Participants attend open classes throughout the day and HDS Community Tea in the afternoon

§ Participants attend an informal dinner with current HDS students, Diversity and Explorations alumni and staff. Diversity and Explorations alumnus to be featured speaker.

Wednesday, November 4

The second day of the program will include sessions especially designed for Diversity and Explorations participants as well as panels, presentations, and open classes offered during Theological Education Day, which will be hosted on campus to coincide with the second day of the DivEx program. The day’s activities will include:

§ Panels and presentations on HDS programs, resources, and student life

§ Information about admissions and financial aid

§ Open classes and panel discussions for visiting students throughout the day

§ An open house at the Center for the Study of World Religions

§ Lunch with faculty, staff and denominational counselors

§ Open office hours with faculty and staff

§ Campus and library tours

§ Pastoral Preparation and Ordination: Resources at HDS

The day will conclude with a dinner with the HDS dean, alumni, current students, faculty, and staff. The keynote address will be given by Davíd Carrasco, Neil L. Rudenstine Professor for the Study of Latin America in the Faculty of Divinity and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

Thursday, November 5

§ Continuation of panel discussions, including preparing for GRE workshop

§ Lunch with Harvard University graduate/professional school representatives and invited guests from seminaries and divinity schools from across the country.

§ Final day of the program concludes by 2pm

§ Check-out of hotel; participants return home

Note: schedule is subject to change.

Application, Notification of Decisions, and Registration

Applications must be received by Friday, September 18, 2009. Students will be notified by Friday, October 5 regarding their selection. Participants register on November 3 at Harvard Divinity School, where they will receive program materials and a detailed schedule of program activities and other events at HDS and Harvard University. Applications will be available in July at www.hds.harvard.edu/afa.

Travel and Lodging

Once the Office of Admissions has received confirmation of attendance, arrangements will be made with participants for lodging (local students may waive lodging). Participants who receive travel grants will work with the Office of Admissions to arrange travel. Other participants must make their own travel arrangements and notify the Office of Admissions by October 16 along with a copy of the travel itinerary.

We welcome you to visit our website at www.hds.harvard.edu for information about Harvard Divinity School.

Amazing April 09 Grads: Your Diplomas may be a bit delayed

2009-06-19T13:21:00.002-04:00

A message from the Registrar’s office:

"As a result of the severe thunderstorms in the Pittsburgh area on Wednesday
evening, 06/17/2009, a number of University buildings experienced major
flooding. The University Registrar’s Office in G3 Thackeray Hall was one
of those areas. Consequently, all of the diplomas for April graduates were
destroyed. We are in the process of working with our diploma vendor to
reprint the diplomas as quickly as possible. It is anticipated that we will
be able to mail the reprinted diplomas on or about July 2nd."

Congratulations again to our amazing April 09 graduates!

2009-06-16T13:38:00.001-04:00

We received official notification today from the Dean's office that the Department had 14 majors and 24 minors graduate in April.

Something noteworthy and unprecedented: All 14 majors graduated with "Latin" honors: cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude, based on overall academic performance as undergraduates. Quite an accomplishment for the Religious Studies class of 2009.

Enjoy the rest of your summer.

Summer Business

2009-05-11T14:04:00.002-04:00

Important notes for the summer:

1) Wednesday July 8 is the deadline for continuing students to register for the fall term without a penalty. But see below--don't wait that long or I will not be able to help you with registration.

2) Friday July 10 is the deadline to apply for December 2009 graduation in 140 Thackeray Hall. But

3) You can register for classes in a summer session up to the day the summer session starts.

4) I will be available for emergency advising (i.e. you need to register for the summer or fall) on an ad hoc basis in May and June. E-mail first. The department will not have an advisor in July or August (until the beginning of the fall term) and you will have to make arrangements with the A&S Advising Center if you need an advisor's signature on something.

5) I will be going on leave for the fall term and will relinquish my duties as Director of Undergraduate Studies. Watch this space for an announcement of the new DUS in a few weeks.

6) The department office is closed most of the time during this quiet period and pending the arrival of a new department administrator. We will post an announcement here once the office is back to regular hours. In the meantime, if you need to pick up a paper or leave something for a faculty member, you should make arrangements in advance with the faculty member or TA so as not to arrive on the 26th floor of the Cathedral to find the office locked up.

Ossip Writing Awards

2009-04-23T12:53:00.001-04:00

If you wrote a 1903 paper this year or another substantial research paper, you should consider enteringt this contest!

