Final Program

University Student Commons – Academic Campus

 Sponsored by the

International Studies Program

With valuable support from

National Endowment for the Humanities ^. VCU Libraries

Department of Foreign Languages ^. Department of English

College of Humanities and Sciences ^. Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution providing access to education and employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, political affiliation or disability.

VIII Annual International Studies Student Research Conference

Virginia Commonwealth University

November 21-22, 2002

All events take place in the Student Commons, Academic Campus

Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia

The conference registration desk in the Commons

opens at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 21

and Friday, November 22.

Program Summary

 Thursday, November 21

 Special Exhibits

11:00-3:15 PM:   Study & Work Abroad Opportunities, Capital Ballroom A

12:30-3:15 PM:   Video Screening Room, Capital Ballroom D

Sessions

11:00-12:15 PM:    Session I panels, Capital Ballrooms B & C

12:30-1:45 PM:      Session II panels, Capital Ballrooms B & C

 2:00-3:15 PM:       Session III panel, Capital Ballrooms B & C

 3:30-4:30 PM:       Roundtable on International Careers, Capital Ballroom D

 7:30-8:30 PM:       Plenary Session: Capital Ballrooms A-B

Friday, November 22

 11 AM-12:30 PM: Session IV panels, Capital Ballrooms A & B

11:00-11:50 AM:   Session V panels, Capital Ballrooms C & D

12:00-12:50 PM:    Session VI panels, Capital Ballrooms C & D

1:00-1:50 PM:        Session VII panels, Capital Ballrooms A & C

2:00-2:50 PM:        Session VIII panel, Capital Ballroom C

Reception

3:00-3:50 PM:     Reception for French Majors & Minors, Capital Ballroom C

Panel Schedule

Thursday, November 21, Special Exhibits

11:00 a.m.-3:15 p.m.

Study & Work Abroad Opportunities (Capital Ballroom A)

Organizer: Jennifer Ludovici, Acting Director, VCU Study Abroad

Ever dreamed of broadening your horizons?  Drop in to see how far some VCU students have gone.  They’ll share photos, mementos, souvenirs, and stories from their studies abroad. Come see how international experience enhances almost any field. Shalonda Brooks, VCU graduate and returned Peace Corps Volunteer, will also be on hand to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the Peace Corps.

12:30 p.m.-3:15 p.m.

Video Screening Room (Capital Ballroom D)

Two new original videos by Claudia Ferman, PhD, University of Richmond:

12:30 p.m. LA VOZ DE RIGOBERTA, NIETA DE LOS MAYAS. 

This video deals with the last two publications by Menchú: "La nieta de los mayas" (1998), y "Li M'in, una niña de Chimel" (2000).  The video examines how Rigoberta's voice is expressed in "dictated" or collaborative texts, the contents of that voice, and the movement that converts it into writing. 20 mins.  In Spanish.

1:00 p.m. EL CONTINENTE McCONDO.

This video explores new trends in contemporary Latin American literature through interviews with three writers of the new generation: Alberto Fuguet, Sergio Gomez (Chile) and Mariana Enriquez (Argentina).  The writers discuss the radical change in the cultural settings, relations between culture and globalization and the debates to which their writings are committed.  20 mins.  In Spanish.

 1:30-3:30 pm.

          VCU Libraries shares something new in their collection of videos on themes of crucial importance today.  Life:  A Series about Globalization provides glimpses from around the world illustrating how international economics exert a powerful impact on individual lives.  Many thanks to Media Librarians Nell Chenault and Anita Williams!  You can browse these and other titles of interest at:

www.library.vcu.edu/jbc/govdocs/091101.html

1:30 Geraldo Off-Line (Life:  A Series about Globalization)

The financial meltdown in South East Asia puts Geraldo De Sousa out of work at a Ford factory worker in San Paulo, Brazil.  Is this just an excuse, or is this the harsh reality of the globalized economy?  (24 min.)

2:00 The Boxer (Life:  A Series about Globalization)

Follow Luis as he travels north to the US to realize his dream of becoming a boxer.  He leaves a remote peasant village of southern Mexico.  He must outwit the US border guards and try to integrate into US society. (24 min.)

 2:30 All Different, All Equal (Life:  A Series about Globalization)

This is a five year follow-up to the Beijing Conference on Women.  What progress toward pledged decrease in violence toward women have been made in Brazil, Britain, Fiji, Ireland, Lithuania, Mexico, and South Africa?  (24 min.)

