NOVEMBER 20-21, 2003

University Student Commons
Academic Campus

A VCU School of World Studies Event

With Generous Support from:

The VCU Library Systems
Office of International Education
School of Government and Public Affairs

(Th = Thursday; F= Friday)

Session times and sites for Thursday, November 20:

Th 11:00 AM-4:30 PM: Study and Work Abroad Opportunities Capital Ballroom D
Organizers: Jennifer Ludovici, Director of VCU Study Abroad with
Dr. Lynda Weaver-Williams-Religious Studies, School of World Studies
Stop by Capital Ballroom D at any time during conference hours on Thursday and Friday to learn more about opportunities to study abroad. This is an informal area for browsing tables of information and for one-on-one conversation about individual programs and specific opportunities to learn about other cultures, languages, and cuisine by living and learning in another country. Students who have participated in VCU's study abroad programs will be on hand throughout the day to share stories, pictures, and inside information about their personal experiences abroad. Note that there also is a special panel devoted to this topic, scheduled for Friday, November 21 1:00-1:50 PM in Capital Ballroom B.

Th 11:00-12:15 Capital Ballroom A
Conflict (Resolution) in Global Perspective
Chair: Dr. Chris Saladino - Political Science and Public Administration, School of Government and Public Affairs
Lu Duong: "History and Restoration of Nuclear Activity in North Korea"
Panina Kahn: "Beyond the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict"
Christina Cowgill: "Diet, Spirituality, and Global Community"

Th 11:00-12:15 PM: Capital Ballroom B
Civilization in the Time Period of the French Revolution
Chair: Dr. Patricia Cummins - French, School of World Studies
This session will be conducted in French, led by students in the French, 320: Early French Civilization class.
*Note: conducted in French

Th 11:00-12:15: Capital Ballroom C
Truth, Justice, and 'The American Way'
Chair: Dr. Mark Wood - Religious Studies, School of World Studies
Danette Finn: "Liberation Theology and Social Justice in America"
Laura Harmon: "Seeking the Truth in the Age of Corporate Media"
Bill Manzanares: "Industrialization, Profits, and Morality"
Jeremy Humphrey: "The Law of Force and the Law of Love"

Th 12:30-1:45 Capital Ballroom A
Balancing Ideologies and Economic Realities in the New Global Market
Chair:
Dustin Donley: "The Implications of Bilateral Investment Treaties for Global Trade"
Charlie Schmidt: "Free Trade Agreements and the Ideologies behind Them"
Martin Zanin: "Foreign Direct Investment and Democracy in Burma"
James 'Doug' Webster: "Wrestling with Turkmenistan's Rich Resources"

Th 12:30-1:45 Capital Ballroom B
Global Perspectives in Art, Music, and Dance
Chair: Mr. Jon Waybright - Religious Studies, School of World Studies
Nicole Buonviri: "Spiritual Dimensions of Dance - Buddhism and Korean Shaman"
Nanda Devanath: "A Musical Demonstration of Bangladesh's National Anthem"
Rachel Rader: "The Arts as Initiative and Reflection of Change in Civilization"
Suhani Vakil: "Experiments in Islamic and Hindu Themes in Indian Art"

Th 12:30-1:45 PM: Capital Ballroom C
Diversity: Approaches to Cultural/Environmental Identity and Representation
Chair: Dr. Chantal Marechal - French, School of World Studies
Michelle Williamson: "Biodiversity in Belize"
Alexander Marra: "Depictions of Italians and Italian-Americans in the Media"
Michael Ferranti: "Racism as Paradigmatic Form of Oppression"

Th 2:00-3:15 Capital Ballroom A
Problems and Progress concerning HIV/AIDS in Africa and
Perspectives of the Relationship between Islam and Government
Chair: Dr. Christopher Brooks - School of World Studies
Bettina P. Velena: "Culture Politics of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic"
Renee Elaine Glisson: "HIV/AIDS in Southern African Nations
Aaron Larrimore: "Tenuous Diversity: The Shari'a and Pluralism in Nigeria"
James Yassine: "Islam and Government in the Middle Eastern Countries"

Th 2:00-3:15 Capital Ballroom B
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Theology of Liberation
Chair: Dr. Mark Wood - Religious Studies, School of World Studies
Joey Austin: "The Concept of Agape in King's Thought"
Kent South: "The Religious Diversity of King's Theology"
Chris Pawlyk: "The Theological Underpinnings of King's Ethics"
Travis Reed: "Post-Racial Politics and King's Theology"

Th 2:00-3:15 PM: Capital Ballroom C
Sex, Gender, Religion, and Justice
Chair: Dr. Anders Linde-Laursen - Anthropology, School of World Studies
Derwin Hickman: "Women in Islam"
April Wilmink: "Social Change and the Inequality of Women"
Emily Hooker: "Religion and the Global Gag Rule"

