Honors-CLA List-Serv, Monday, 24 March 2008

 

The Road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow, if I can,

Pursuing it with eager feet,

Until it joins some larger way

Where many paths and errands meet.

And whither then? I cannot say.

 

J.R.R. Tolkien, Walking Song

Bilbo's version from The Fellowship of the Ring

 

Welcome back! We hope everyone had a good break, and is ready for spring semester, part two. The next Honors email will be sent on Friday, April 4; the deadline for items to include is noon Thursday, April 3.

 

In this edition:

 

Honors news

 * HSA meeting on Wednesday

 * Two honors experiential events this week

 * Registration queue will be online by Thursday

College news

 * Open houses in American Indian Studies and Chicano Studies April 1 & 3

 * Tuesday: info session on BSE senior project

 * Wednesday: info session on grad school in Geography

 * Wednesday & Thursday: Sexy activity fair in Rarig

 * Friday: info session on new Collaborative Arts major

 * Reminder: April 4 is deadline for proposals for the 2008-9 Xperimental Theatre season

 * GWSS writing awards; deadline April 18

University news

 * Writing workshop Tuesday

 * Grad fest is Wednesday and Thursday

 * Appointments now available at SMART Learning Commons

 * Info session Thurs., April 3: Women of color leading for change

Hot courses

 * Philosophy Camp info session Wednesday

Scholarships

 * Fulbright grants information sessions next week

Learning abroad

 * Have you been to a First Step meeting yet?

Graduate/Professional programs

 * Online workshop: Planning for medical school (free)

 * The road to med school: events this week

 * Outsmart the LSAT: free program Thursday

 * Wednesday, April 2: Psychology and law panel

Internships/Jobs

 * Tuesday: Minnesota Reading Corp info sessions

 * Next Monday: Non-profit career fair and working for change conference

 * Neighborhood Involvement Program: intern/volunteer opportunity

Special opportunities

 * Reminder: Open call for photo/digital video work; deadline March 31

Student organizations

 * Propose a Culture Corps project for next year

Lively links

 * A few last words from Arthur C. Clarke

Events

 * Upcoming events at the Institute for Advanced Study

 * Tuesday: professors/writers John Hart and Susy Svatek Ziegler at U bookstore & more events

 * Brain imaging lecture series begins today

 * Tuesday: World Water Day event

 * Tuesday: It's Tolkien reading day

 * Wednesday: Suzan-Lori Parks in person

 * Thursday: Open house at Center for Medieval Studies

 * Thursday: Women's History Month lecture with Daisy Hernandez

 * Thursday: "Theater of Security" at the Weisman

 * Friday: Culture Corps event--lecture on the world-wide technology revolution

 * Friday: Culture Corp movie

 * Friday: Sweet Land--From Fiction to Film

 * BECAUSE conference on campus Friday-Sunday

 * Saturday: video screenings by area youth at Weisman

 * Sunday: Exploring "Paradise Lost" at the Bell Museum

 * Islam awareness week begins next Monday

 * Next Monday: lecture on "Robots: a new type of companion"

 * Transgender rights town meeting next Monday

 * Tuesday, April 1: Mental health speaker

 * Tuesday, April 1: Framing Suzan-Lori Parks final event

 * Wednesday, April 2: talk on gay sounds/gay speech

 * Wednesday, April 2: colloquium on moving gay bodies

 * Thursday-Sunday, April 3-6: BFA sophomores present Romeo and Juliet and Othello

 * Friday, April 4: First Friday at Andersen Library--Poetry in the Collections

 * Friday, April 4: Civic Leadership: Building a Vibrant Democracy (at Inver Hills Community College)

 

Honors news

HONORS STUDENT ASSOCIATION MEETING WEDNES*DAY

HSA meeting this Wednesday 5:30 pm, Coffman Memorial Union 325. We will discuss an honors intercollegiate ultimate frisbee (or flag football) tournament. Contact linfo002@umn.edu to get involved if you cannot make the meeting!

 

TWO HONORS EXPERIENTIAL EVENTS THIS WEEK

Wednesday, 3:30 pm, 120B/C Elmer Andersen Library: "Postwar Diaspora and the Physics of Blackness," a conversation with Michelle Wright.

Thursday, 7 pm, Weisman Art Museum, "The Theater of Security."

 

REGISTRATION QUEUE WILL BE ONLINE BY THURSDAY

The fall 2008 registration queue will be posted online no later than Thursday, March 27. Remember that changes are still being made to the fall semester class schedule, and check the courses in which you're interested in shortly before your queue time.

