Upcoming Events
The Global and International Studies program works hard to bring relevant and beneficial content to our students and allied faculty and staff, which includes our diverse offering of events each academic year. Please check back for our upcoming events.
Past Events
Ethnic Tensions in Ethiopia
A Panel Discussion with Dr. Joyce Busch, Dr. Thomas Kostrzewa, and Dr. Gary Marquardt
Thursday, March 25, 2021| 4 to 5 p.m. | Webex
Genocide Watch has categorized the ongoing crisis in Ethiopia's Tigray region, which began November 2020, as a level 9 genocide. However, mixed messages coming out of the country leave the truth of the crisis obscured. Moderated by Returned Peace Corps Ethiopia volunteer, Kala Willette, this panel will be taking an interdisciplinary look at the escalation, processes and implications of the crisis in the Tigray region with Dr. Joyce Busch, Dr. Thomas Kostrzewa, and Dr. Gary Marquardt. For a Webex invitation link, please RSVP to Kala Willette.
Latinx Bash!
Friday, March 5, 2021
Research Briefs in Global Studies-Anthropology Meets Economics: Selective Ethnic Attrition
Dr. Marcela Mendoza | Tuesday, February 23, 2021 | 4 to 5 p.m. | Webex virtual event
The concept of selective ethnic attrition has been used to study racial-ethnic identification and immigrant incorporation in the United States. Because “successful” immigrants’ ethnic identities tend to be dropped, studies by economists have shown that we underestimate the assimilation of immigrants. In this research (co-authored with , Bárbara Mazza, Graciela Cabana, Lindsay Smith, and Francisco Di Fabio Rocca) researchers utilized the concept to explore whether family tree information is accurately reflected in a population sample in Argentina, a country that received millions of immigrants during the so-called Age of Mass Migration (1850–1913). Self-reported family tree information along with genetic ancestry data are used in the analysis. Participants are encouraged to stay after the talk for casual conversation. Feel free to bring snacks and drinks to this virtual event! Please RSVP to Susan Pozo to receive a Webex invitation.
An American Archaeologist in the Middle East: Experiences in Turkey and Syria
Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020 | noon to 1 p.m. | via Webex
Dr. Britt Hartenberger (IIAS; Anthropology) will discuss her archaeological projects in Turkey and Syria where she has worked over a period of 20 years. She will discuss the organization of projects in the Middle East, changing political situations, the appropriation of cultures, and some unique interactions women have while doing research in these countries. This event will take place via Webex, so please RSVP to GIST director Susan Pozo before the event to receive a Webex invitation link.
Performer-Audience Connections
Feb. 19, 2020 | 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Humanities Center (Knauss Hall)
Elise DeCamp (IIAS; Anthropology) will discuss comedy performance strategies and how they impact audience-performer dynamics in stand-up comedy clubs throughout the American Midwest. Cynthia Running-Johnson (World Languages and Literatures-French) will discuss contemporary French theater production and issues of spectatorship.
"Hong Kong Update: Unresolved" with Dr. Thomas Kostrzewa
Jan. 30, 2020 | 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. | 3025 Brown Hall
Over half a year of steady and sometimes volatile demonstrations has thus far resulted in no conclusive direction for dynamic tensions in Hong Kong. Dr. Kostrzewa ("Dr. K"; global and international studies) will lead a discussion related to his recent trips to Hong Kong and his observations.
Religious Pluralism in Ukraine and the Midwest
Nov. 6, 2019 | 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. | 3025 Brown Hall
Dr. Vyacheslav (Slava) Karpov (Sociology) will discuss how Ukraine's post-Soviet resurgence of religions has generated a pluralistic and tolerant atmosphere in the country today. Drawing from his work on Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, Henry Ford, and John E. Fetzer, Dr. Brian Wilson (Comparative Religion) will discuss the use of spiritual biography to explore the religious diversity of the Midwest.
Research Briefs in Global Studies
Indigenous-Colonizer Dynamics in Latin America
Oct. 24, 2019 | 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. | 3025 Brown Hall
Dr. Marcela Mendoza (Gender and Women's Studies) will discuss tribal warfare among hunter-gatherers in the Bolivian Gran Chaco region as well as indigenous alliances there that resisted settlers' encroachment on their lands in the 19th century. Dr. Matt Nielsen (Global and International Studies) will discuss how a critical rereading of colonial Spanish accounts of indigenous violence in northeastern South American can expose colonial propaganda and shed new light on indigenous peoples' territoriality and politics.
Meet a GIST Alumna: Kathleen Fish, Immigration Lawyer
Oct. 11, 2019 | 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. | 2041 Moore Hall (GIST Conference Room)
Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to meet GIST's Alumni Achievement Award recipient for 2019, Kathleen Fish (class of 2011), a Senior Associate with Brown Immigration LLC of Cleveland, Ohio working on deportation defense and family-based immigration. She was recently selected by Super Lawyers for a "Rising Star" award for 2019. This is an open-house style event, so please feel free to come and go as you are available. This event is free and light refreshments will be provided.
Going Global: GIST Career Workshop
Oct. 2, 2019 | 2:30 to 5 p.m. | Lee Honors College Lounge
Have you ever wondered what job possibilities exist for those graduating with a GIST major? This is your perfect opportunity to get a taste of this reality and to learn from experienced GIST alumni and others in the global professions what you can start doing now to get there. Panelists will be available to discuss opportunities for internships, study abroad, teaching English abroad, Peace Corps service, and more. A virtual panel of alumni, including those working for the Foreign Service, higher education, and the U.S. House of Representatives in D.C. will discuss where they are now and how they got there. Resume critiquing will be available also. This event is free and will offer light refreshments.
Visiting Scholar Lecture "The Changing Identity of Latinos in the U.S. Today" with Dr. Mark Hugo Lopez
Sept. 25 | 4 to 5:30 p.m. | 2028 Brown Hall
Introduced by WMU President Edward Montgomery, Dr. Lopez of the Pew Research Center will discuss Latino identity in the U.S. in honor of Hispanic Heritage month and preceding the rollout of the new Latinx and Latin American Studies minor at WMU. The lecture will be followed by a small reception outside of 2028 Brown featuring light refreshments. This event is free and open to the public. This event has been approved as a Signature: Global Engagement event.