Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Upcoming Lecture by Yasser Elsheshtawy, Thursday 3/1



Thanks to a series of coincidences, I’m happy to announce that I’ve been able to arrange for Dr. Yasser Elsheshtawy to visit the University of Puget Sound and deliver a lecture. Yasser is one of the leading scholars concerned with urbanism, migration, and public space in the astonishingly diverse cities of the Arabian Peninsula. You can get a bit more information about Yasser’s work here  I hope that you’ll be able to attend his lecture (details below) on Thursday, March 1. Many of our students will be equally interested, and I urge you to figure out ways to encourage them to attend. In my experience, his lectures are aesthetically gorgeous, thematically impressive, and methodologically innovative. 

Transient Spaces: Home and Belonging in Dubai
Dr. Yasser Elsheshtawy
Thursday, March 1
Rasmussen Rotunda, Wheelock Center
4:30 - 6:00 PM

Some areas of his expertise that might be of interest:

Migrants and Migration: as you likely know, the Arab Gulf States host an unprecedented demographic concoction of citizens and migrants. His work deeply engages these communities in Dubai and other cities of the Arabian littoral, and is particularly attentive to these communities’ struggles to establish diasporic spaces in the built environment of the modern Gulf cities.

Urbanism, Architecture, and Urban Space: Gulf cities are truly at the frontiers of global modernity and architectural superlativeness. Yasser is the preeminent scholar in this realm. His grasp of these cities and their diverse inhabitants is pace-setting for the cosmopolitan cadre of scholars preoccupied with urbanism in Arabia. 

Art and Aesthetics — Yasser’s work is oftentimes visually stunning, and there’s an artistic thread in much of what he does. Moreover, he recently curated the Venice Biennale exhibit for the Emirates, and I can envision some campus interest in this aspect of his work. 

Methods — while Puget Sound doesn’t have a node of faculty devoted to urban studies, I think others on campus from a variety of different disciplines will be interested in some of the visual and spatial methods he oftentimes employs. His use of GIS, as well as some time-lapse studies of urban space, are impressive in my estimation, and I’m eager for some of my students to see this methodological creativity.

Arabia, the Middle East, and Asian Studies — we also have a paucity of colleagues and scholars intently focused on the Middle East on this campus. In that sense, Yasser’s lecture will help buoy students’ and colleagues’ interest and awareness of contemporary issues the region. I would also add that Arabia, via its longstanding role in the greater Indian Ocean World, really speaks to the western portion of the geography of Asian Studies. 


ANDREW GARDNER  |  UNIVERSITY OF PUGET SOUND
PROFESSOR OF ANTHROPOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY & ANTHROPOLOGY
T 253.879.3490  |  F 253.879.3556 

Semester in Development - Opportunity for Puget Sound Students

Deadline to Apply: March 15, 2018



Monday, February 19, 2018

Tuesday 2/20 presentation by Cuban Independent Journalist

Students are also welcome to attend Professor Alisa Kessel's PG 346 class in Wyatt 313 from 11-12:20 on Tuesday, 2/20 for a more informal discussion with Dimas--probably around his experience with race and class in Cuba.


Friday, February 16, 2018

Opportunity to Travel Abroad



Dear P&G student,

The Department of Politics and Government is pleased to be able to offer one student each year the opportunity to travel abroad via the Pohlad Award, endowed by P&G alum Chris Pohlad (’07).  Rising juniors and seniors are particularly encouraged to apply.

IMPORTANT DATES:
March 15, 2018: Application Due. Submit one copy of the complete application via the following form.
April 1, 2018: Awards announced via letters sent via email.
October 1, 2018: Final materials due to the faculty supervisor of the Pohlad Award.

For more information and to apply, please visit this link.

If you have questions, you can direct them to Professor Kendall, Professor O'Neil, or me.

Kind regards,

AK

----
Alisa Kessel, PhD
Professor and Chair
Department of Politics & Government

DC Internships




Dear Alisa Kessel,

We are still accepting applications for the 2018 Institute on Comparative Political & Economic Systems in Washington, DC. Please forward the announcement below to any students who may be interested in spending this summer in the nation’s capital.

Sponsored by The Fund for American Studies in partnership with George Mason University, the program is an eight week summer academic intern program that offers undergraduate students a first-hand look at public policy through:
• An internship placement within the field of public policy
• Courses for credit in economics, public policy and government
• Exclusive lectures, briefings and professional development seminars
• Housing in the heart of Washington, DC

Students should apply by March 13 for admission and scholarship consideration. Visit www.DCinternships.org/ICPES for more information on the program and to begin an online application.

Thank you for your time and consideration. If you have any questions, I may be reached at ICPES@tfas.org or 202.986.0384.

Sincerely,

Laura Cusack
Manager, Institute on Comparative Political & Economic Systems
The Fund for American Studies

********************************************************************
LIVE. LEARN. INTERN. in Washington, DC
Public Policy + Economics Program
June 2 – July 27, 2018
Final Deadline: March 13
** Scholarship Funding Still Available**
www.DCinternships.org/ICPES

Spend the summer getting an insider’s view of the government and how public policy is made in Washington, DC. This is an important time to be in the nation’s capital as changes to laws, regulations and the government are being debated by both sides of the aisle. Be part of history by living and working for two months in Washington, DC!

INTERNSHIPS + CLASSES FOR CREDIT
Spend your summer gaining real-world experience in the office and classroom

Set yourself apart when it comes time to find your first job after graduation by interning for a Congressional office, government agency, think tank, policy group or non-governmental organization. You will maximize your time this summer by also taking courses for 3 to 9 transferable credits from George Mason University.

As part of our comprehensive program, all participants will receive an internship placement. Our staff works to place you with an organization that fits your skills and career goals.

Picture yourself working on one of these exciting projects:

• Giving a tour to visitors on Capitol Hill.
• Attending a Congressional briefing and writing a detailed report.
• Attending meetings with a think tank policy expert.
• Researching data for a report on immigration reform initiatives.
• Planning and developing a social media campaign for human trafficking awareness.
• Attending a strategy meeting with coalition groups advocating for new comprehensive energy policies.

You will live in the heart of Washington, DC:
• Just steps from the White House, State Department and National Monuments
• Furnished apartments are on-campus at George Washington University

Apply today - there are still scholarship awards to be granted:
• More than 70% of students receive funding
• Awards are determined on the basis of financial need and merit
• Average awards of $1,000 to $4,500

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until March 13. To learn more about the programs and to begin an online application, please visit www.DCinternships.org/ICPES. Questions may be directed to 202.986.0384 or admissions@tfas.org.