THE 2009 OSSIP AWARDS
FOR EXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE WRITING

Sponsored by the School of Arts and Sciences

The School of Arts and Sciences is pleased to announce our annual writing competition. Its purpose is to recognize and promote fine nonfiction prose writing in the Natural Sciences, the Social Sciences, and the Humanities. Cash prizes will be awarded for winning entries in the categories of Research Writing (projects involving substantial analysis of primary sources or data) and Critical Writing (projects involving critical analysis of a text, artifact, problem, issue, or experience—with or without the use of secondary sources).

The 2009 competition will consider pieces written for courses taken at the University of Pittsburgh during the 2007-2008 or 2008-2009 academic years (Fall, Spring, or Summer Terms). Submissions will be judged by the College Writing Board, and the awards will be acknowledged at the Honors Convocation.

Guidelines for Submission:
1. Papers must have been written by a matriculated undergraduate student in Arts and Sciences, to fulfill the requirements for a course at the University of Pittsburgh. Papers may be revised before being submitted to the contest.

2. For paper submission, please send or deliver eight clean copies to the Chair of the College Writing Board, Dept of English, 526 CL. The copies should be accompanied by one cover sheet listing the title of the piece; student’s name, address, e-mail address, and Social Security number; the name of the department, the class, and the professor for whom the paper was written; and the category in which the paper belongs (Research or Critical Writing). The title should appear on the first page of the paper; otherwise, the paper should have no identifying information.

3. For electronic submission, please follow the guidelines found on the Writing Across the Curriculum website (www.wac.pitt.edu). The title should appear on the first page of the paper; otherwise, the paper should have no identifying information.

4. All contestants must either include a copy of the assignment that prompted the paper, or attach a preface that explains the assignment in detail. (Please include eight copies for paper submissions.) Submissions without an assignment sheet or preface will not be considered.

5. The deadline for submission is May 15, 2009. Submissions will be accepted any time after February 1, 2009.

6. Fiction and poetry are not eligible for the Ossip Award.

Volunteer Nature and Social Projects in Israel

2009-04-23T12:39:00.000-04:00

Dear Sir/Madam,

My name is Jonathan Gilben (Geography graduate from the University of Nottingham, U.K.) and I work with the Israel Nature and Parks Authority and other leading NGO's in Israel.

Together we run non-profit volunteer projects for the protection of endangered species & social aid in Israel, some of which promote peace initiatives in the region.

...we hope that your students will enjoy a unique opportunity to volunteer while experiencing Israel’s diverse cultural and natural environment.

The volunteer projects are posted at: goeco.org/israel

Please feel free to contact me for any questions you may have.

Thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely yours,
Jonathan Gilben

GoEco
13 Rozanis St.
Tel-Aviv 69018, Israel
Tel: 972-3-6474208
Fax: 972-3-6485655
Cell: 972-50-5762797
goeco@goeco.org / goeco@goeco.co.il
www.goeco.org / www.goeco.co.il
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Cultural Studies Presenations

2009-04-23T11:59:00.002-04:00

Done with exams and interested in a little more intellectual stimulation before your summer job?

The Graduate Program for Cultural Studies presents:
Graduate Colloquium and Guest Lecture
Friday, April 24, 2009
2:30-6:30pm
1501 Posvar Hall

Please join us for three presentations by students from Joshua Lund’s Cultural Studies Common Seminar, “Race in the Americas: The Biopolitical Turn,” followed by a
guest lecture by renowned philosopher, Roberto Esposito.

Program:
2:30pm: Graduate Student Presentations:
Josh Beaty (Communications). “Border Patrols: The Creation and Maintenance of the Israeli People through Film and Television.”

Alessandra Chiriboga (Hispanic Languages and Literatures). “Security against Life: The Guatemalan ‘model village’.”

Sarah Ohmer (Hispanic Languages and Literatures). “Performative Responses to State Racism: 'KRUMPing' in the HollyWatts and the 'AfroReggae Cultural Movement' in Rio de Janeiro.”

3:30pm: Refreshments

Please join us in room 2201 Posvar for some coffee and sweets.
4:00pm: Guest Lecture: "Time For Biopolitics" by visiting philosopher, Roberto Esposito (Italian Institute for the Human Sciences, Naples)

A Q & A with Esposito will follow the lecture.
The event is free and open at all. All lectures will be delivered in English. Please come to listen and to help us celebrate the end of the semester!

