Past Events

February 19, 2024

60th Anniversary Arthur L. Throckmorton Lecture: Kelly Lytle Hernández on “Million Dollar Hoods: Using Maps, Data, and Archives to End Mass Incarceration in Los Angeles”

Los Angeles County operates the largest jail system in the United States, which incarcerates more people than any other nation on Earth. At a cost of nearly $1 billion annually, more than 20,000 people are caged every night in L.A.’s county jails and city lockups. But not every neighborhood is equally impacted by L.A.’s massive jail system. In fact, L.A.’s nearly billion-dollar jail budget is largely committed to incarcerating many people from just a few neighborhoods. In some communities, more than one-million dollars is spent annually on incarceration. These are L.A.’s Million Dollar Hoods.

Led by Prof. Kelly Lytle Hernández, the Million Dollar Hoods (MDH) research team maps and monitors how much local authorities spend on locking up residents in L.A.’s Million Dollar Hoods. Led by Black and Brown women and driven by formerly-incarcerated persons as well as residents of Million Dollar Hoods, the MDH team also provides the only full and public account of the leading causes of arrest in Los Angeles, revealing that drug possession and DUIs are the top booking charges in L.A.’s Million Dollar Hoods. Collectively, this data counters the popular misunderstanding that incarceration advances public safety by removing violent, serious offenders from the streets. In fact, local authorities are investing millions in locking up the County’s most economically vulnerable, geographically isolated, and racially marginalized populations for drug and alcohol-related crimes. This talk provides an introduction to the Million Dollar Hoods project, method, and impact.

October 26, 2023

BANNED: A Teach-In About the Attack on Ethnic Studies and Gender Studies

An opportunity for students to have conversation with L&C faculty in Ethnic Studies and Gender Studies.

April 12, 2023

61st Annual International Affairs Symposium

The theme of this year’s student-run symposium is Functions of Fear: Conflict, Compliance, Chaos

April 11, 2023

61st Annual International Affairs Symposium

The theme of this year’s student-run symposium is Functions of Fear: Conflict, Compliance, Chaos

April 10, 2023

61st Annual International Affairs Symposium

The theme of this year’s student-run symposium is Functions of Fear: Conflict, Compliance, Chaos

The Honorable Tulinabo Mushingi, US Ambassador to Angola and Sao Tome y Principe
March 15, 2023

Annual Ambassador Edward J. Perkins Distinguished Speaker Series Address

Please join us for an evening with the Honorable Tulinabo Mushingi, United States Ambassador to Angola and Sao Tome y Principe. The title of his talk is “From Eastern Congo to Foggy Bottom: the improbable journey of an American Diplomat.”

China Taiwan Relations
October 11, 2022

Contentious Global Issues Discussion: CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS

The International Affairs Department presents...

Contentious Global Issues Discussion:
China-Taiwan Relations

A debate among international affairs faculty with full participation by students. Faculty include Francis Abugbilla, Kyle Lascurettes, Bob Mandel, Matt Scroggs, and Laura Vinson.

Tuesday, October 11, 2022
3:30-5:00pm
JR Howard 202 *in-person only
Jessica Simon is the Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in Recife, Brazil
April 21, 2021

Career Insight | Jessica Simon on how you can work for the State Department

Interested in working for the state department? Join us as Jessica Simon shares her 18 years experience serving in Israel, Afghanistan, Brazil, and Mexico. Jessica will provide insight on the recruitment process, how to enter foreign service, and what you can do to prepare!


When: Wednesday, April 21 from 2-3pm PST
Where: Join us on Zoom (email mrozairo@lclark.edu)
 Format: Jessica will share her experience for about 30 minutes and there will be time for Q&A after.

Additional Background Information:

Jessica Simon is the Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in Recife, Brazil. She arrived in September, 2020. She most recently served as Press Attache for the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.

