Nov. 1 Lecture by Ezra Vogel on Deng Xiaoping

Distinguished Asia scholar Ezra Vogel will give a public talk on Deng Xiaoping, the pragmatic revolutionary responsible for China’s dramatic modernization drive in the late twentieth century. Deng, who was behind the bloody 1989 crackdown in Tiananmen Square, will be revealed for his other, less well-known, leadership role—as the man who probably did more than any other to nurture China’s economic juggernaut and to open its doors to the West.

Vogel, professor emeritus at Harvard University, will present his lecture, Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China, Tuesday, Nov. 1, at 4–5 p.m. in Trimble Forum, Trimble Hall on the campus of University of Puget Sound. Admission is free and light refreshments will be served. The talk is hosted by the Asian Studies program

A well-travelled researcher of Japan, Korea, and China, Vogel has written many books that trace the political and social transformations in East Asia over more than five decades. His book Japan as Number One: Lessons for America (1979) became a top seller in Japan and was followed two decades later by Is Japan Still Number One? This spring saw the launch of The Park Chung Hee Era, a potent account of Korea’s rapid growth following the Korean War, co-authored by Vogel and 22 other scholars.

US- Mexico Relations Talk on 2/24

Walls and Borders: The Shifting U.S.-Mexico Relationship
and Transborder Communities
A talk by Lynn Stephen,
Distinguished Professor of Anthropology, University of Oregon

Wed, Feb 24th
4:30-5:30
Murray Board Room

Sponsored by: the Dean’s Office, Latin American Studies, Comparative Sociology, Politics and Government, the Hispanic Studies Program and CHispA.

Veseth to Lecture on Hairballs 10/29

IPE Professor Mike Veseth will talk about "The Creative Enterprise (or the Trouble with Hairballs)" at 7pm on Thursday Oct 29 in the Trimble Forum.

Veseth's talk is part of Mortar Board's "Last Lecture" series. Everyone is invited.

"The Illusions of a Beijing Consensus" Lecture on 9/3

Please join Asian Studies, P&G, and IPE for a lecture by Dr. Matt Ferchen, ’93 on Thursday , September 3rd, 2009, 4 – 5pm, Wyatt 101.

Matt's talk is titled "The Illusions of a Beijing Consensus: Contending Understandings of China’s State-Economy Relations."

Matt Ferchen received his PhD in Chinese politics at Cornell University and is currently an assistant professor at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.

Matt is often cited as one of the students who provoked the creation of the IPE program. He was essentially an IPE major before there was an IPE major (the first IPE graduation class was in 1996), who deftly combined studies of politics and economics with his interests in Latin America and Asia. We are pleased to welcome him back to campus.

New Islamic Law and Women's Rights on 4/23

Dean Gran, dean of the Kabul Shari'a Faculty (Kabul School of Islamic Law), will give a talk addressing a new law passed in Afghanistan that expands Shi'ite men’s rights over women. The controversial new law has been condemned by many in Afghanistan and internationally for severely restricting the rights of Shi'ite women and for turning the country toward a renewed totalitarianism of religious extremists.

The talk, “Islamic Law and Women’s Rights in Afghanistan,” will start at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, April 23, in Wyatt Hall, Room 109. The public is welcome to attend. Admission is complimentary.

The talk is sponsored by the Department of Religion; Office of Spirituality, Service, and Social Justice; Department of Politics and Government; and the Gender Studies program.

Politics of Reproductive Health on 5/12

The Politics of Reproductive Health among Bangladeshi Women
Research Presentation by Jessica Frank
Tuesday, May 12, 2:00-3:00 Shelmedine Room, Collins Library

Jessica Frank is an IPE senior and participant in the 2008-09 Pac Rim program. She will present research she conducted abroad on the challenges Bangladeshi women face in securing reproductive rights and services. Her talk will highlight the family planning programs promoted in rural Bangladesh by Pathfinder International, a non-governmental organization working in over 25 countries around the globe. Her research evaluated the reasons for Pathfinder’s success in addressing long-standing barriers to reproductive health.

Microfinance in China 4/23

Visiting Professor Geri Mason presents "Microfinance in China: Innovation for Facilitation of Rural Chinese Credit Markets" at 4pm in on Thursday April 23 in McIntyre Hall 107.

Prof. Mason's lecture is part of the Economics Department's Third Thursday series.

Free Trade, Food Security and Migration in Mexico

Witness for Peace Northwest invites you to join us for a discussion with...

Baldemar Mendoza Jiménez, Agro-ecologist with the Union of Organizations of the Sierra Juarez, Oaxaca

Monday April 6 at 4pm in Trimble Forum.

Take a deeper look at the effects of NAFTA, including resistance to genetically modified (GMO) corn, the impact of migration on sending communities, and the struggle for food security in Oaxaca’s indigenous communities.

This event is open to the public.

Professional interpretation (Spanish-English) provided.

A Busy Week in IPE! Money, Violence, Food and Sister Cities

It's going to be a busy week in IPE! Three interesting presentations. Mark you calendars.