Writing Fellowship: Judaism and Social Justice

2009-04-23T10:46:00.001-04:00

American Jewish World Service (AJWS) is pleased to announce that we are accepting applications for the Dvar Tzedek Lisa Goldberg Memorial Writers' Fellowship for 5770 / 2009-2010. AJWS Dvar Tzedek Fellows receive a modest stipend and write weekly Torah commentaries relating to the Jewish imperative for social justice. The Dvar Tzedek currently reaches over 4,000 people a week over e-mail.

To download the application for the fellowship, see here: http://ajws.org/what_we_do/education/publications/dvar_tzedek/dt_fellowship_application.pdf.
To see examples of the work of this year's Dvar Tzedek fellows, visit www.ajws.org/parshah.

We invite you to apply for the fellowship and to circulate information about the fellowship to anyone you think would be interested. For more information, please contact Lisa Exler at lexler@ajws.org.

Summer Courses: Religions of the West and Religions of Asia

2009-04-22T13:13:00.002-04:00

As many of you know, summer courses must gain a minimum enrollment in order to be offered. The time when the Dean makes the decision about whether to cancel a course is approaching quickly as we near the end of the spring term. If you have been planning to take Religions of the West or Religions of Asia during the summer term but have not yet registered for them, please do so now. The Dean's office will make decisions in the next two weeks based on enrollment numbers--for better or for worse, the Dean cannot read your mind.

E-mail me and I will register you.

REMINDER: END OF SEMESTER EVENT FOR UNDERGRADUATES THIS FRIDAY

2009-04-14T14:53:00.001-04:00

This is an excellent opportunity to eat free pizza and get a preview of what kinds of research you might do in the capstone course (Religious Studies 1903).

Friday April 17: End-of-the-Semester Event for Undergraduates

The Department of Religious Studies
University of Pittsburgh

Come celebrate the end of the semester with
FREE PIZZA
and three short talks by the spring-term
Religious Studies 1903 students on their research projects:

Kara Birchard
“Enculturation: The Church Fathers on Women’s Roles”

Timothy Jackson
“Catholicism as a Minority Religion in Mongolia and India”

Candice Roberson
“Blood-Red Africa: The Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke
and his Mission to Convert a Continent”

Friday April 17, 2009, 12 noon-1 pm
2628 Cathedral of Learning

Questions and RSVP: ashear@pitt.edu

Pre-Law Advisor/Liberal Arts Career Consultant Leaving at End of Semester

2009-04-12T11:39:00.003-04:00

After April 17th, Angela Illig will be transitioning into a new position at GSPIA, as Assistant Director of Career Services, and will no longer be acting as the Pre-Law Advisor and Career Consultant for Liberal Arts out of the Career Development Office.
She writes: "I have enjoyed working with all of you and our students at the University in my role, and wish all of you and the undergraduate student population continued success in the future."

If you have already worked with her and have follow-up questions feel free to contact her (illig@pitt.edu) during this transistion.

If you are now seeking career advice for law school or other professions for the first time, please consult with Career Services to get contact information for the new Pre-Law Advisor/Career Consultant.

April 16: Lecture: "Texts and Rites for the Pre-Baptismal Period"

2009-04-12T11:36:00.002-04:00

Lecture--Texts and Rites for the Pre-baptismal Period: the Mother, Child, Midwife, and the Priest
Thursday April 16
3:00PM - 4:30PM
1401 Cathedral of Learning
Audience: General Public
Cost: Free
Sponsored by: Center for Russian and East European Studies, Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures

Margaret Dimitrova, Sofia University, Bulgaria

Friday April 17: End-of-the-Semester Event for Undergraduates

2009-04-06T09:44:00.003-04:00

The Department of Religious Studies
University of Pittsburgh

Come celebrate the end of the semester with
FREE PIZZA
and three short talks by the spring-term
Religious Studies 1903 students on their research projects:

Kara Birchard
“Enculturation: The Church Fathers on Women’s Roles”

Timothy Jackson
“Catholicism as a Minority Religion in Mongolia and India”

Candice Roberson
“Blood-Red Africa: The Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke
and his Mission to Convert a Continent”

Friday April 17, 2009, 12 noon-1 pm
2628 Cathedral of Learning

Questions and RSVP: ashear@pitt.edu

Wednesday April 8: DEPARTMENT COLLOQUIUM

2009-04-06T09:42:00.001-04:00

Religion and Civil Society Actors in International Development: A Report on the Early Stages of a Project on Religion, Political Voice, and Accountability

Paul J. Nelson, Associate Professor of International Development, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh

Noon, 2628 Cathedral of Learning
Department of Religious Studies Brown Bag Lunch Colloquium

Paul Nelson's research interests include non-governmental organizations; transparency in international organizations; religion and civil society; and human rights and development. Coauthor of New Rights Advocacy: Changing Strategies of Development and Human Rights NGOs [with Ellen Dorsey] (Georgetown University Press, 2008), Dr. Nelson is currently working on "Religious Institutions and Voices in International Development," funded by the Henry Luce Foundation (2008-2011).

