September
September 17, 2008 - Constitution DayThe ADP Program, along with several other departments and programs on campus are sponsoring today's annual Constitution Day activities on campus. Multiple events throughout the day will include voter registration, distribution of pocket constitutions, and a lecture on the Constitution.
Dr. Frank Pommersheim, Professor of Law at the University of South Dakota, will deliver a lecture entitled "Broken Landscape: Indians, Indian Tribes, and the Constitution" at 6:00 p.m. in Copeland Hall, Room 142. The lecture is sponsored by the Political Science Department, the Ethnic Studies Program, the American Democracy Project, Phi Alpha Theta (History Honor Society), the Locke & Key Society, and the History Department.
September 18, 2008 - E.N. Thompson Forum: "Eyewitness to Power: The Essence of Leadership," David Gergen
Commentator, editor, teacher, public servant, best-selling author and adviser to presidents, David Gergen has been an active participant in American national life. He served as director of communications for President Ronald Reagan and also held positions in the Nixon, Ford and Clinton administrations. Gergen currently serves as editor-at-large at U.S. News & World Reports and as a regular television commentator. He is also a professor of public service at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government and director of its Center for Public Leadership. In 2000, he published the best-selling book "Eyewitness to Power: The Essence: of Leadership, Nixon to Clinton."
The speech will be available live on the web with live satellite broadcast and follow-up discussion at UNK in the Communications Center, Room 101. Students can contact Joan Blauwkamp to sign-up for free admission to the speech, available on first-come first-serve basis.
September 23, 2008 - County Government DayUNK will host over 500 high school students from central Nebraska for County Government Day. The ADP and the Political Science department will participate in a portion of the program.
September 24, 2008 - Candidate DebateThe American Democracy Project will host a debate between Jim George and Galen Hadley, candidates for State Senate Seat for District 37, in Copeland Hall, Room 142 at 7:00 p.m.
October
October 6, 2008 - "Wall Street is Main Street"
The American Democracy Project (ADP) at UNK will launch the first "Times Talk" on Monday, October 6, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Fireside Lounge of the Student Union. Bev Frickel will lead the "Wall Street is Main Street" discussion to address the current financial crisis. The ADP at UNK plans to host "Times Talks," throughout the year to provide opportunities for students to engage in common conversation, as well as to coordinate with the introduction of the New York Times to campus.
October 10, 2008 - "Ethnic Conflict and Great Power Politics in Europe"
The American Democracy Project (ADP) at UNK will host another Times Talk on Friday, October 10, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Fireside Lounge of the Student Union. Carol Lilly will lead a discussion regarding "Ethnic Conflict and Great Power Politics in Europe." Students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend the Times Talk, and the ADP will provide free pizza and pop. Faculty, encourage your students to participate in this opportunity for engaged discussion on campus. The ADP at UNK plans to host Times Talks throughout the year to provide opportunities for students to engage in common conversation, as well as to coordinate with the introduction of the New York Times to campus.
October 24, 2008 - "Galileo, Climate Change and the Cultural Divide"Marvin Glasser will lead this week's Times Talk discussion, "Galileo, Climate Change and the Cultural Divide" on Friday, October 24, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. in the Fireside Lounge of the Student Union. The ADP will provide free pizza and pop. Students, faculty, and staff, are invited to join us for this week's Times Talk. Faculty, please encourage your students to participate in this opportunity for engaged discussion on campus.
October 28, 2008 - E.N. Thompson Forum: "Democracy and Religion: America and Israel," Ronald DworkinRonald Dworkin has a unique ability to tie together abstract philosophical ideas and arguments with concrete everyday concerns in law, morals and politics. Dubbed "Mr. Justice" by the Times of London, Dworkin's pioneering scholarly work has had worldwide impact. He is a Professor of Philosophy and Law at New York University and a Professor of Law at University College London. In 2007, Dworkin was awarded the prestigious Holberg International Memorial Prize by the University of Bergen, Norway for outstanding scholarly work in the humanities. Dworkin has written influential articles on matters of public political controversy for many years. Among his many acclaimed books are: "Taking Rights Seriously," "Justice in Robes" and "Is Democracy Possible Here? Principles for New Political Debate."
November
November 4, 2008 - Election Night EventThe Locke & Key Society and the American Democracy Project are co-sponsoring a non-partisan event to watch election returns, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday night in Copeland Hall, Room 142. The event will feature professors from Political Science, Mass Media, and Economics. Snacks will be provided.
November 7, 2008 - "Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Stateless Border"Pradeep Barua, Professor of History, will lead the Times Talk on Friday, November 7 from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. in the Fireside Lounge of the Student Union. The American Democracy Project will provide free pizza and pop. All students, faculty, and staff, are welcome to participate in this week's Times Talk. Faculty, please make your students aware of this opportunity for engaged discussion on campus.
November 18, 2008 - E.N. Thompson Forum: "America and the World, 1962 to 2008: Contrasts and Contradictions," Theodore C. SorensenTheodore C. 'Ted' Sorensen, former special counsel and adviser to President John F. Kennedy and a widely published author on the presidency and foreign affairs, practiced international law for over 36 years as a senior partner, and now of counsel, in the prominent U.S. law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. Former chairman of the firm's International Practice Committee, he has represented U.S. and multinational corporations in negotiations with governments all over the world and advised and assisted a large number of foreign governments and government leaders, ranging from the late President Anwar El Sadat of Egypt to former President Nelson Mandela of South Africa. Sorensen is a Lincoln native and graduate of UNL and the University of Nebraska College of Law. His memoirs, "Counselor: A Life at the Edge of History," were published in May, 2008.