Brown Bag on Person-to-Person Diplomacy
Dan Adler (IPE '09) will report on his research on person-to-person diplomacy through the Sister Cities program at the Brown Bag discussion on Wednesday 1/28 at 1pm in WSC 101. Dan will discuss both his own research findings and address the challenge of doing fieldwork abroad. Dan's research was made possible by a $4000 IPE Summer Research Grant. Click on the link to learn more about summer research grants. The deadline for IPE grant applications is Friday, March 6, 2009.

Political Violence and Foreign Investment
4pm on Wednesday, 1/28 in Mc309
ANDREEA MIHALACHE (Ph.D. Candidate, Pennsylvania State University) will discuss "Firm characteristics and perceptions of threat from political violence." This is the first of four lectures by candidates for the faculty position in IPE.

Agribusiness and the New Food Regime
4pm on Friday 1/30 in Mc307
EMELIE KAYE PEINE (Ph.D. Candidate, Cornell University, visiting professor Deep Springs College) will discuss "The Private State of Agribusiness: Brazilian Soy on the Frontier of a New Food Regime."

U.S. - Canada Environmental Issues 10/28

Steve Scher (Seattle Weekday, KUOW) and Vaughn Palmer (Vancouver Sun) will discuss US-Canada environmental issues in a program on "Framing Cross-Border Environmental Issues, U.S. and Canada," on Tuesday 10/28 at 7 p.m., Schneebeck Concert Hall.

The discussion will be entirely driven by questions submitted by students and comments from the audience. Full details here http://www.ups.edu/x30670.xml

Re-Engage: America and the World after Bush

On Thursday, October 16^th, international affairs journalist Helena Cobban will discuss her new book RE-ENGAGE! America and the World after Bush: An Informed Citizen’s Guide. The event will take place in Trimble Forum at 7:00 pm. Her visit is made possible with support from the Division of Student Affairs, Brad Dillman’s Residential Seminar, and the Andrew Mellon Foundation.

Cobban’s book addresses the “steps Americans should take and the ideas we need to think about as we try to mend our country’s crisis-riven relationship with the rest of the world.” Among the issues examined are global inequality, global human rights, climate change, and security challenges. RE-ENGAGE will be available for purchase and signing following the lecture.

Cobban is a veteran journalist who has written for the Christian Science Monitor, the Boston Review, and other periodicals. She is currently serving as a Friend in Washington for the Friends Committee on National Legislation and is publisher of justworldnews.org.

Professor Cohen to speak on IPE Intellectual History

Professor Benjamin J. Cohen, Lancaster Professor of International Political Economy at the University of California at Santa Barbara will be our visiting IPE Scholar on Wednesday, Sept 24, 2008.

Professor Cohen will be available to meet casually with interested students and faculty at 3pm in the WSC Diversions Cafe (Professor Pierre Ly will host this meeting).

He will give a major public presentation on the intellectual history of IPE at 5pm in the WSC Murray Boardroom. Everyone is invited to this event.

Professor Cohen is a major figure in the development of the discipline of IPE. His books and articles, starting with The Question of Imperialism (1973) through The Geography of Money (1998) and The Future of Money (2004) have probed fundamental issues in IPE, including especially the political economy of international finance.

His most recent book is titled International Political Economy: An Intellectual History (Princeton University Press, 2008).

The IPE Program is excited to welcome Professor Cohen back to the Puget Sound campus and we encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to meet him and hear his ideas about the past, present and future of IPE.

Save the Date: September 24 IPE Lecture

Professor Benjamin J. Cohen (University of California at Santa Barbara) will discuss the intellectual origins of IPE (and the controversies that surround the discipline) on Wednesday September 24 at 5pm in the WSC Murray Boardroom. This is a major event, so plan to attend the talk and the reception that will follow.

Professor Cohen is a well know IPE scholar. He created the famous "Unholy Trinity" analysis of the politics of exchange rate regimes and is the author of many books, including International Political Economy: An Intellectual History (Princeton University Press, 2008). Everyone is invited to this important event.

"Negotiating Muslim Matriarchy in Indonesia"

"Negotiating Muslim Matriarchy in Indonesia"

A lecture by Jeffery Hadler, Department of South and Southeast Asian Studies, University of California, Berkeley.

5PM, Tuesday, February 19, 2008: Wyatt 101

Prof. Hadler will examine the resilience of matrilineal Muslim society in western Indonesia. He will be speaking on his scholarship related to his forthcoming book Muslims and Matriarchate (Cornell University Press), which is an ethnographic history of a Sumatran community in the 19th and early 20th centuries that examines the resilience of matriarchal custom and matrilineal inheritance in the face of attacks from neo-Wahhabi jihad, Dutch colonialism, and "modernity".

This lecture is part of the Critical Introductions to Islam and Muslim Politics lecture series. The purpose of this lecture series is to provide undergraduate students and members of the Puget Sound campus community with accessible academic lectures on Islam and Muslim politics. The overall aim of the lecture series is to deepen students’ understanding of Islam and Muslim politics in a manner that moves beyond popular and media accounts of complex political and religious dynamics. Lectures will include 40-45 minutes for a presentation and a 30-minute question and answer period.

Refreshments will be served.