A career Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State, Ms. Simon previously served as Public Affairs Officer at U.S. Consulate General Rio de Janeiro; in Washington as Deputy Director of Communications in the Office of the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, as Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary in the Public Affairs Bureau, and as a Pearson Congressional Fellow. Ms. Simon also served overseas at the U.S. Embassies in Tel Aviv, Israel and Kabul, Afghanistan.

An Oregon native, Ms. Simon holds a B.A. in psychology from Tufts University, and a Masters degree in international relations from Georgetown University. She speaks Portuguese, Spanish, Hebrew, and some Dari. Prior to joining the Department of State, Ms. Simon worked as a program officer in the Washington office of Partners of the Americas, and as an English teacher with the WorldTeach program in Costa Rica. She and her Brazilian-born husband Frederico, have a seven-year-old daughter and a fifteen-month-old son.

Darrell Blocker
April 15, 2021

Guest Speaker Darrell Blocker | Lessons Learned after 32-year Career in International Affairs

The International Affairs Department invites you to join an end-of-the-year event with special guest speaker Darrell Blocker. Darrell is a 32-year career intelligence officer with experience in global security and social justice initiatives. Darrell currently lives in the greater Los Angeles area after a lifetime residing and working in foreign countries in Africa, Asia and Europe; including Italy, Okinawa, South Korea, Niger, Senegal, Morocco, Nigeria, Uganda, Pakistan, and Switzerland. Don’t miss hearing his perspective on current global issues and his advice on what you can do to prepare for the job market.
March 16, 2021

Uncivil Societies: Explaining Government Repression Against NGOs

Featuring Assistant Professor Suparna Chaudhry.
February 3, 2021

The Ratline: The Flight of the Nazis to Avoid Prosecution.

The 2021 Distinguished International Law Visitor is Philippe Sands, Professor of Laws and Director of the Centre on International Courts and Tribunals, University College London, University of London. He will speak about the flight of Nazis from Germany to Argentina, as well as the origins of the legal concepts of genocide and crimes against humanity.

Rep Earl Blumenauer
October 22, 2020

US Congressman Earl Blumenauer on Trade Policy

US Congressman Earl Blumenauer, representative of Oregon’s 3rd District, will join the Lewis & Clark Community to discuss the past, current, and (potential) futures for US trade. Representative Blumenauer serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and chairs the Subcommittee on Trade. This is a non-partisan event that intends to inform students about trade policy making and its consequences, from the perspective of one elected official. All perspectives are welcome.
September 14, 2020

Internships & Fellowships with the U.S. Department of State

Diplomat in Residence for the Northwest Micaela Schweitzer-Bluhm will talk with students about career opportunities and the U.S. Department of State’s internship and fellowship programs, with an eye toward preparing students for internship and fellowship applications, which are due in September.
May 12, 2020

Bank of America Virtual Events

Bank of America is hosting a variety of virtual events for students, recent graduates, and alumni to explore career paths within their organization!
April 10, 2019

A World of MADness? The Merits and Limitations of Nuclear Disarmament

The 57th International Affairs Symposium features Ira Helfand and Bharat Karnad, who will be debating on how safe, feasible, or desirable nuclear disarmament is.
April 10, 2019

Human Rights: Universally Inclusive or Culturally Contextual?

The 57th International Affairs Symposium features Livingstone Sewanyana and Bonny Ibhawoh, who will be debating on whether human rights are universal and encompassing, or a tool used towards perpetuating colonialism.
April 9, 2019

An Environmentally Sustainable Future in Demand: Can Capitalism Supply it?