 3:00 Bolivian Blues (Life:  A Series about Globalization)

Poverty, malnutrition and illiteracy hampers foreign investment in Bolivia.    This program explores initiatives to coordinate donor agencies and focus aid on reducing poverty.  (24 min.)

Thursday, November 21, 11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Session I

Session I-B: Feminism in Russia (Capital Ballroom B)

(Students in FLET 391Russian Women: Image and Reality, VCU)

Chair/Discussant: Prof. Gina Kovarsky, Foreign Languages and International Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University

Veronica Dynova           Irina Manelis                   Nancilee Mothershead

Rebecca Rogers              Heidi Sarratt                    Evridicki Yiasemides 

Session I-C: On Latin American Testimonio I (Capital Ballroom C)

(Students in SPAN 475 Women and Writing in Latin American, University of Richmond)

Chair/Discussant: Prof. Claudia Ferman, Modern Languages and Literatures, University of Richmond

Cecelia Ackerman: "Me llamo Rigoberta Menchu y asi me nacio la conciencia: el relato de la cultura como estrategia de resistencia."

Catherine Burgess: " Domitila y las Madres de Plaza de Mayo: voces femeninas en sociedades militarizadas."

Sarah Alcock: "Politica del canon: Rigoberta Menchu en la critica en los Estados Unidos." 

Leslie Canady: "Conexiones entre mujeres mas allá de las naciones latinoamericanas."

 Session I-D: France and the European Union and Planning for the Future of the Union (Capital Ballroom D) (Students in FRE/INTL 491/HUMS/POLI 391 France and the European Union, VCU)

Chair/Discussant: Prof. Patricia Cummins, Foreign Languages, VCU

Erica Gajewski, Jerry Leigers, John Deane, Tamara Cothrell, and Brian Stone, Virginia Commonwealth University, "The Implications of European Union Expansion for Candidate Countries and for France"

Martina Arel, Kevin O'Brien, Heather McDonough, Mireille Truong, Laureen Bidi, Sandra Anger, Virginia Commonwealth University, "L'Expansion de l'Union européenne et les relations franco-britanniques et franco-allemandes"

Thursday, November 21, 12:30-1:45 p.m., Session II

 Session II-B: Aspects of Life and Experience in German-Speaking Europe (Capital Ballroom B)

Chair/Discussant: Prof. Paul Dvorak, Foreign Languages, VCU

Tanja Zlatkovic, "Working in Germany: An Intern's View"

Erin Helland, "University Life in Holland and Germany"

Marcos Gonzalez, "First Impressions: Germany from a Student Tourist's Perspective"

Sonja Schwarz, "Education in Germany: The School System"

Session II-C: On Latin American Testimonio II (Capital Ballroom C)

(Students in SPAN 475 Women and Writing in Latin American, University of Richmond)

Chair/Discussant: Prof. Claudia Ferman, Modern Languages and Literatures, University of Richmond

Kristin Miller: "Salud y genero femenino en Latinoamerica"

Megan Newman: "Testimonio y feminismo global"

Erin Murphy: "Las paradojas del testimonio"

Tara Traynor: "Testimonio y feminismo."

 Thursday, November 21, 2:00-3:15 p.m., Session III

 Session III-B: Understanding African Politics (Capital Ballroom B)

 Chair/Discussant: Prof. Brian Turner, Political Science, Randolph-Macon College

 Carla Owen, Randolph-Macon College, “Freedom House: Women Not Allowed?”

R. Brent Wagner, Randolph-Macon College, “State Capacity and Information Technology in Africa"

Wade Felty, Randolph-Macon College, ECOWAS and AU: A Comparative Analysis of the Effectiveness of Regional and Continental International Organization in Africa"

Jennifer Schuster, Randolph-Macon College, "The Survival of Apartheid-era Immigration Policy in the New South Africa"

Session III-C: Religious Studies Across Cultures (Capital Ballroom C)

Chair/Discussant: Prof. Mark Wood, Religious Studies, VCU

Laura Bethea, Virginia Commonwealth University, "The Causes and Effects of Sin"

 Leah Rosenberg, University of Virginia, "Intra-Buddhist Discourse Concerning the Moral Status of the Fetus"

 Mark Naylor, University of Richmond, "Influences on Leadership Through the Eyes of King Hussein I and Yasser Arafat"

3:30-4:30 p.m.: Roundtable on Careers in International Affairs (Capital Ballroom D)

           Ever wonder how to pursue a career with room for your international interests?  Come learn from the experts!