 

College news

OPEN HOUSES IN AMERICAN INDIAN STUDIES & CHICANO STUDIES APRIL 1 & 3

During the first week in April, these two departments will have gatherings for students, staff, and faculty. The Department of American Indian Studies will be holding the Spring 2008 Open House on  Tuesday, April 1 from noon to 1:30 in 105 Scott Hall.  Anyone who would like to learn more about the majors/minor in American Indian Studies, internships, other resources, and to meet students, staff, and faculty is welcome.  Join us for good company and good food (pizza and soda will be provided). 
On Thursday, April 3, from noon to 1:00, the Department of Chicano Studies will be having their student, staff, and faculty gathering in Room 105 Scott Hall. Students and staff can meet the interim chair of the department, staff, students, and faculty as well as learn about the Minnesota Latino Network in Higher Education, La Raza, Casa Sol, internships, the major and minor, and much more!  Students who are curious about or interested in Chicano Studies are welcome. Food and drink will be provided!

 

TUESDAY: INFO SESSION ON SENIOR PROJECT IN BSE

Tuesday, 12:40-1:30 pm, 150 Anderson. Come learn what you need to do to plan for your senior project in the Biology, Society, and Environment (BSE) major.


WEDNESDAY: INFO SESSION ON GRAD SCHOOL IN GEOGRAPHY

Wednesday, 12:30-1:30 pm, 430 Blegen. Free lunch! Come to a panel session with geography graduate students to learn about what grad school in geography is all about.

 

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY: SEXY ACTIVITY FAIR IN RARIG

Wednesday and Thursday, 10 am-3 pm, Rarig Center lower level ("the pit"). An activities fair focused on arts organizations on and off campus. Great for students to learn about involvement in the Theatre Arts Department and the Twin Cities Arts Communities. Something for everyone! Find information about: Arts Quarter Collective, Bryant Lake Bowl, Studying Abroad, Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, The Sounding Board, and much more. Free food too.


FRIDAY: INFO SESSION ON NEW COLLABORATIVE ARTS PROGRAM

Friday, 12:30 pm, E110 Regis. “What are Collaborative Arts?” Please join the faculty of the new CLA Interdisciplinary Program in Collaborative Arts (IPCA) for a discussion about the program. Learn about the exciting courses to be offered (under COLA), see some of the faculty “in action” & discuss their specialty, enjoy a pizza lunch (free…well, you have to listen to us…). Who should come? Anyone who is interested in understanding collaboration—from your daily routine to your future goals. Please RSVP to ipca@umn.edu by noon on Wednesday, so we know how much pizza to order). Bring yourself, bring your friends, bring your parents, bring your curiosity, and bring your questions!

 

REMINDER: CALLING ALL PROPOSALS FOR THE 2008/2009 XPERIMENTAL SEASON
You have until Friday, April 4th to put together your proposal for a show in next year's Xperimental Theatre four-show season. Your proposed show MUST fill one of the following slots:
October 23-26; December 4-7; March 12-15; April 23-26. For a copy of the call for proposals and the application, email Kit at gordo003@umn.edu by Tuesday, March 25.

 

GENDER, WOMEN AND SEXUALITY WRITING AWARDS; DEADLINE APRIL 18

Cash prizes worth hundreds of dollars available! Helen Hawthorne Hartung Award for best feminist writing by an undergraduate student and Valata Dakota Fletcher Award for best feminist writing by returning woman undergraduate student. Entrants in writing contests must have enrolled in at least one undergraduate GWSS course at the University of Minnesota in 2007 or 2008. For the Fletcher award, entrant must be a woman entering or returning to the University after being away from school 10 years or more. Awards to up to 6 outstanding examples of feminist writing. Submit your best creative or academic writing for an award. Creative fiction, essay, or poetry: 5-15 pages. Scholarly or research paper: up to 30 pages. Submit two typed, double-spaced copies of entry, one copy with name, address, and phone number typed at top of first page. No name or other identification should appear on the other copy, which will be used in judging. One submission per entrant. Deadline and notification: Entries due in the GWSS Main Office, 425 Ford Hall, by 4:30 pm, Friday, April 18. Winners will be notified no later than Friday, May 2. Prizes will be awarded at the end of Spring Semester, during the GWSS Recognition Event. For more information, please contact Rebecca Aylesworth, GWSS Undergraduate Advising at 612.624.6809 or gwssadv@umn.edu.

University news

TUESDAY: WRITING WORKSHOP--FINDING RELIABLE SOURCES

Tuesday, 2-3:30 pm, Magrath Library Room 81 (Computer Lab). This workshop will focus on writing that requires cited sources. How do you determine when you must cite a source of information? We will discuss proper citation formats (such as MLA and APA). We will also cover writing abstracts and creating bibliographies. Students will have the opportunity to “workshop” an individual writing assignment as well. Please bring a writing assignment to the workshop! Designed for non-native speakers, but all students are welcome.

 

GRAD FEST IS WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY

If you're graduating soon, check out Grad Fest in the Coffman Great Hall, Wednesday, 10 am-6 pm and Thursday 10 am-4 pm. You can pick up a cap and gown, do a Financial Aid exit interview, and much more. For more information, see www.bookstore.umn.edu/grad/gradfest.html.