The 57th International Affairs Symposium features Dan Dudek and Paavo Järvensivu, who will be debating on whether capitalism can provide the tools to reverse environmental degradation as well as what feasible alternatives can be implemented in the face of climate change.  
April 9, 2019

Private Military Contractors: Terms and Conditions May Apply*

The 57th International Affairs Symposium features Jose L. Gomez del Prado and Molly Dunigan, who will be debating on the ways states should balance the costs and benefits when considering employing Private Military Contractors (PMCs) and whether they are justifiable. 
April 8, 2019

The Populist Disruption: Make Democracy Great Again

The 57th international Affairs symposium features Yascha Mounk and Richard Morales, who will be debating on whether democracy can be fixed by adapting institutions or by rethinking the system altogether. 
April 8, 2019

In NGOs We Trust? Determining the Agenda of Foreign-Funded Non-Governmental Organizations

The 57th international Affairs symposium features David J. Kramer and Timothy M. Gill, who will be debating on whether democracy-promoting NGOs are influencers of foreign interests or advocates for civil society.  
February 20, 2019

Middlebury Institute of International Studies Info Session

Join Middlebury Institute alumna Kaitlin Sommerfeld and staff Jill Stoffers to learn more about how launching your international career with a Middlebury Institute master’s degree. Learn about the life on campus, master’s programs, scholarships, and hear about the career outcomes for our alumni. See you soon!
February 19, 2019

The American Foreign Service: Myths & Realities with Niels Marquardt

Interested in a career in diplomacy?

Former US Ambassador Niels Marquardt is an LC alumnus who has just been appointed Diplomat-in-Residence on our campus. Ambassador Marquardt will speak from the perspective of his 33-year State Department career, focusing on realities and misperceptions about diplomacy, representing America abroad, and the day-to-day lifestyle that goes with it all. We look forward to seeing you there!
November 27, 2018

Fireside Chat with Ambassador Charles Swindells

Are you interested in pursuing a career in international business but aren’t sure how to make that happen or what such a career really entails? The department of International Affairs is thrilled to host a fireside chat with Ambassador Charles Swindells. Ambassador Swindells spent four years as the US Ambassador to New Zealand and currently runs the Lake Oswego based Greenbrier Company. The Greenbrier Company is a major player in the freight rail car manufacturing space in North and South America and Europe. Ambassador Swindells will discuss his path to becoming the director of the company and his extensive travel to manufacturing plants in Ukraine, Romania, Poland, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, among others. Join us for this exciting opportunity to learn about careers in global business. 
November 15, 2018

Peace Corps Tabling Session

October 23, 2018

IA Grad School Info Session

Dr. Peter Bechtold
October 17, 2018

Career Opportunities in U.S. Government Foreign Affairs Agencies

Join Dr. Peter Bechtold as he discusses how U.S. foreign policy is made and what it is like to work domestically and overseas in more than a dozen U.S. Government agencies.
April 11, 2018

56th International Affairs Symposium

The Scramble for Sovereignty: Modern Challenges to an Age-old Construct



Responsible Sovereignty: Exposing Tensions Surrounding Humanitarian Intervention
Wednesday, April 11, 3:30 p.m.
Speakers: Lou Pingeot and Thomas Weiss
Moderator: Heather Smith-Cannoy, International Affairs

What is more important: the sovereignty of a state or the sovereignty of its people? This question comes to the fore when a state fails to protect its population and other states feel obliged to intervene. In such regard, when and how should military intervention take place?

A New Geography of Power? State Sovereignty and the Corporate Dilemma



Wednesday, April 11, 7 p.m.
Speakers: John M. Kline & Saskia Sassen
Moderator: Elizabeth Bennett, International Affairs

In recent decades, the world has seen a drastic shift in prevalence from small businesses to corporate behemoths. Consequently, multinational corporations have gained an increasingly unprecedented role in the global political economy. Who is still sovereign: multinational corporations or states?

April 10, 2018

56th International Affairs Symposium

The Scramble for Sovereignty: Modern Challenges to an Age-old Construct



Earth and Entitlement: Reconciling International Agreements, Sovereignty, and the Common Good
Tuesday, April 10, 3:30 p.m
Speakers: Chandra Bhushan and Terry L. Anderson
Moderator: Moriah Bostian, Economics

Global environmental action has moved to the forefront of international discussion. Are international environmental agreements an infringement on state sovereignty and resource security or are they an essential component of an internationally shared future?