Thursday, November 21, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Plenary Session

Capital Ballrooms A-B

Osama bin Laden vs. Jalluddin Rumi:

Two Religions, Two Literatures, One Crisis

 Robin Poulton

Senior Research Fellow

United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research and

Affiliate Faculty in the College of Humanities and Sciences

 Co-sponsored by the Department of English and supported by the University Honors Program through an endowment established by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Friday, November 22, 11:00-12:30 p.m., Session IV

Session IV-A: Health and Migration Issues (Capital Ballroom A)

Chair/Discussant: TBA

Vicky A. Jones, University of Virginia, "Understanding the Impact of a Social Disease: A Case Study of Urban Youth and Tuberculosis in the Philippines"

Bruno Welsh, Virginia Commonwealth University, "The World Health Organization: A Critical Analysis of its Impact on Global Health"

Anjali Sahay, Old Dominion University, "India and the United States: From Friendship to Partnership"

Deidra McDowell, Virginia Commonwealth University, "Comparative Study of Governmental Response to Illegal Slums: Informal Settlements in South Africa and Favelas in Brazil"

Session IV-B: Human Rights and Social Justice (Capital Ballroom B)

Chair/Discussant: Prof. Christina Turner, Sociology/Anthropology, Virginia Commonwealth University

Benjamin Mitchell, University of Virginia, "Hobbes on Territoriality and the Limits of Justice"

Charlie Schmidt, Virginia Commonwealth University, "The Failings of Fair Trade"

Kristine Austgulen, Virginia Commonwealth University, "Hidden Genocide: East Timor"

Muna Massaquoi, Virginia Commonwealth University, "Women and Development: Microcredit and the Grammen Bank"

Nabeela Barbari, "Living Conditions in Palestinian Territory"

Friday, November 22, 11:00—11:50 a.m., Session V

Session V-C: Language, Communication and Identities (Capital Ballroom C)

 Chair/Discussant: Prof. R. McKenna Brown, International Studies and Foreign Languages, VCU

Lu Duong, Virginia Commonwealth University, "Language in the Service of Political Propaganda"

Diane Gigantino, University of Richmond, "The Impact of Mass Communications on Bosnia-Herzegovina in the 1990s"

Sana N. Choudary, University of Virginia, "Pakistani History: All Glorification, No Blame"

Session V-D: Case Studies in Nationalism (Capital Ballroom D)

Chair/Discussant: Prof. Chris Saladino, Political Science and Public Administration, VCU

Joshua Walker, University of Richmond, "Globalization and its Impact on Turkey's Leadership"

Jed Leffler, "Iraq Under Saddam Hussein: A Traditional, Expansionist Regime"

Anouar Boukhars, Old Dominion University, "September 11 and the Growing Euro-American Chasm over the Middle East"

William Flanik, Virginia Commonwealth University, "Legitimacy, Nationalism, and Interdependence: The Tao of China's US Policy"

Nadira Myrzalieva, Osh Technical University, Kyrgyzstan, "The Economic and Political North-South Division in Kyrgyzstan: The Case of the Aksi Event"

Friday, November 22, 12:00—12:50 p.m., Session VI

Session VI-C: Constructing the Nation: Ideologies of Power and Architecture in Spain (Capital Ballroom C)

Chair: Prof. Mar Martínez-Góngora, Foreign Languages, Virginia Commonwealth University

          Sarah Vander-Stouwe, Lisa Couch, Kate Carey, and Nicole Keller, "Santiago Matamoros and the Spirit of the Reconquest: The Jacobean Route and the Cathedral of Saint James of Compostela"

          Kenn Wallace, Brandon Jaycox, Crystal Chambers, Jane Tarwacki and Adrieenne Wrenn, "The Church in the Century of the Great Gothic Cathedrals: The Cathedral of Toledo"

Pedro Nieto, María Angela LoPresti and Nikki Smith, "From the Nazaries' Kingdom to Imperial Spain: The Alhambra of Granada and the Palace of Charles V"

Nancy Corbin, Tammie Hanhart an Dian Daniels, "Philip II and the Monastery of San Lorenzo of El Escorial: The Center of the Counter Reformation of the Work of a Christian Prince of the Renaissance?"