 

APPOINTMENTS NOW AVAILABLE AT SMART LEARNING COMMONS

Starting March 25th (after spring break), the Peer Learning Consultants at the SMART Learning Commons will accept appointments in addition to our walk-in hours. SMART Commons Learning Consultants offer one-on-one assistance for help in gateway courses and skills such as mathematics, sciences, statistics, economics, writing, and library research. If you wish to set up an appointment, send an e-mail to smartlc@umn.edu with the following information: 
    1. Your name
    2. The subject and/or course you seek assistance with
    3. The time-range(s) you are available to meet with a SMART consultant
        WITHIN THE NEXT 72 HOURS, Monday-Friday
    4.
Your preferred SMART location (Magrath Library or Wilson Library)
We will check e-mails at 9 am every morning (M-F) and match you with a consultant in your subject, and then e-mail you with an appointment time, place, and the name of the consultant with whom you will work. Our goal is to make your appointment fall within 72 hours from the day the e-mail was checked, excluding weekends and University holidays. For example, you send an e-mail at 8 pm Tuesday. It will be read 9 am on Wednesday. Your appointment will be Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday during the time you said that you were available. Please be sure to check your e-mail accordingly, since your appointment may be scheduled for the same day we read your message. If you need to see a SMART consultant sooner, feel free to walk-in to our locations during normal hours. For more information about the SMART Commons, including walk-in hours as well as a list of subjects we support and profiles of our consultants, visit http://smart.umn.edu/.

 

THURSDAY, APRIL 3: INFO SESSION ON WOMEN OF COLOR LEADING FOR CHANGE

Thursday, April 3, noon, 140 Nolte: What opportunities exist for leadership development for women of color students on campus? What do women of color students want and need to succeed? This session will explore current initiatives as well as introduce a 08-09 course offered by the Office for University Women. Refreshments served.


Hot courses

WEDNESDAY: PHILOSOPHY CAMP INFO SESSION

Wednesday,  3:30-4:30 pm, Career and Community Learning Center, 345 Fraser Hall. Learn how you can participate in this unique May-term (May 27-June 20, 2008) residential course, Philosophy 4326, Lives Worth Living. Program participants include a small community of at most 20 students and 4 instructors, who all live together in a retreat center on the prairie in southwest Minnesota. Students interested in the course are invited to attend this information session in order to meet the instructors and talk with former students about their experiences. Earn 6 upper division credits while exploring topics such as vocation, community, education, and sustainability. We'll explore how we have been shaped by our pasts and how we will shape our futures as individuals, community members, and citizens.  We create the syllabus democratically based on our interests. We share stories. We share meals together. We learn from each other. Course is open to freshmen through seniors in any major; graduate credit available. Course meets requirements for arts and humanities core and citizenship and public ethics theme. Need-based diversity scholarships of $500-$1000 will be available for at least 6 students. Permission number given upon completed application is required to register (April 1st deadline). Visit http://www.philosophycamp.org for information on this course including application process, cost, and financial aid info.  Interested students should contact the Philosophy Camp Student Advisor in the Career and Community Learning Center as soon as possible (pcamp@class.cla.umn.edu, 612.626.2044).


Scholarships

FULBRIGHT GRANTS 2009-10: INFORMATION SESSIONS NEXT WEEK

Tuesday April 1, 3:30-4:30, 110 Heller Hall and Thursday April 3, 3:30-4:30, 315 Nicholson Hall. Learn about the Fulbright Grants, which provide generous support for American citizens to teach, study, conduct research, or engage in creative work abroad for a year in one of approximately 100 foreign countries. At least 1000 Fulbright grants are awarded annually. All fields of study are eligible. Must have undergraduate degree in hand by the beginning of the award period. Undergraduates with strong academic records who will graduate May 2009 or earlier, and who are interested in winning a Fulbright Grant to spend the 2009-10 year abroad, are especially encouraged to attend an info session. Applications are submitted at the beginning of Fall semester for a campus review and interview process. Students interested in a Fulbright Grant for 2009-10 should plan to apply in early September 2008. This informational session will cover the Fulbright Teaching Assistant grants, which enable recent college graduates to assist in English language classrooms abroad, as well as the better-known Fulbright Full Grants for study, research, or creative work. Speakers include campus Fulbright advisors Alison Skoberg and Sally Lieberman, and recent Fulbright Fellow Graham Lampa. Further information about this and other scholarship opportunities for outstanding undergraduates is available at http://www.honors.umn.edu/scholarships/.

 

Learning abroad

HAVE YOU BEEN TO A FIRST STEP MEETING YET?

Thinking about study abroad? If you haven't yet attended a First Step meeting at the Learning Abroad Center, do so as soon as possible. The weekly schedule is on their website at http://www.umabroad.umn.edu/academic/FirstStepSchedule.html.

 

Graduate/Professional programs

ONLINE WORKSHOP: PLANNING FOR MEDICAL SCHOOL (FREE!)