Foreign Aid: A Path to Development or Dependence?
Tuesday, April 10, 7 p.m.
Speakers: Andrew Mwenda and Sam Jones
Moderators: Aine McCarthy, Economics

Foreign aid to the Global South has been assumed to alleviate poverty, financial crises, and health epidemics. Nonetheless, some aid-receiving states argue that foreign assistance is a hindrance to relieving domestic problems. Does foreign aid inhibit or enhance state sovereignty?
April 9, 2018

56th International Affairs Symposium

The Scramble for Sovereignty: Modern Challenges to an Age-old Construct

Firewalls: Applying Westphalian Principles to Cyberspace
Monday, April 9, 3:30 p.m.
Speakers: Col. Forrest Hare and Gus Swanda
Moderator: Tung Yin, Law school

In an era where hacking, superbugs, and viruses can potentially disrupt large sectors of society, is the need for sovereign protection against these potential threats worth sacrificing unrestricted internet access? Do we need cyber borders?


Evaluating Secession: Legitimacy and Stability in the Balance
Monday, April 9, 7:30 p.m.
Speakers: Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman and Aleksandar Pavković
Moderator: Todd Lochner, Political Science

Self-determination and territorial integrity come at odds when a people wish to create a state of their own. In this regard, how do secessionist movements and their new states get recognized if all states strive to protect their territorial integrity and sovereignty?

October 27, 2017

Brexit, the EU and the US: An Example of De-Globalization?

“Brexit, the EU and the US: An Example of De-Globalization?”
Dirk Wouters, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium
October 17, 2017

IA Meet Your Major

Join the International Affairs faculty in a casual meet-and-greet to answer any questions you may have, as well as take the opportunity to get to know one another!
October 17, 2017

IA Speaker Series

First Speaker Series of the semester! Discussion topic will be the influence of resurgent nationalism and populism in international affairs.
October 4, 2017

WHAT DOES RUSSIA WANT?

A public lecture by Julia Ioffe -  an American journalist who covers national security and foreign policy topics.
April 12, 2017

7 Billion and Beyond: Confronting Rapid Growth

According to the United Nations, the Earth’s population is estimated to reach 9.7 billion people by the year 2050. With this, questions regarding environmental sustainability, resource scarcity, and growing population pressures have become increasingly prevalent. Is overconsumption the root cause of these problems, or are the effects of rising populations in developing countries our greatest concern?
April 12, 2017

The Metropolitan Order: The Impact of Cities on the International System

Demographic changes in the 21st century have led to rapid urbanization around the world. Will growing cities coupled with global connectivity cause cities to play a leading role in handling issues of international importance? Or does the nature of cities and the institutions within them prevent their emergence as powerful international actors?
April 11, 2017

The Huddled Masses: Displacement in a Time of Crisis

*NOTE*: This event will now take place in Agnes Flanagan chapel for L&C Students, Faculty, and Staff ONLY, so as to accommodate a large turnout for the event (L&C ID required for admission).  There will be a simulcast of the event in the Council Chamber in Templeton Campus Center for members of the general public.

With widespread displacement, issues regarding refugee policy are at the forefront of national and international consciousness. Should refugees be allowed to seek refuge only within their country of origin or across the world? Are the economic impacts on home and host states enough to restrict refugees’ movement? Or does international law take priority, enabling refugees to resettle in a different country?
April 11, 2017

All the World Over: Reassessing Globalization

*NOTE*: This event will now take place in Agnes Flanagan chapel.

