Priestley Award

Tuesday, September 25, 2007
7:00 p.m. – Anita Tuvin Schlechter Auditorium

Social, Technical and Economic Consequences of the Internet Evolution

Vinton Cerf, one of the founding fathers of the internet, will discuss new internet products and services that may be appearing over the next decade. He will also explore the business consequences of dramatic changes in the economics of computing, networking and international demographics. Dr. Cerf will receive the Priestley award for his key technical and managerial role in the creation of the Internet, in particular, for leading the development of the TCP/IP protocols. Co-sponsored by the mathematics and computer science department.

Issue in Context
It is difficult to identify anything that has changed our lives to the extent that the Internet has. While the 19th century industrial revolution led to manufacturing prowess, expanding GDP and an increase in per capita purchasing power, the technological revolution which so much of Dr.Cerf’s work represents has captured the essence of human evolution and has taken us places previously incomprehensible. Who would have imagined that we could one day monitor the progress of our washer/dryer from our office desk? Who would have imagined that we could one day browse BBC online Read more

United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, 43rd First Lady of Pennsylvania

The Constitution Day Address: The Constitution and Civic Responsibility

Monday, September 24, 2007
7:00 p.m. – Anita Tuvin Schlechter Auditorium
As a federal judge, First Lady and citizen, The Honorable Marjorie O. Rendell is passionate about civic learning. She has said, “We are the newest guardians of our democracy. It is important that we rededicate ourselves to the creation of those “voices of the people” proficient in understanding and willing to sacrifice for the rights and responsibilities embodied in our Constitution. We have a duty as “living” citizens to educate our youngest so that they not only know the words, “we the people…,” but fully embrace their meaning.” Co-sponsored by the department of political science.

Issue in Context
On September 17, 1787, thirty-nine men signed the U.S. Constitution, giving the people sovereignty under the American government. As the oldest written national constitution in use, the United States Constitution stands as a model of statesmanship and cooperation. September 17, 2007 marked the 220th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution; this date serves as a reminder of the Founding Father’s legacy and American citizen’s responsibility to uphold Read more

Life and Debt

StephanieBlack092007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
7:00 p.m. – Stern Center, Great Room
Film showing and discussion with the filmmaker.
The film features Jamaica, land of sea, sand and sun, and a prime example of the impact economic globalization can have on a developing country. Using conventional and unconventional documentary techniques, this searing film dissects the “mechanism of debt” that is destroying local agriculture and industry while substituting sweatshops and cheap imports. With a voice-over narration written by Jamaica Kincaid, adapted from her book A Small Place, Life and Debt is an unapologetic look at the “new world order,” from the point of view of Jamaican workers, farmers, government and policy officials who know the reality of globalization from the ground up. Co-sponsored by campus academic life (first year seminars/learning communities).

Issue in Context
At what expense comes the global economic domination of industrial capitalist countries? The globalization process currently spreading through the world has many negative effects. In developing countries like Jamaica, many economic policies are adversely affecting the lives of the population. This process is fueled by multi-national economic organizations, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank. Read more

Saturday, March 24, 2007 – The Carlisle Theatre
Panel Discussion – 7:00 p.m.
Film Showing – 7:45 p.m.
Discussion with Director, Philip Haas – 9:30 p.m.

Local Newspaper Reviews
The Sentinel
The Patriot-News

About the Film
The Situation, the first U.S. feature film that focuses on the occupation in Iraq, attempts to portray the conflict fairly and accurately. The film is co-written by director Philip Haas and journalist Wendell Steavenson, who spent a year reporting from Iraq. Strategically filmed in Morocco with a cast including many local actors, The Situation adeptly illustrates the interactions between Iraqis and American soldiers.
Producer Liaquat Ahamed said the idea for the film was inspired by “the feeling that, though the papers were full of Iraq, no one seemed to be able to understand it. People had a hunger to get inside the Middle East. […] News 4 reports were somehow unable to satisfy that curiosity.” Despite the mass media coverage of the war in Iraq, many people remain confused and lack a working understanding of the war and the United States’ role in the conflict. Director Philip Haas hoped to create a story that audiences could understand. He said, “you see the human toll, Read more

Thursday, April 12, 2007
7:00 p.m. – Stern Center, Great Room
Margaret Levi, University of Washington, Jere L. Bacharach Professor of International Studies

Organizational membership sometimes changes the beliefs people hold about the nature of the world and, consequently, their behavior. This seems to be what is happening among some terrorist groups and a subset of religious, political, and labor organizations. Levi investigates this problem with an in-deph investigation of several unions in the United States and Australia, whose members routinely engage in political and social activities that do not have obvious, immediate payoffs to the membership in terms of wages, hours, and working conditions.
Co-sponsored by Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar Program and Dickinson Phi Beta Kappa.

Issue in Context
Left-wing longshore union members give up time and money to fight on behalf of social justice causes from which they can expect no personal material return. Nationalists make vulnerable their freedom and their lives for the sake of seemingly unattainable goals. What beliefs and preferences guide those choices and how are they formed? Levi argues that individuals (1) develop different preferences (2) as a consequence of an organizational culture that produces contingent consent with leadership and its goals. Read more

Tuesday, March 20, 2007
7:00 p.m. – Stern Center, Great Room
Pflaum Lecture
Lamin Sanneh, D. Willis James Professor of Missions and World Christianity at Yale University History Department

The lecture will assess the role of religion in the new world order and suggest how historical study can help illuminate present-day challenges.
Co-sponsored by the history department

“Continuing the Conversation”
All are welcome to stay for The Clarke Forum’s student led follow-up discussion immediately following the presentation. Refreshments provided.

Issue in Context
The spiritual dogma of Islamic Fundamentalism that prompted the 9/11 terrorist attacks horrified individuals of all religious and ethnic backgrounds, and brought the use of violence under the guise of a religious calling to the forefront of global attention. Religious responses to 9/11 varied considerably in both the United States and in countries around the world, ranging from an increased prominence of religion in society to a newfound interest in religious studies to blatantly anti-religious sentiment. In reaction to the terrorists’ Islamic Fundamentalist beliefs, individuals were particularly curious about the Islamic faith, a religion widely known for its doctrine of peace. Unprecedented global tension with regard to religious fundamentalists prompted President Bush to call for respect toward Read more

Tuesday, March 6, 2007
8:00 p.m. – Weiss Center, Rubendall Recital Hall
Osubi I. Craig, traditional West African percussionist, performing artist, musical accompanist, arts educator and advocate

1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Students and the public are invited to the World Music Class led by Professor Wlodarski
Weiss Center – Rm. 235

The group breaks down the composition of rhythmic music in Africa and demonstrates its direct influence on modern American music from African drums to Hip-Hop. The program continues with a musical examination of the links between Afro-Brazilian percussion, Afro-Cuban percussion, and West African percussion, which highlights the wonderful sounds of Africa found in the Caribbean and South America and how they connect back to Africa.
Co-sponsored by the music department and Dean of Students Office

About the Group
Osubi Imo Craig promotes African-American culture through his work as a percussionist, artist, accompanist and advocate for the Pan-African cultural movement. He is also an educator, as he teaches audiences through workshops, demonstrations, and performances.
As a staff musician in the Alvin Ailey American Dance School of Arts in Education program, Craig has spent extensive time working with children. He has been an artist in the Philly Pops, Lincoln Read more