The Health Careers Center is pleased to announce a new online workshop “Planning for Medical School”, now being offered to UMTC students. Students can use this online workshop in different ways, depending on where they are in the process of applying to medical school: whether they are at the initial stages of exploration, in the process of completing prerequisites, or planning to apply to medical school in the next year. This workshop is offered in WebVista and can be completed by students individually and at their own pace. Students can register at any time. To register, visit http://www.healthcareers.umn.edu and click on "Workshops and Info Sessions" in the left hand navigation bar.

 

THE ROAD TO MED SCHOOL: EVENTS THIS WEEK

Getting into medical school can be a daunting process! Let Kaplan demystify it for you. During this week-long series, you'll have the opportunity to try out our MCAT class for free, see how the MCAT and the other parts of your application fit into the admissions process as a whole, learn how to write a personal statement that grabs the attention of admissions officers, and put everything you learned about the MCAT to the test!

MCAT Sample Class: Monday, March 24 from 6–7:30 at the U of MN

Med School Admissions and MCAT Strategy Seminar: Tuesday, March 25 from 6–7:30 at the U of MN

Personal Statement Workshop: Thursday, March 27 from 6–7:30 at the U of MN

MCAT Practice Test: Saturday, March 29 from 1:30–4:30 at Kaplan

Refreshments will be provided. Seats are limited, so RSVP today at www.kaptest.com/mcat!

 

OUTSMART THE LSAT: FREE PROGRAM THURS*DAY

You are invited to attend Outsmart the LSAT http://www.cce.umn.edu/LSAT, a no cost luncheon sponsored by the U of M College of Continuing Education. The event will be held Thursday, 11:30 am- 1 pm in the President's Room, Coffman Union. Join Scott Baker, J.D. for a presentation focusing on LSAT test-taking tips, including a demonstration of the common argument structures in the logical reasoning section of the LSAT exam. Free pizza will be served, and all participants will be entered in a drawing to win an LSAT Test Prep course (a $580 value! Must be present to win). Don't miss your chance to Outsmart the LSAT! Register at www.cce.umn.edu/LSAT or call 612.624.4000 for this free lunch program today.

 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2: PSYCHOLOGY & LAW PANEL

Wednesday, April 2, Noon-1 pm, N639 Elliott Hall. Interested in the professional possibilities at the intersection of Psychology & Law? Wondering what options are possible for you once you graduate, such as graduate school, law school or working first? Don't miss this very exciting event! Mark your calendar now and RSVP to hear a number of accomplished alumni speak about their work at the intersection of Psychology and legal environments. Panelists will include: 1) A psychology B.A. alum who is now an attorney. He believes we need more lawyers with a psychology background! 2) A psychology M.A. who works with families experiencing divorce and those with children who have experienced abuse; she's also a consultant and provides expert witness services in child abuse cases. 3) A psychology B.A. alum who is now a Tax Court Judge and previously served as the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Corrections. 4) A psychology B.A. alum who is now a clinical psychologist with a private firm that provides assessments of juveniles within local county court systems. These alumni will come prepared with suggestions for recent and soon-to-be graduates for starting careers in any of these areas. RSVP now! www.psych.umn.edu/undergrad/upcomingevents.htm


Internships/Jobs

TUESDAY: MINNESOTA READING CORPS INFO SESSION

Tuesday, noon-12:30 or 12:30-1 pm, 202 Johnston. Make a difference in children’s futures, build great career skills, and get paid while doing it! Are you skilled at motivating people to help others? Are you the person called upon to get things done? Are obstacles merely challenges in disguise? Do you think the world would be a better place if more children knew the thrill of reading a good book and libraries were more crowded than shopping malls? If the answer is ‘yes,’ then the Minnesota Reading Corps is a great opportunity to take advantage of! Minnesota Reading Corps is seeking highly motivated women and men to commit to one year of national service to help young children improve their literacy skills. Minnesota Reading Corps is an AmeriCorps program that places members around the state of Minnesota. Members work daily in either pre-kindergarten setting or a K-3 setting to provide intentional, individualized literacy instruction to children. Members receive AmeriCorps benefits, which include a stipend, an education award, and student loan forbearance. If you are interested, please attend one of two information sessions that The Minnesota Reading Corps noted above. See a description in GoldPASS-in the “Career Events” section--and RSVP there, or just show up at one of the scheduled timeslots. 