The effects of globalization have impacted every corner of the world. Has the movement proved to be unstable and dishonest, and failed to bring the changes to the world it promised? Or is globalization a positive force that international institutions and actors should embrace when confronting contemporary issues?
March 9, 2017

Foreign Service: Career Track

Are you interested in foreign service? Have you dreamed about working with the State Department and diplomacy? Join Dorothy Ngutter from the State Department to talk about possible Career Tracks!
October 25, 2016

IA Mock Security Council

The International Affairs department will be hosting a mock United Nations Security Council session with faculty and students. Each faculty will represent a member state and collaborate with students to determine and vote on a response to an international crisis.
April 6, 2016

Shaking Up Global Dynamics: The Impact of Globalization on the Durability of the World Order

Contending and disruptive forces unleashed by the processes of globalization have brought into question the durability of the prevailing global order. Is the current international arrangement robust enough to respond to these challenges? Or are we confronting a future of decentralized power and global chaos?

April 6, 2016

(Inter)national? Evaluating the Concept of Global Citizenship

As today’s conflicts become increasingly interconnected, individuals are attempting to connect beyond their local context. Is global citizenship the answer for furthering an international community to be better engaged in more solutions? Or does it neglect the realities of individual and national identities?

April 5, 2016

Melting Pot or Not? Exploring International Policies in an Age of Migration

In an “age of migration” how should state policies be crafted to accommodate members of increasingly diverse societies? Is assimilation better for states’ efforts to create civic cohesion and stability? Or is multiculturalism more desirable for ensuring the preservation and blending of culture and identity?
April 5, 2016

The Eagle or the Dragon: Debating the Merits of Contrasting Forms of Development

China’s intensification of development initiatives has begun to rival those typically promoted in the developing world. Is the good governance and political rights-based development model promoted by the West still the most sustainable and effective method for aiding the world’s most disadvantaged? Or does China’s infrastructure and economic growth-based development approach offer a better alternative for developing countries?
April 4, 2016

On the Horizon: Charting the Next Steps in Combating ISIS

What is a good starting point for the West to rollback the ISIS terror network? Should states start the process by building good governance to establish order and security? Or should the starting point be a multipronged and nuanced approach, such as addressing deep-seated social and political discords?
April 4, 2016

Does the Net Work? Analyzing the Social Implications of the World Wide Web

With tech-savvy entrepreneurs praising the Internet for its ingenuity, there is much hype surrounding the potential of an open online platform. But does the Internet provide a sphere of opportunities and social empowerment? Or does it reflect entrenching hierarchies that amplify social inequalities across global boundaries?
February 23, 2016

IA Speaker Series on ISIS and the Rise/Resurgence of Extremism

The department is excited to invite you to our second installment of the IA Speaker Series on ISIS and the Rise/Resurgence of Extremism. We will be getting together for an exciting round table discussion on Tuesday, February 23rd from 3:30-4:30 in JRHH 102. As always, our goal is to engage students and faculty together in debate and discussion about a pressing IA issue. Please join us!
December 2, 2015

IA Club: Kurdistan Worker’s Party

Come learn about the Kurdistan Worker’s Party, which is a powerful militant group fighting for Kurdish Independence in Iraq. 
November 10, 2015

IA Mock Security Council

The International Affairs department will be hosting a mock United Nations Security Council session with faculty and students. Each faculty will represent a member state and collaborate with students to determine and vote on a response to an international crisis.

October 16, 2015

U.S. priorities in East Asia and the Trans-Pacific Partnership

Join US Department of State East Asian and Pacific Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary Matthew Matthews to learn about his experiences and the future of US foreign policy in a key region.

October 13, 2015

Meet Your Major: International Affairs

What does it mean to study international affairs in our current chaotic global system? How do we make sense of current affairs? How do we connect understanding current events to our future careers? What kind of pizza is most preferred by IA faculty? Come learn the answers to all these questions and more!
October 13, 2015

Speaker Series: European Refugee Crisis

International Affairs professors and students engage in heated conversation about the current refugee crisis. All are welcome to come defend their position or simply observe!
October 1, 2015

Model UN Meeting

A chance for international organization enthusiasts to gather and negotiate the world to a better place.
April 8, 2015

53rd International Affairs Symposium presents “The Digital Panopticon: Does Surveillance Protect Identity?”

