Lectures/Talks

African Studies @ NOON- Thursday, May 17
The African Studies @ NOON discussion will be led by Charles Cantalupo, Distinguished Professor of English, Comparative Literature, and African Studies, Chair of the Honors Council and a member of the Humanities program at Penn State University, Schuylkill Campus. Dr. Cantalupo will present his recent book Joining Africa – From Anthills to Asmara.

Joining Africa – From Anthills to Asmara begins with Charles Cantalupo asking himself how he became so engaged with Africa. It is an eye-opening personal history that tells the story of an 
American college professor’s twenty-year engagement with a thriving Africa rarely encountered by Western visitors. At once adventurous, spiritual, political, dreamlike, and humorous, Joining Africa is a unique documentary of a journey through the continent, including an intense five-year encounter with economically struggling but culturally fertile Eritrea.  The session, co-sponsored by the Department of English, will take place 12- 1PM, Thursday, May 3, Multicultural Center.

International Studies Forum- Friday, May 18
Dr. Ryan Skinner, Assistant Professor of Ethnomusicology from The Ohio State University will present on ‘Music and the Politics of Culture in Mali: A Postcolonial History’. The forum will be held in Scripps Auditorium 111, 3-4:30pm. A reception will follow the presentation.

Events

Salaam Concert- Wednesday, May 9, 7:00 PM in Robert Glidden Hall
On Wednesday, May 9, the Bloomington, IN-based musical group, Salaam, will be giving a concert beginning at 7:00 PM in Robert Glidden Hall (Room 400--the faculty recital hall).  
Salaam has for several years performed for audiences throughout the United States and has recorded several CDs that have gained major media attention (Billboard Magazine, National Public Radio).  From their website: Salaam possesses an "expansive repertoire of Middle Eastern and North African music. Salaam is true to the traditions, informing the uninitiated, and evoking nostalgia in listeners who are familiar with the art form.  What sets Salaam apart is the versatility of its musicians, whose deep knowledge of Eastern and Western styles gives them the flexibility to move effortlessly between genres. The sound, while rooted in maqam (the modal system used throughout the Middle East), infuses tasteful forays into jazz, rock, blues, classical and avant garde.  Salaam, whose name means "peace" in Arabic, is a musical ambassador for peaceful coexistence”.  Admission is free to everyone--students, faculty, and community members. Sponsors include Arts for Ohio and several sponsoring programs and departments.

Arabian Night, Thursday, May 10
Hosted by the Arabic Language Student Association in Bromley Banquet Hall from 6:30-8:30pm. Tickets are $5 and available at ISFS.

International week- May 13-19
Tuesday May 15: International Tea Tasting, 4-5PM, WIEC 106
Wednesday, May 16: ‘A Taste of Study Abroad’ -5-7pm, Grover Atrium
Thursday, May 17: ISU Talent Show, 6-9pm, Baker University Center Theater
Friday, May 18: International Studies Forum, 3pm, Scripps 111
Saturday, May 19:  30th International Street Fair
Please click here  for a detailed schedule of events

Weekly Events

Swahili Conversation Table
The Swahili Table is a weekly opportunity for Kiswahili speakers at Ohio University to meet, practice Kiswahili, and discuss topics of East Africa and scholarship. Swahili Table is an excellent opportunity for students of Kiswahili and native speakers alike to share their knowledge and interest in Kiswahili. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join! Please visit the Swahili Table website for information on weekly meeting times and locations.  

Stand Against Genocide
STAND is the student branch of United to End Genocide (formerly Genocide Intervention Network and the Save Darfur Coalition). At OU STAND, our work primarily focuses on ending corporate complicity in the violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We provide students with meaningful, hands-on activism and advocacy experience, and bring the "think globally, act locally" mantra to life through our Bobcats for a Conflict-free Campus campaign. Our chapter is highly motivated, and has pioneered innovative strategies and tactics that are being touted as models for the national student anti-genocide movement. All are encouraged to participate in our precedent-setting work. Interested students can also follow us on Twitter (@OU_STAND) or join our Facebook group (Bobcats for a Conflict-free Campus).

Summer Classes

The Political Economy of Sport in Africa
INST 610A- Seminar in International Relations
Mon-Thurs, 9am-12NOON, Grover E206
This course will investigate how sport and the political economy of Africa relate and explain each other's transformation. The commonly called “modern” sport in African societies has always been entrenched in the political and socio-economic transformation of these societies. From being a colonial and liberation instrument, African sport served as a nation building tool and evolved with local, transnational and global causes and agenda. In the global context of an increasing commodification of sport practices, this course examines the political economy of sport in Africa and emphases on understanding the role of sport in the transformation of African societies.

Some of the topics to be covered include: history of sport, anti-apartheid movements and  independence struggles, athletes migration, media and communication technologies, nationalism, the modern state, globalization, the international sport governing bodies and institutions, African  elite versus mass sport, and the hosting of “mega events.” The course will pay close attention the political and socio-economic environment of African societies as well as the global sport. For more information, please contact Dr Akindes at akindesg@ohio.edu.

African Studies Language Institute (ASLI)
Program dates: June 18- August 3 2012
The intensive summer African languages program will allow students will earn course credit equivalent to one academic year of instruction. Classes will meet 5 hours a day, Monday through Friday. Language offerings include (Akan, isiZulu, Somali, Swahili and Wolof).  Though we have capabilities to offer these languages for the beginner and intermediate levels, the level to be offered will depend on student interest. For more information, please email Dr Githinji at githinji@ohio.edu.

Opportunities

Graduate Assistant for Programming needed- Walter International Education Center
The WIEC is seeking a Graduate Assistant for Programming for the 2012-2013 academic year. For more information, please contact Scott Kreps (kreps@ohio.edu).

Rotary Peace Fellowships, 2013
Applications are now being accepted for the 2013 Rotary Peace Fellowships. Rotary Peace Fellows are leaders promoting national and international cooperation, peace, and the successful resolution of conflict throughout their lives, in their careers, and through service activities. Fellows can earn either a master’s degree in international relations, public administration, sustainable development, peace studies, conflict resolution, or a related field, or a professional development certificate in peace and conflict resolution.

The Rotary Peace Centers Master’s Fellowship was designed to build the peace leaders of tomorrow. Fellows are awarded 15-24 month fellowships to earn Master’s degrees in Peace and Conflict Resolution. They study at one of five Rotary Peace Centers all over the world. Fellows also complete a two to three month paid practical internship experience. For more information on the Rotary Peace Centers, click here.

OVIC: Cultural Consultants needed
Please help us to share knowledge and understanding about other countries in the world with the southeastern Ohio community by becoming a cultural consultant with the Ohio Valley International Council (OVIC).  OVIC promotes cultural and global sensitivity and helps to combat stereotypes in Southeast Ohio by offering cultural presentations in K-12 classrooms. 
 A typical OVIC visit consists of a team of 2-3 students called “Cultural Consultants” (OHIO students from any world area or U.S. students who have lived abroad for at least one year) who visit a school for 1-2 class periods, depending upon their availability and classroom needs. Cultural Consultants’ presentations generally cover culture, geography, and language, are age appropriate, fun and interactive. The program is free of charge to the schools. Transportation and a $30 payment are provided to each cultural consultant for every visit.   For more information, please contact Vieux Toure at vt079511@ohio.edu. The cultural consultant application can be found here.