Th 3:30-4:30 PM: Capital Ballroom A
Rituals and Narratives of Transformation
Chair: Ms. Esther Nelson - Religious Studies, School of World Studies
April Shockley: "The Pursuit of Beauty in Murasaki Shikibu's The Tale of Genji"
Beverly A. Folarin: "The Yoruba Creation Story"
James Brame: "Diversity of Expressions in Afro-Brazilian Spirit Possession Groups"
Eric Jarrard: "Cultural Bases for the International Appeal of Harry Potter"

Th 3:30-5:00 PM: Capital Ballroom B
Archaeological Investigations at the Rice Center
Chair: Dr. Amber Bennett - Anthropology, School of World Studies
Tony Bradley: "Prehistoric Occupations at the Rice Center"
Jonathan Henriques: "The Contact Period at the Rice Center"
Brian Andriliunas: "General George McClellan and the Union Occupation of the Rice Center"
Jolene Updike: "Union Camp Life at the Rice Center"
Leigh Jackson: "Archaeology of Civil War Arms and Strategies at the Rice Center"
Jessica Garber: "Biological and Chemical Contributions to Archaeology at the Rice Center"

Th 3:30-4:30 C Capital Ballroom C
Perspectives on Globalization
Chair: Dr. Christopher J. Saladino - Political Science and Public Administration, School of Government and Public Affairs
This session is a roundtable discussion on the topic of globalization. It is organized around a variety of arguments that students have proposed and intend to discuss in detail. Participating students include Daniel Beason, Dustin Donley, Mike Hatchett, Jed Leffler, Will McNamara, Andre Weldy, and Martin Zanin. Attendees also are encouraged to participate in the discussion.

Session times and sites for Friday, November 21

F 9:00 AM-2:50 PM: Study and Work Abroad Opportunities Capital Ballroom D
Organizers: Jennifer Ludovici, Director of VCU Study Abroad with
Dr. Lynda Weaver-Williams-Religious Studies, School of World Studies
Stop by Capital Ballroom D at any time during conference hours on Thursday and Friday to learn more about opportunities to study abroad. This is an informal area for browsing tables of information and for one-on-one conversation about individual programs and specific opportunities available to you to learn about other cultures, languages, and cuisine by living and learning in another country. Students who have participated in VCU's study abroad programs will be on hand throughout the day to share stories, pictures, and inside information about their personal experiences abroad. Note that there also is a special panel devoted to this topic, scheduled for Friday, November 21 1:00-1:50 PM in Capital Ballroom B.

F 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Video Viewing in Capital Ballroom A
Stop by any time to see images of religions and religious life around the world.

F 9:00-9:50 AM: Capital Ballroom B
Religion and Economic Justice
Chair: Dr. Mark Wood - Religious Studies, School of World Studies
Shannon Hamlin: "Child Labor, Social Justice, and Liberation Theology"
Megan McManus: "Jubilee and Social Justice"
Dan Hicks: "Martin Luther King, Jr. on Consumerism and Economic Justice"
Jennifer Berryhill: "Criminal Justice and Non-Violence"

F 9:00-9:50 AM: Capital Ballroom C
Problems and Possibilities Concerning Global Food Security
Chair: Dr. Helen Ruth Aspaas - Urban Studies and Geography, School of Government and Public Affairs
Recognizing the widespread problem of hunger, Service Learning group proposes one solution that would alleviate some of the world hunger: walk-a-thons and other local fundraiser events whose funds would go towards world hunger. Participants include Tami Carsillo, Beverly Mabanglo, Shane Jenkins, Subodh Samudre, Tarig Alkhazin, Lena Kyung, and Rachel Carter.

F 10:00-10:50 AM: Capital Ballroom B
Latin American Economies
Chair: Dr. Mar Martinez-Gongora - Spanish, School of World Studies
The presentation is a survey of the current economic situation of different countries in Latin America by members of Dr. Martinez-Gongora's Spanish 414 class.

F 10:00-10:50 Capital Ballroom C
Role of the Press in Contemporary France
Chair: Dr. Patricia Cummins - French, School of World Studies
This session will be conducted in French, led by students in the French 421: Contemporary French Civilization class.
*Note: conducted in French

F 11:00-11:50 AM: Capital Ballroom B
Theory and Praxis of International Feminisms
Chair: Dr. Daniel Perdue - Religious Studies, School of World Studies
Hollie S. Mann: "The Integration of Multiculturalism and Feminism"
Kelly Showker: "The 'Other' Feminism: A Look at French Postmodern Feminism"
Katherine Link: "Theory and Praxis of African Feminisms: The Mother's Union in Uganda"

F 11 AM-12:30 PM: Capital Ballroom C
Gacaca: Living Together again in Rwanda
Chair: Dr. Angelina Overvold - French, School of World Studies
This panel will explore the process of healing in Rwanda after the 1994 genocide that took place there, when over 800,000 Tutsis were killed at the hands of Hutus. Specifically, this panel will address the struggle Rwandan citizens continue to face in trying to find a balance between the rebuilding of a nation and the desire to see justice done. There will be a showing of the documentary film "Gacaca: Living Together again in Rwanda? during the session. Students contributing to the discussion include Hana Abed, Anna Goroncy, Dagny Patton, Nisha Warrier, Catherine Evan, and Jenna Kowalke.