What are the impacts of government surveillance programs on individuals in the post 9/11 era? Does large-scale state surveillance inhibit individual behavior by targeting specific identities? Or does it serve to protect these identities and freedom of expression by securing a state where civil liberties can thrive?
April 8, 2015

53rd International Affairs Symposium presents “Age of Discord: Questioning the Roots of Conflict”

Is conflict in the 21st century caused by a “Clash of Civilizations”? Are perceived differences in ethnicity, religion and nationality to blame? Or do corrupt governments and socio-economic structures incite these disputes by violating social contracts and ignoring discontent?
April 7, 2015

53rd International Affairs Symposium presents “Divisive Doctrine? The Promotion of International Religious Freedom”

Does the promotion of religious freedom stabilize regions with widespread religious persecution? Or do efforts to promote freedom exacerbate inter-religious divisions as religious groups become repressed and isolated due to secular ideals? What counts as religion, and who decides what religions should be protected?
April 7, 2015

53rd International Affairs Symposium presents “Battling the Hydra: Does Western Intervention Fuel Extremism?”

The proliferation of extremist groups and anti-western sentiments are reaching all corners of the globe. Are western states with interventionist identities fueling extremist blowback, thus creating the very conflicts they seek to destroy? Or does western intervention effectively quell the spread of these violent ideologies?
April 6, 2015

53rd International Affairs Symposium presents “I Pledge Allegiance: Navigating the Threat of Foreign Fighters”

With the rise of transnationalism, citizens are leaving their nations to fight for a cause that they believe is just (such as Americans and Europeans going to fight for ISIS). Should governments act to ameliorate the perceived threat by revoking the citizenship of these foreign fighters? Or is the depiction of them as traitors overblown?
April 6, 2015

53rd International Affairs Symposium presents “The Fractured Mosaic: Managing Ethnic Disputes”

Ethnic conflict tears at the fibers of a society and there is no singular prescription for conflict resolution. Is institutional redesign and the preservation of state borders essential in managing ethnically divided societies? Or is peace only achievable through partitioning these identities into separate states?
March 6, 2015

Lewis & Clark’s 1st Annual Middle East Studies Symposium

Lewis & Clark’s 1st Annual Middle East Studies Symposium
until March 6, 2015
March 5, 2015

Lewis & Clark’s 1st Annual Middle East Studies Symposium

Lewis & Clark’s 1st Annual Middle East Studies Symposium
until March 6, 2015
March 4, 2015

Lewis & Clark’s 1st Annual Middle East Studies Symposium

Lewis & Clark’s 1st Annual Middle East Studies Symposium
until March 6, 2015
February 20, 2015

Middle East Studies and the Liberal Arts

Please join us for the keynote address of the conference Integrating Middle East and Arabic Studies Across the NW5C sponsored by the Northwest Five Consortium.
February 11, 2015

Spring IA Speaker Series

The IA department has an exciting set of Speaker Series events planned for the spring! We invite you to come, ask questions and join the debate! It’s sure to be lively!
February 9, 2015

Overseas Program Application Deadline

Overseas applications are due by February 8, 2016. This deadline applies to Spring/Summer/Year in Munich/Domestic Programs. Please visit us in Albany 206 if you have questions!
November 18, 2014

International Affairs Security Council Session

The International Affairs department will be hosting a mock United Nations Security Council session with faculty and students. Each faculty will represent a member state and work with students to determine and vote on a response to an international crisis.
November 11, 2014

Elizabeth Bennett Bookwarming: The Civic Imagination

Join the Lewis & Clark Bookstore on November 11, 2014 to celebrate the latest book from new faculty member, Elizabeth Bennett, Assistant Professor of International Affairs. Bennett will speak about her book, with an opportunity for questions and dialogue