Nikki Moore, Asia McDowell, Angie Ramos, Kacie Marrow and Jussara Damon, "Toward a Centralization of the Spanish State: The Bourbon Monarchs and the Royal Palace of Madrid"

Andrew Clark, Tayler Dunaway, Joshua Rickey, and Anita Nadal, "Gaudí, the Catalan Bourgeoisie and the Sacred Family of Barcelona"

Jaroa López, Showna Upshaw, Jorai Sykes and Carmen Denise Flores, "The 21^st Century Architecture and the Basque Identity: The Guggenheim Museum of Bilbao"

Session VI-D: Case Studies in US Foreign Policy (Capital Ballroom D)

 Chair/Discussant: Prof. William Newmann, Political Science & Public Administration, VCU

Stephen McNally, Virginia Commonwealth University, "3-D Protection: An Amateur Analysis of Missile Defense Options"

Kevin O'Brien, Virginia Commonwealth University, "Intelligence and the Security Dilemma: An Analysis of CIA Estimates on the Soviet Strategic Threat, 1968-1985"

Anjali Sahay, Old Dominion University, "The History of US Foreign Policy in South Asia: Predictions for the Future"

Friday, November 22, 1:00—1:50 p.m., Session VII

Session VII-C: "Haitian, Algerian, and Congo Political Situations."

(Capital Ballroom C)

(Students in FRLG 203 Language and Identity: the Francophone World, Virginia Commonwealth University)

Chair/Discussant: Prof. Angelina Overvold, Foreign Languages, Virginia Commonwealth University

Stephanie Bailey            Chimere Faulk    Michael Glennon   

Lashanda Johnson         Genita Jones        Carolyn Kiniry

Christine Koussis            Joshua Lewis        Jamwalane Mack

Marisa Martella               Nina Morris         Altierra Parker

Megan Pugh                   Marcus Sample    Terri Smith

Sherri Stevens                 Mireille Truong    Julia Von Briesen

Matthew Wessler           Puja Mukherjee    Lu Duong

Session VII-D: "Feminist Approaches to Social Justice" (Capital Ballroom D)

Chair/Discussant: Prof. Mark Wood, Religious Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University

                      Hollie S. Mann, Virginia Commonwealth University, "Possibilities and Limitations for a Global Feminist Project and "World" Travel: Lessons Learned by One Western Feminist"

                      Suhani S. Vakil, Virginia Commonwealth University, "Buddhism, Christianity and Women's Liberation"

                      Ashley Smith, Abel Meri, Angela Williams, and Katie Carey, Virginia Commonwealth University, "Women's Rights in Haiti"

Friday, November 22, 2:00—2:50 p.m., Session VIII

Session VIII-C: Le gouvernement francais, ses ministres et leurs projets (Capital Ballroom C)

Chair/Discussant: Prof. Peter Kirkpatrick, Foreign Languages, Virginia Commonwealth University  

Carolina Ossio, "Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Premier minister"

Crystal Greenwood, "Nicolas Sarkozy, Ministre de l'intérieur"

Kevin O'Brien, "Michèle Alliot-Marie, Ministre de la défense"

Kristen Beaton, "Dominique de Villepin, Ministre des affaires étrangères"

Monica Khurana, "Jean-Jacques Aillagon, Ministre de la culture et de la communication"  

Brian Hart, "Luc Ferry, Ministre de la jeunesse et de l'éducation nationale"

Mary Ruth Coleman, "Dominique Perben, Ministre de la justice"

Andrew Guidarelli, "Hervé Gaymard, Ministre de l'agriculture"

Stephane Macabrey, "Brigitte Girardin, Ministre d'outre mer"

Namasha Schelling, "Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin, Ministre de l'écologie"

Mireille Truong, "François Fillon, Ministre des affaires sociales"

Gabriela Villalobos, "Jean-François Mattei, Ministre de la santé"

Dominique Snider, "Gilles de Robien, Ministre du tourisme"

Natrebo Douglas, "Jean-François Lamour, Ministre des sports"

Friday, November 22, 3:00-3:50 p.m.

Reception for French Majors and Minors (Capital Ballroom C)

Many thanks to

National Endowment for the Humanities ^. VCU Libraries

Department of Foreign Languages ^. Department of English

College of Humanities and Sciences