Friday April 10: Lecture "Resistance in the Minsk Ghetto"

2009-04-06T09:41:00.002-04:00

Department of Sociology
Pittsburgh Social Movements Forum
Politics and Culture Concentration
present

Uncovering an Anti-Fascist Political Culture:
Resistance in the Minsk Ghetto

In the World War Two Minsk ghetto, a political culture of resistance was created under the noses of the German occupiers, on the basis of a Communist underground intertwined with networks of non-Communists, both involving links between the ghetto and the surrounding city. The inter-ethnic solidarity that flourished in Minsk during the war stood in contrast to the widespread abandonment of Jews elsewhere by local populations. In this talk Barbara Epstein will describe the networks of resistance that flourished in wartime Minsk and address the question of why solidarity was so much stronger in Minsk than elsewhere in German-occupied Eastern Europe. She will also describe what it was like to reconstruct an oppositional political culture, of which virtually no trace remained but the memories of survivors.

Friday, April 10, 2009
Noon – 1:30 p.m.
4606 Posvar Hall

An E-mail from "Nourish"

2009-04-03T09:57:00.003-04:00

I'm working with Nourish International, winner of the 2008 North Carolina Peace Prize for excellence in cross-cultural solutions and sustainable development.

Nourish International is a student movement to eradicate global poverty. During the school year, Nourish Chapters run small businesses called "Ventures." The money they earn is invested in sustainable development projects that they choose. Over the summer, they travel abroad to work alongside their community partner in implementing the project.

To expand our impact, we're looking for students to found Nourish Chapters at their respective universities. Students who apply and are selected for our Chapter Founders Program will receive $500 in start-up capital, professional training and support in founding their own chapter and will gain valuable experience in the process.

Best,

Caroline Shedlock and the Nourish Team

=====================

In our world, as of 2009:

1.1 billion people lack access to clean water, 850 million people are malnourished, and 8 million people die each year because they are simply too poor to stay alive.

You can change this today.

Nourish International is a student movement to eradicate global poverty. During the school year, Nourish Chapters run small businesses called "Ventures." Using the money they earn, Chapters plan and invest in sustainable community development projects. Students then travel abroad to partner with local communities in implementing those solutions.

To expand our impact, we're looking for students on your campus who want to be a part of the solution to global poverty and challenge themselves in the process. These students will receive professional training and support as they start a Nourish Chapter at their school – building membership, running ventures and implementing sustainable development projects overseas.

There are several ways to get involved:

Apply to be a Chapter Founder – Between now and April 19th Nourish is accepting applications for its Chapter Founders Program. This spring, we'll be selecting student leaders from 10 campuses across the country to receive professional training, support and $500 start-up capital.
Tell a friend – If Nourish isn't the right opportunity for you, you can still help accomplish our mission of eradicating global poverty. Spreading the word to just three people drastically raises our chances of finding the right student on your campus.

About Nourish International

Nourish International was founded in 2003 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as the student group Hunger Lunch. Since incorporating as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit in 2006, Nourish has begun chapters on 23 campuses nationwide. In 2008, Nourish was awarded the North Carolina Peace Prize for excellence in cross-cultural solutions and sustainable development.

Since inception, Nourish students have raised and invested more than $100,000 in sustainable development projects in 14 communities worldwide.

Act now - applications are being reviewed as they come in!

Sincerely,

The Nourish Team
chapter.founders@nourishinternational.org
www.nourishinternational.org/founders

--
Eight million people will die this year because they're too poor to stay alive - You can change this TODAY.

Apply to be a Nourish Chapter Founder: http://www.nourishinternational.org/students -- next deadline is April 19th.

Eradicating poverty by engaging students and empowering communities.

Nourish International Chapter Founders Team
office: 919.747.3642
chapter.founders@nourishinternational.org
http://www.nourishinternational.org