 

NEXT MONDAY: NON-PROFIT CAREER FAIR AND WORKING FOR CHANGE CONFERENCE

Monday, March 31, 10 am-4 pm, Coffman Memorial Union Great Hall. Come to this event to explore jobs and career paths in nonprofits and social change organizations. This event is both a career fair and a career exploration conference. This event may be particularly interesting to graduate students, graduating seniors, other undergraduates considering careers in the non-profit sector, and other job-seekers.  Spend the whole day or just stop by for the event(s) that interest you!
From noon to 4 pm is the "Idealist.org Nonprofit Career Fair." During that time, more than 80 organizations will have tables and staff reps inside Coffman's Great Hall. Stop by to talk to them and learn about the jobs and internships they have available. Bring your resumes! Between 10 am and 4 pm, the "Working for Change Conference" portion of the event is ongoing. During that time there will be free, 60-minute workshops. Feel free to attend just one workshop or all of them—pick any that interest you. These workshops focus on careers in nonprofits and social justice work.  View the workshop schedule here: http://www.cclc.umn.edu/Events/Idealistorgworkshops.html.  Stop by the Great Hall for workshop locations. This event is FREE and open to the public, but please register at http://www.idealist.org/careerfairs.

 

NEIGHBORHOOD INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM: INTERN/VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

The Neighborhood Involvement Program will soon be start April training for on-call volunteers and undergraduate interns. We provide an excellent state approved 40 hour training, a variety of experiences providing crisis and supportive telephone and walk-in counseling to survivors of sexual violence, secondary victims and the general public, and opportunities for growth with supervision. This is an unpaid placement. The intern commitment is for 8-12 hours a week for 6 months for spring/summer placement or 8-12 hours a week for 7 months for fall/winter placement. Social Work interns make a commitment averaging 16 hours a week for at least 8 months. The on call commitment is to take at least 2 shifts per month overnight or on weekends. Interested? The first step is to go to our web site at Neighborhood Involvement Program (www.neighborhoodinvolve.org/rsac) to the "RSAC" section and then to the "volunteer opportunities". There you will find a detailed description of our program and our on-line application. Group and individual interviews will begin in March with the training to follow in April. The training will be every Tuesday and Thursday from 6-9 and Saturday April 12 and 26 from 9-4 pm.


Special opportunities

REMINDER: OPEN CALL FOR PHOTO/DIGITAL VIDEO WORK; DEADLINE: MARCH 31

"why you belong: self in the 21st century": Open call for photographic and digital video (animation and other   forms of screen based works included) work from students and faculty at the University of Minnesota and Beijing Film AcademyDeadline March 31. For details, see:
http://www.chambersminneapolis.com/whyyoubelong/. Submissions will be chosen by juror Jennifer Phelps, Director of Art, Chambers Luxury Art Hotel and Gallery. Exhibition will open at Chambers Burnet Art Gallery on May 2, 2008.


Student organizations

PROPOSE A CULTURE CORPS PROJECT FOR FALL 2008

Are you interested in doing a Culture Corps Project?  If so, please see the information and application at this website: http://www.isss.umn.edu/programs/culturecorps/default.html. Please contact Thorunn Bjarnadottir, Culture Corps Coordinator, at cultureC@umn.edu or call at her at 612.626.4799 for more information. The application deadline is noon, Thursday, April 17.

 

Lively links

A FEW LAST WORDS FROM ARTHUR C. CLARKE

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=4db_1205893786&p=1

 

Events

UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY

For details on any of these events, see http://www.ias.umn.edu/calendar.php.

Tuesday, 3:30 pm, 125 Nolte: The Kurds between the Vision and Reality.

Tuesday, 6:30 pm, 275 Nicholson: Chinese film series, Love Eterne

Wednesday, 4 pm, 125 Nolte: "The Ethics of Representation": a workshop with Leigh Fondakowski and Sara Evans.

Thursday, noon, 125 Nolte: "Poetry is Closest to Thought: Hannah Arendt's Literature."

Thursday, noon, 400 Ford, "AIDS Bombs: HIV, Race, and Compliance in Minnesota."

Thursday, 4 pm, 125 Nolte: "Eighteenth-century Jewish Voices on the State and in the Home"-- a talk with Caryl Clark and Barbara Hahn.

Friday, 11:30 am, 280 Ferguson: "Theory/Musicology/Ethnomusicology"--lunch seminar with Caryl Clark.

Friday, 3:30 pm, 155 Nicholson: Sky, Wind, Fire, Earth (Kya Ka Ra Ba A), film screening with the director, Naomi Kawase.

Tuesday, April 1, 6:30 pm, 275 Nicholson: Chinese film series--A Touch of Zen.

Tuesday, April 2, 3 pm, 125 Nolte: "Gay sounds and models of Gay speech."

Thursday, April 3, 4 pm, 125 Nolte: "Sprawl and its enemies," a presentation by Robert Bruegmann.

Friday, April 4, 4:15 pm, 100 Barker: "Moving Queer Bodies," (with honors peer advisor Brent Radeke).

 

TUESDAY: PROFESSORS/WRITERS JOHN HART & SUSY SVATEK ZIEGLER & UPCOMING EVENTS

Tuesday, 2 pm, Coffman Memorial Union Bookstore. University of Minnesota geography professors John Fraser Hart and Susy Svatek Ziegler discuss their new book Landscapes of Minnesota: A  Geography.