October 27, 2014

International Affairs Speakers Series

A chance to informally get to know new tenure-track IA faculty, Professors Bennett and Lascurettes, and ask about their research and interests. 
October 23, 2014

Global Challenges & The Foreign Service

Lewis Lukens is a Diplomat in Residence with the US Foreign Service and will incorporate stories from his 25-year career to illustrate the role of the foreign services in the issues that face US foreign policy.
October 20, 2014

Meet Your Major (International Affairs)

Meet with faculty and students from the department to learn about what an IA major means academically and professionally.
September 30, 2014

International Relations Graduate Schools Info Session

There will be an open information session for International Affairs majors on graduate programs in the field, including their nature and how best to prepare to attend them.  We are fortunate that admissions representatives from the top professionally-oriented international relations graduate schools will be present–the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy (at Tufts), the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, The Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton, the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia, and the Master of Science in Foreign Service Program at Georgetown.
September 15, 2014

International Affairs Speakers Series

Please come join the IA faculty as we discuss and debate various aspects of the crisis between the Ukraine and Russia.
April 29, 2014

Aid to the “Enemy”: Linking Development and Peacebuilding on the Korean Peninsula

A presentation by Scholar in Residence, Pil Ho Kim
April 9, 2014

The 52nd International Affairs Symposium presents “Ghosts in the Machine: Cyberwarfare and Vulnerability”

The advantages of our digital world are endless, but how do we prepare for the consequences? With our dependence on technology, how do we address attacks that damage and disrupt national information networks? Do we need to revisit a more fundamental question and ask ourselves: does cyberwar exist?

Speakers: Gail Harris and Thomas Rid
April 9, 2014

The 52nd International Affairs Symposium presents “Modern Militias: Fostering Stability or Sowing Strife?”

Non-state groups – warlords, mercenaries, transnational criminal organizations and terrorists – are often presented as one of the biggest threats facing modern societies. Do they threaten the security of countries where they operate or can they actually promote stability?

Speakers: William Reno and Troy Thomas
April 8, 2014

The 52nd International Affairs Symposium presents “The Soft Shield: Is Counterinsurgency the Solution?”

Challenges to state security increasingly come from rebel groups within states. Given the changing nature of global conflict, should governments find new ways of combating insurgencies that include political, economic, and diplomatic means? Or is this focus on winning hearts and minds simply gilded nation building that results in protracted wars and quagmires?

Speakers: Gian Gentile and John Nagl
April 8, 2014

The 52nd International Affairs Symposium presents “Guns for Good? Militarizing Humanitarian Intervention”

Do militarized humanitarian campaigns blur the line between neo-imperial intervention and the genuine desire to assist ailing states? Can foreign military presence help a country regain stability, or will it threaten the wellbeing of an already suffering state? 

Speakers: Emira Woods and Milena Sterio
April 7, 2014

The 52nd International Affairs Symposium presents “Safer Strikes or Strike Outs? The Emergence of Drone Warfare”

How does the emergence of drone warfare shape the international community’s response to imminent threats? Do drones serve as a symbol of unbarred power, creating internal backlash? Or do they ultimately enable global stability by carefully targeting dangers?

Speakers: Michael Hayden and John Weston
April 7, 2014

The 52nd International Affairs Symposium presents “Capturing Conflict: Shedding Light or Framing Biases?”

What role do visual media play in shaping our perception of international affairs? What can the camera capture that the written word leaves out? Is it possible to truthfully depict global social and political struggles and relay information honestly, or is bias an inevitable part of telling the story?