F 12:00-12:50 PM: Capital Ballroom A
Women In Russia
Chair: Dr. Daniel Perdue - Religious Studies, School of World Studies
Michelle Amirkhanian: "Reformist and Revolutionary Currents in the Nineteenth Century"
Brian J. Stone: "Alexandra Kollontai and the New Bolshevik Woman of the 1920s"
Irina Manelis: "Women's Lives in the Soviet Period: 1930s-1991"
Laura Hagy: "Women's Political Participation 1980s-present"
Jessica Bell: "Women's Rights in Today's Russia: The Problem of Domestic Violence"

F 12:00-12:50 PM: Capital Ballroom B
Spirituality and Social Change
Chair: Dr. Mark Wood - Religious Studies, School of World Studies
Jack Hirsch: "Spirituality and Social Change"
Majorie Bowers: "The Role of Christians in Social Change"
Toni Jackson: "Personal Transformation and Social Change"

F 1:00-1:50 PM: Capital Ballroom A
Images of and Opportunities in Peru
Join professors from VCU's School of the Arts for video and slide presentations of Peru and information about study abroad possibilities for students to live and learn in Peru. Participants include Scott Mills - Photography and Film Department, Javier Tapia - Painting and Printmaking, and Lester Van Winkle - Sculpture Department

F 1:00-1:50 PM Capital Ballroom B
Experiences in Study Abroad and International Exchange
Students with experience in studying abroad will talk about the challenges faced and the benefits gained from doing so. The session addresses the experience from both the perspectives of international students who are here on the VCU campus and VCU students who have lived and studied in other countries. Conversation will focus on global perspectives: differences in educational systems, culture, social mores and society. The session will be directed by Jennifer Ludovici, Director of VCU Education Abroad.

F 1:00-1:50 Capital Ballroom C
Literary Perspectives on Haiti, Algeria, and the Congo
Chair: Dr. Angelina Overvold - French, School of World Studies
Using pertinent literature from Haitian, Algerian, and Congolese authors as a starting point, participants will explore various aspects that affect the post-colonial Francophone world. Each group or individual will focus on an issue concerning Haiti, Algeria, or the Congo. Topics will cover the conflicts associated with colonization, the domestic and international politics and transitional aspects of colonialism and post-colonial conditions, as well as gender and humanitarian issues. Participating students include Jeannie Addison, Nevine Ezzat, Graham DeZarn, Leticia Isambo, Sueshan Malkasian, Puja Muchkurjee, Rachel Samuels, Aaron Talbott, and Matt Tillman

F 2:00-2:50 PM Capital Ballroom A
City of Joy, More than Medicine
Chair: Dr. Deeptankar Demazunder - Executive Director, City of Joy Project
Diana C. Ocampo: "Arm Circumference and Prediction of Body Composition in Children of Kolkata, India"
Supreet Pannu: "A Personal Journey of Medical Education"
Linh M. Le: "Adaptation to a Communist State in a Third World Country"
Pavitra Kotini: "Medical Relief in India: 'The Hidden Beauty'"
Poulami Mitra: "Rabindranath Tagore: First Nobel Laureate from the Indian Subcontinent"

F 2:00-2:50 PM Cap Ballroom B
A Personal Introduction to Five Countries
Chair: Ms. Tanja Zlatkovic - News Co-editor, The Commonwealth Times
Tanja Zlatkovic: "The Relative Success of Peacekeeping Missions in Bosnia"
Muna Massaquoi: "Reintegrating Former Child Soldiers in Sierra Leone"
Bruno Welsh: "The Increasing Brutality of the Police Force in Brazil"
Maria Luisa Rosal: "Guatemala: The Politics of Election"
Sophie Lochilova: "Kazakhstan: A Brief Introduction to a Diverse Country"

F 2:00-2:50 PM Cap Ballroom C
English Language Program Conversation
Meet and learn from members of VCU's English Language Program,
forty-five students representing many different countries. ELP Students will report on their inter-class project (i.e. co-class) with students from Dr. Christina Turner's Anthropology course. The discussion will be moderated by instructors N. McVeigh, L. Hildebrandt, D. Crane, and B. Russell.

*This event is free and open to the public

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.