Other upcoming bookstore events:

·  Justine Lee: It's a Dog's Life, but It's Your Carpet, April 1, 4 pm 

·  Charles Baxter: The Soul Thief, April 2, 4 pm

·  M.E. Smith: Trials: The Risk/Benefit Ratio, April 3, 4 pm

·  Editors and contributors: From the Other World: Poems in Memory of James Wright, April 4, 4 pm

 

TUESDAY: BRAIN IMAGING LECTURE SERIES BEGINS

Tuesday, 4 pm, Shevlin Hall: Brian Knutson, Assistant Professor in Psychology and Neuroscience at Stanford University, will discuss modern imaging studies of the anticipatory value system in the brain and how it influences decision making.

 

TUESDAY: WORLD WATER DAY EVENT

On Tuesday March 25 from 6-8 pm (doors open at 5:30 pm) in the President's Room in Coffman (third floor), Sierra Club's Global Population and Environment Program will host a World Water Day event, in partnership with the Millennium Campaign, International Health Programs, Think Outside the Bottle, MPIRG and Ecowatch. This public forum will address issues of water scarcity and global resource inequities in the context of the broader Millennium Development Goals. Join us as we explore obstacles towards the achievement of these goals by 2015, and focus specifically on Chetumal, Mexico as a case study. Learn how grassroots action at home and abroad play a critical role in solving water resources inequities and sustainable development challenges. Refreshments will be served. 

 

TUESDAY: IT'S TOLKIEN READING DAY

March 25 is Tolkien Reading Day! Get ready to sit down with friends and family to celebrate the 5th Annual Tolkien Reading Day sponsored by The Tolkien Society (the date is the anniversary of the downfall of Sauron). Each year, Tolkien Reading Day is a chance for grownups and children to read together and share their thoughts about stories by Tolkien that they have read and to discover new ones. More info: http://www..tolkiensociety.com/ed/tolkienreadingday.html.

 

WEDNESDAY: SUZAN-LORI PARKS IN PERSON

Wednesday, 7:30 pm, Ted Mann Concert Hall, Suzan-Lori Parks, presented by the Esther Freier Endowment. The Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright (and student of James Baldwin) delivers commentary on her work and career. Parks is author of Topdog/Underdog, Venus, and 365 Days/365 Plays, author of the novel Getting Mother's Body, and screenwriter of Spike Lee's Girl 6 and the ABC production of Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. Free and open to the public, no tickets necessary.

THURSDAY: OPEN HOUSE AT CENTER FOR MEDIEVAL STUDIES

Thursday, 3-6 pm,  Open House: Center for Medieval Studies (Third floor of Nolte Hall, Rooms 302 and 303). Visit our office and peruse our library holdings during our open house. Refreshments will be served!


THURSDAY: WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH LECTURE WITH DAISY HERNANDEZ

Thursday, 7 pm, 125 Willey. RSVP: women@umn.edu or 612.625.9837. Reception and book signing following the lecture. Many stereotypes about feminists exist: they hate men, they're lesbians, they run for president of the United States. But what is feminism really about? Can it have anything to do with your own life? Come listen to a discussion and reading by writer and editor Daisy Hernández on her own experiences with feminism, on how gender and race have shaped her identity as a feminist and what it means to connect feminism to the communities we call home. Fierce, fresh and smart, Daisy Hernández focuses on race, gender, sexuality, and other issues affecting young women of color. A queer Cubana-Colombiana Americana, she is a personal essayist and co-editor of Colonize This! Young Women of Color on Today’s Feminism (Seal Press). She is the managing editor of ColorLines, the national news magazine on race and politics, and has written for a range of publications including the National Catholic Reporter and Bitch magazine. She’s reported for the metro desk at the New York Times and written on feminism and Latina life for Ms. magazine.

 

THURSDAY: THEATER OF SECURITY AT THE WEISMAN

Thursday, 7 pm program followed by reception. In this program, security expert Bruce Schneier helps separate “security theater,” or a fictive performance of safety and prevention, from its actual and effective workings. Schneier is one of the foremost experts on issues and tactics of security, from preventing computer hacking to terrorist attacks. This program is cosponsored by the University of Minnesota’s Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs Alumni Association.

 

CULTURE CORPS EVENT FRIDAY: LECTURE ON THE WORLD-WIDE TECHNOLOGY REVOLUTION

Friday, noon-1:30 pm, Minnesota Commons, St. Paul Student Center. "Moore's Law: The Engine behind the Modern Technology Revolution." The historical growth of integrated circuit (IC) computing power has fueled the world-wide technology revolution and has changed the way we create, process, communicate, and store information in the modern digital society. Professor Chris Hyung-il Kim will offer an overview of "Moore's Law," the engine behind the phenomenal growth in IC performance will be presented. Free Lunch will be served. RSVP to parkx347@umn.edu.