Speakers: Ed Kashi and Dennis Dunleavy

February 18, 2014

2nd Annual TCK Symposium

Come to the 2nd Annual TCK Symposium to learn about TCKs and how moving around affects the way they view, create, and maintain relationships with people, places, and cultures. Keynote presentation by Ruth Van Reken, co-author of the book, “Third Culture Kids: Growing up Among Worlds”.
Ambassador Christian Wenaweser
October 24, 2013

United Nations Ambassador from Liechtenstein speaks on International Criminal Court: Heart of the Fight for Justice

Christian Wenaweser, United Nations Ambassador from Liechtenstein speaks on “The International Criminal Court:  Heart of the Fight for Justice.”   The Ambassador will describe the history and mandate of the ICC Outcome of the Kampala Review Conference, followed by current challenges–in particular Syria–as well as concerns regarding Africa.  He will conclude with remarks on the United States and the ICC.  Q/A to follow.

Event is free and open to the general public.  Registration invited but not required.
October 23, 2013

Dinah Dodds Endowment for International Studies Reception and Recipient Presentations

Please join us for a reception followed by presentations by students who applied for and received funds from the Dinah Dodds Endowment for International Studies. The endowment provides assistance to students to help subsidize their overseas travel or to enhance their program experience. The fund also provides stipends for additional program components not otherwise covered in the program budget.

Wednesday, October 23, 3013
Albany - Smith Hall
3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
September 25, 2013

Overseas & Off-campus Programs Information Session

Join the Overseas & Off-campus Programs office in this information session to learn about programs that will be offered in 2014-2015 and the application process. The session will take place in Council Chambers.
September 5, 2013

Fulbright Grant Informational Meeting

If you have started your Fulbright application, or plan to apply, this meeting will answer all your questions. 
April 10, 2013

Corporations in the Third World: Arrested Development or Forward Progress?

Corporations in the Third World: Arrested Development or Forward Progress?

 Experts John Perkins and Gary Quinlivan debate this topic with moderator Nicholas Smith


51st Annual International Affairs Symposium
Power: Balance, Order and Flux
April 10, 2013

A King in Every Corner: Negotiating Regional Collective Security

A King in Every Corner: Negotiating Regional Collective Security

Experts Joshua Kleinfels and Alexander Cooley debate this topic, with moderator Todd Lochner. 

51st Annual International Affairs Symposium
Power: Balance, Order, and Flux
April 9, 2013

Parceling Peace: Seeking Solutions to Intrastate Ethnic Conflict

Parceling Peace: Seeking Solutions to Intrastate Ethnic Conflict

 Exerts Michael Kerr and Carter Johnson debate this topic with moderator Tim Mechlinski


51st Annual International Affairs Symposium
Power: Balance, Order and Flux
April 9, 2013

State of Pandemonium: Assessing the Security Implications of Failed States

State of Pandemonium: Assessing the Security Implications of Failed States

Experts Pauline Baked and David Tucker debate this topic, with moderator Heather Smith-Cannoy. 

51st Annual International Affairs Symposium
Power: Balance, Order, and Flux
April 8, 2013

Tidal Shift: Promoting Military Retrenchment or Escalation

Tidal Shift: Promoting Military Retrenchment or Escalation

Experts Barney Frank and Walter Lohman debate this topic with moderator John Parry


51st Annual International Affairs Symposium
Power: Balance, Order and Flux
April 8, 2013

A Disturbance in the Force? Assessing the Scope of Cyber Threats

A Disturbance in the Force? Assessing the Scope of Cyber Threats

Experts Jan Nuetze and Tim Maurer debate this topic, with moderator Lydia Loren. 

51st Annual International Affairs Symposium
Power: Balance, Order, and Flux
April 11, 2012

2012 International Affairs Symposium

Global Rifts: Dynamic Relationships Among States, Societies and the World System
April 10, 2012

2012 International Affairs Symposium

Global Rifts: Dynamic Relationships Among States, Societies and the World System
April 9, 2012

2012 International Affairs Symposium

Global Rifts: Dynamic Relationships Among States, Societies and the World System
May 5, 2011

Department of International Affairs Graduate Reception

Department of International Affairs Graduate Reception