December
December 12, 2008 - Dr. Kwakiutl L. Dreher, Associate Professor of English and Ethnic Studies at UNL, will deliver a talk, “Dancing on the White Page: Black Women Entertainers Writing Autobiography - Lena, Eartha, Mary, Dorothy, and Whoopi are here” at 12:30 p.m. in Copeland Hall, Room 140. This talk is sponsored by UNK’s Ethnic Studies Program and American Democracy Project.
January
January 19, 2009 - MLK Day EventTo honor Martin Luther King, Jr., the Political Science Department, the Ethnic Studies Program, and the American Democracy Project are co-sponsoring an event at 7:00 p.m. in the Amphitheater outside of the Fine Arts Building. The event will include candle lighting and recitations from some of Dr. King's speeches.
February
February 6, 2009 - "The Solar Future: an inside view of the research"Christopher Exstrom, Professor of Chemistry, will lead the Times Talk on Friday, February 6 at 12:15 p.m. in the Fireside Lounge of the Student Union with free pizza and pop provided. All students, faculty, and staff, are welcome to participate in this week's Times Talk. Faculty, please announce this event to your students.
February 10, 2009 - E.N. Thompson Forum: "Bridging the Gap: Globalization without Isolation," F.W. de KlerkDuring his time as president of South Africa, F.W. de Klerk released Nelson Mandela from prison, and initiated and presided over the dismantling of apartheid, the adoption of South Africa's first fully democratic constitution and the first-ever multiracial elections. In 1993, Mandela and de Klerk shared the Nobel Peace Prize. One of the most influential statesmen of our time, de Klerk founded and is currently chairman of the Global Leadership Foundation, a consortium of former heads of state dedicated to promoting peace, democracy and development worldwide by providing confidential peer-to-peer advice to governments around the world.
February 20, 2009 - Bush’s Legacy to Obama: The Future of American Foreign PolicyDr. Christopher Stevens will offer the Times Talk on Friday, February 20 at 12:15 p.m. in the Fireside Lounge in the Nebraskan Student Union with free pizza and pop.
March
March 4, 2009 - E.N. Thompson Forum: "Notes from Afghanistan," Sarah ChayesSarah Chayes has been living and working in Kandahar, Afghanistan since 2001, when she covered the fall of the Taliban for National Public Radio. In 2002 she left journalism to help rebuild the shattered country whose fate will help determine the shape of the 21st century, working first with Afghans for Civil Society, and currently with Arghand, a cooperative producing fine skin-care products from local fruits, nuts and botanicals. The Washington Post described her book, "The Punishment of Virtue: Inside Afghanistan After the Taliban," as "sharply observed, fearlessly told." Prior to her assignment in Afghanistan, Chayes reported for NPR in the Balkans, North Africa and the Middle East. Along with members of her NPR team, she was recognized by the Foreign Press for her reporting in Kosovo. Simulcast in 101 Communications Center with free parking in the Frank House Lot. Refreshments will be available and we will have a short discussion, following the talk, led by faculty. All faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend.
March 6, 2009 - Felice Nudelman, NY TimesNudelman will be talking about the work of NY Times with the American Democracy Project and using newspapers in the classroom at 3:00 p.m. in Room 310 of the Nebraskan Student Union. Refreshments will be served.
March 25, 2009 - E.N. Thompson Forum: "Illegal Immigrants: Path to Citizenship?," Dr. Michael Olivas & Dr. Vernon BriggsEstimates of the number of illegal immigrants in the United States range from 11 million to more than 20 million. Most recommendations for immigration reform center on the issue of a path to citizenship for these people. Opponents say this is amnesty, a strategy which proved ineffective in previous immigration legislation. Supporters say legalization is both a necessity and a moral obligation. In the second annual Wilson Dialogue, Dr. Michael Olivas, William B. Bates Distinguished Chair of Law at the University of Houston, and Dr. Vernon Briggs, Professor Emeritus in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, will discuss the issue of a path to citizenship. The lecture will be simultaneously broadcast in Room 101 in the Communications Center at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Parking is available in the Frank House parking lot.
March 27, 2009 - "The Well Educated Citizen"Dr. Dennis Potthoff, Professor of Teacher Education, will present this week's Times Talk, hosted by the American Democracy Project at 12:15 p.m. in the Fireside Lounge in the Nebraskan Student Union. Pizza and pop will be provided. All students, faculty, and staff, are welcome to participate.
April
April 10, 2009 - "Kashmir: Behind the Veil"
Dr. Nyla Khan will present the last Times Talk of the semester at 12:15 p.m. in the Fireside Lounge of the Nebraskan Student Union. Pizza and pop will be provided. All students, faculty, and staff, are welcome to participate.
April 14, 2009 - E.N. Thompson Forum: "Citizenship in a Global Age," Colin G. CampbellColin G. Campbell is Chairman and President of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation which, in 2007, convened the World Forum on the Future of Democracy. The Forum brought together international and national scholars on democracy and government officials, politicians and advocates who have played a role in democracy's advance. Colonial Williamsburg is a partner in the celebrated "By the People" series which has engaged thousands of people in conversation about America's role in the world and other vital issues. As a product of this partnership, in early 2008 PBS aired "Dialogues in Democracy," a documentary based on a national conversation with emerging leaders and influential Americans about fundamental citizenship. At the same time, Colonial Williamsburg debuted iCitizenForum.com which uses global technology to initiate a worldwide dialogue about the roles, rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democracy.