 

FRIDAY: CULTURE CORPS INTERNATIONAL MOVIE SERIES

Friday, 2 pm, 430 Blegen Hall. Please join us in viewing the first film in this series, Welcome to
Dongmakgol.  During the Korean War, soldiers from both sides of the Korean divide live among villagers who know nothing of the war.  Afterwards, we will have a discussion on the film. Free and open to the public with free refreshments (Kimbap, a Korean style sushi roll, and Korean snacks).

 

FRIDAY: SWEET LAND--FROM FICTION TO FILM

Friday, 7 pm, Pohlad Room, Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall. In 1989, author Will Weaver received the Minnesota Book Award for Best Fiction for A Gravestone Made of Wheat & Other Stories. Sixteen years later screenwriter and director Ali Selim adapted the title short story from this collection to create the critically acclaimed movie, Sweet Land. Sweet Land received numerous awards including Best Narrative Feature Film at the Hamptons International Film Festival and the Film Independent's Spirit Award for Best First Feature, and it was named one of the Ten Best Films of 2006 by over a dozen critics. Shot on location in Southern Minnesota, Sweet Land is the story of immigrant America, “a visually indelible movie… of extraordinary tenderness (Entertainment Weekly).” In this unique installment of Talk of the Stacks, together Selim and Weaver will discuss fiction writing, film making, and the process of adapting a short story to a feature-length movie.

 

BECAUSE CONFERENCE FRIDAY-SUNDAY

Friday, March 28-Sunday, March 30, Coffman Memorial Union. The BECAUSE Conference is the premier weekend for bisexuals, queers, questioning, and all others who are neither one thing nor the other. BECAUSE attracts people from throughout the Midwest and beyond to attend various educational workshops, get active, and generally enjoy the community experience. For more information, see http://www.because08.org/.

 

SATURDAY: VIDEO SCREENINGS BY AREA YOUTH AT THE WEISMAN

Saturday, 1:30-3:30 pm, Weisman Art Museum: Represent! Civic videos by area youth. Teen video artists and civic activists from Hope Community, Inc. in Minneapolis and community based programs in West Saint Paul come together to share their concerns, questions and vision for the future. Screenings followed by discussion and refreshments. Co-sponsored by the Center for Democracy and Citizenship at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.

 

SUNDAY: EXPLORING "PARADISE LOST" AT THE BELL MUSEUM

Sunday, 2–3 pm, Bell Museum. "Paradise Lost" is an exhibition of artistic and scientific observations
on climate change. Tour the show with artist and University of Minnesota professor Christine Baeumler, along with University of Minnesota professor emeritus of ecology Ed Cushing. Baeumler is a painter who
seeks to raise awareness about ecological issues; Cushing is an eminent ecologist and popular University instructor.

 

ISLAM AWARENESS WEEK BEGINS NEXT MONDAY

Islam Awareness Week: Lifestyles of the Young and the Muslim, March 31- April 4
Monday March 31, 11 am-2 pm: Airport Simulation, outside Coffman Memorial Union. Learn what its like to be singled out for your appearance or your name by playing a Muslim at the airport! Everything from the shake down to the interrogation, come experience a day in the life of a Mohammad or an Osama...(you won’t really be shaken down or interrogated, but you will be informed on the experience, with snacks on the side!)
Monday, March 31, 6:30-8 pm, 175 Willey, Lecture: The Concept of God in Islam, Sh. Khalid Yasin.
Tuesday April 1, noon-2 pm: “The Muslim American Identity.” A photography exhibit. Coffman Memorial Union, President’s Room 12 pm-2 pm “The American Muslim Identity" will consist of photos that depict the symbiotic relationship between what it means to be an American and a Muslim. Muslims in American represent a unique and diverse population and the photos in this exhibit will be reflective of the qualities of the Muslim population in America whether it means first generation immigrants or political leaders in the community.
Tuesday, April 1, 6:30-8 pm, 175 Willey, Panel discussion: The American Muslim Identity.
Wednesday April 2, 6:30-8 pm, 175 Willey, lecture: The Prophets of Islam, Imam Siraj Wahaj.
Thursday April 3, 11 am-2 pm, Great Hall, Coffman Memorial Union:  The Islamic Civilization exhibit/marbling workshop. Come learn more about the Islamic world’s contribution to society whether it is in anatomical studies, architecture or art, this exhibit will help everyone learn about the rich fabric that was built from preserved texts and art of the Islamic world. There will also be a marbling workshop and photography portion to this exhibit.

Thursday, April 3, 6:30-8 pm, 175 Willey, lecture: Science in Islam, Professor George Saleba, Columbia University. (Co-sponsored by the Honors Student Association). 
Friday April 4, 9 am-1:30 pmAnasheed performance, Hijabi for a day. Outside Coffman Memorial Union. Wearing hijab is a part of many Muslim women’s lives, and during this day, the Muslims will invite
non-Muslim women to wear the head scarf for a day. Along with hijabi for a day, there will also be a performance outside with a spoken word performance and traditional songs on stage.

Friday, April 4, 6:30-8 pm, 175 Willey, lecture: Women in Islam, Imani Jaafar-Mohammad.

 

NEXT MONDAY: LECTURE ON "ROBOTS: A NEW TYPE OF COMPANION"

Monday, March 31, 4 pm, Cowles Auditorium, Humphrey. RSVP: women@umn.edu or 612.625.9837. "Robots: A New Type of Companion," featuring Maria L. Gini, Professor and Associate Department Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. Gini is a nationally and internationally renowned faculty member and researcher on artificial intelligence and robotics. Named Distinguished Scientist by the Association for Computing Machinery in 2006, she is the author of hundreds of publications and enthusiastically provides robotic demonstrations for young girls and boys to encourage the next generation of scientists. Reception follows in the Hubert H. Humphrey Center Atrium.


TRANSGENDER RIGHTS TOWN MEETING MONDAY, MARCH 31

Monday, March 31, 7 pm, 25 Mondale Hall. Mara Keisling, Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, will speak on Transgender equality in America. Join Mara for the inside story of what really happened in the recent Congressional battle regarding ENDA, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Mara will share with us how United ENDA was able to create the one of the most amazing advocacy campaigns in LGBT history.

 

TUESDAY, APRIL 1: BRAIN IMAGING LECTURE SERIES

Tuesday, April 1, 4 pm, Shevlin Hall, Robert Zatorre, Professor in Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University, will demonstrate functional and structural findings on how musical and linguistic experience alter the brain.

 

TUESDAY, APRIL 1: MENTAL HEALTH SPEAKER

April 1, 7 pm, Great Hall, Coffman Union: "Behind Happy Faces." Ross Szabo, author and speaker, presents an engaging talk that has been called “poignant, funny and engaging” as he encourages college students to open a dialog about depression and suicide. Diagnosed bipolar at age 16, Ross has learned first hand about the intricacies of mental disorders. Together with Melanie Hall he has co-authored the book, Behind Happy Faces: Taking Charge of Your Mental Health - A Guide for Young Adults, described as a comforting resource. He says, “I am someone who took a leave of absence from college due to a depressive episode, then recovered and returned to earn a degree. I am a success story just like many others who seek help.” The event will include a book display and signing, other displays and refreshments.

 

TUESDAY, APRIL 1: FINAL SUZAN-LORI PARKS EVENT

Tuesday, April 1, 7:30 pm, Hubert H. Humphrey Center. "Suzan-Lori Parks in the Context of African American Theater." The Framing Suzan-Lori Parks series concludes with a discussion of Parks's place in the history of African American theater. Panelists include poet and playwright e. g. bailey, professor Pamela Fletcher, professor Josephine Lee, playwright, novelist, and professor Alexs Pate, and playwright and professor Dominic Taylor. Presented with the Department of Theatre, Frank Theatre, the Playwrights' Center, and McKnight Special Events. Free and open to the public, no tickets necessary.

 

THURSDAY-SUNDAY, APRIL 3-6: BFA SOPHOMORES PRESENT ROMEO & JULIET AND OTHELLO

The sophomore class of the BFA Acting program will present their productions of Romeo and Juliet and Othello, from April 3-6. Romeo and Juliet: April 3 and April 5 at 7:30; Othello, April 4 at 7:30, April 5 at 2 pm, April 6 at 7 pm. Both shows in the Arena Theatre in Rarig; free.

 

FRIDAY, APRIL 4: FIRST FRIDAY AT ANDERSEN LIBRARY--POETRY IN THE COLLECTIONS

Friday, April 4, noon, 120 Andersen Library. The University of Minnesota's Archives and Special Collections are rich with poetry in all of its forms. We'll share some of our favorites for this celebration of National Poetry Month. Feel free to bring your lunch; light refreshments will be served.

 

CIVIC LEADERSHIP: BUILDING A VIBRANT DEMOCRACY AT INVER HILLS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Friday, April 4, 10 am-3 pm. Civic Leadership: Building a Vibrant Democracy. Join Minnesota Campus Compact for a powerful set of discussions about new ways for engaging students and our campuses
and communities in the context of the 2008 election. Civic engagement leaders, including presidents, deans, students, faculty, civic engagement advocates and practitioners, will assemble to
ask: * What does it mean to build a vibrant democracy? * What improvement in our systems would insure that all can participate in our democracy? * What leadership and competencies will we develop on our campuses and in ourselves to support a truly vibrant democracy?
Keynote Speaker: Mark Ritchie, Secretary of State
Response: Former Governor Al Quie
Breakout Sessions:
- Big Ideas: What does it look like to  have a  civic vocation?
- Skill Building: How to have civil conversations about difficult issues
- Nuts and Bolts: Engaging young citizens
Event Details:
Inver Hills Community College, Theatre/Fine Arts Building, 2500 East 80th Street, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076. For more information and registration, see http://www.mncampuscompact.org/.