Social Capital, Chinese Currency, Public Health and Gender Impacts

IPE Events for the week of February 4-8, 2008.

Iva Bozovic, University of Southern California, will discuss "The Impact of Social Capital on Business Performance" at 5pm on Monday, February 4 in Mc309. Everyone is invited to attend. Refreshments, of course.

Tristan Orford (IPE '08) will discuss "Trade Troubles, Currency Confusion: A Political Economy Approach to the Renminbi Revaluation Debate." Tristan will analyze interests and strategies in U.S. - China negotiations regarding China's currency. Tuesday, February 5 at 4pm in Wyatt 109.

IPE alumna Abby Ormsbee Issacson, director of REACH, will discuss her work with AIDS children in Tacoma and her plans for a career in international public health on Wednesday, February 6 at Noon in the WSC Murray Boardroom. This event is part of the weekly Wednesday Brown Bag discussion series sponsored by the IPE Program.

Tonia Warnecke, University of Notre Dame, will discuss "Liberalization, Macroeconomic Policy and Gender" at 5pm on Thursday, February 7 in Mc309. Everyone is invited to attend. Refreshments, of course.

WTO Stalemate, Currency Dilemmas and a Free Lunch

IPE is sponsoring several interesting events next week.

Professor Dave Balaam will discuss "Agricultural Trade Policy & the World Trade Organization Stalemate: Is the WTO History?" at Noon on Wednesday January 30 in the WSC Murray Boardroom. This is the first in the new IPE Brown Bag Lunch discussion series, scheduled for Noon on Wednesdays. Bring your interest and your lunch -- IPE will provide speakers, beverages and a dessert.

Kelly Wurtz, a candidate for the new IPE professor position, will discuss his research at 5pm on Wednesday, January 30 in McIntyre 309. The topic is "Depositing Credibility: Institutions, Government Credibility and Foreign Currency Deposits." Everyone is encouraged to attend to meet Kelly and hear about his work.

Free Lunch Opportunity: We would like a few IPE students to have lunch with Kelly at Noon on Thursday, January 31. If you are interested, please sign up on Professor Veseth's office door (Mc213M) as soon as possible.

Coming Attractions: Upcoming IPE Events

Welcome back from winter break! Herewith some useful information about what's ahead in the IPE Program in the first weeks of the Spring Semester.

Brown Bag Discussion Series. Jessica Bruce is organizing a weekly series of lectures and discussions for IPE students and others who are interested. The meetings are scheduled for Wednesdays from Noon - 1-p.m. in the WSC Murray Boardroom. The IPE program will provide beverages and a dessert -- you bring your lunch and your interest in discussing important topics. The first meeting will be on Wednesday January 30 when Professor Dave Balaam will present his analysis of the breakdown of the Doha Round of WTO trade talks.

Summer Research Grant. The deadline for applications for the IPE program's $4000 summer research fellowship is Friday, March 7. Click here to read all about this opportunity and watch this space for information about Lan Nguyen's upcoming presentation of her 2007 summer research project.

IPE Professor Candidates. The IPE program is in the process of hiring a new professor to start next fall and we need your help. Watch this space for information about presentations by our candidates. This is a chance to attend interesting lectures, meet the candidates and have input into the hiring process.

Geography Quiz. Finally, just for fun, you should take the world geography quiz at http://www.travelpod.com/traveler-iq?9a62=28b7 . Warning: the quiz can be somewhat addictive. There are twelve levels and at the end you will be given your geography IQ score. Report your high scores to ipe@ups.edu. If there is a good deal of interest in this fun quiz perhaps we will organize a play off contest later in the spring with the student champion taking on Professor Kontogeorgopoulos, the undisputed geography king.

Best wishes to everyone for a great spring semester, especially those of you who are studying abroad (please send photos and updates for the blog to ipe@ups.edu) and to seniors who are writing their senior theses.

Between Private Piety and Radical Politics: Finding Islam in Central Asia.

Anders Conway, an IPE ’06 graduate, spent last year traveling and working in Central Asia. He has returned to the Pacific Northwest to do graduate work at the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington and to speak to us about what he has learned.

Anders will talk at 6pm on Wednesday, November 7 in Mc309. The title of his talk is “Between Private Piety and Radical Politics: Finding Islam in Central Asia.”

Anders writes, “I am thinking that I will overview the two common lines of discourse; one is that militant Islam is a growing looming and almost immediate threat in the region, the other that Islam is moderate and stable. Then I will talk about my experience and highlight some ideas about how each camp has a point but that the reality lies somewhere in between.”

This is a great opportunity to learn about a part of the world that is unfamiliar to most of us from an IPE graduate who has experienced these issues both in the field and now through his graduate work.

Suggested Reading: A SECULAR ISLAM: NATION, STATE, AND RELIGION IN UZBEKISTAN by Adeeb Khalid, International Journal of Middle East Studies (2003), 35: 573-598 Cambridge University Press.

Dessert and beverages will be provided.

Anders Conway to Speak on Central Asia November 7

Anders Conway (IPE '06) spent the last year traveling and working Central Asia. We've invited him to come to campus to tell us about his experiences in this interesting and important part of the world. Everyone is invited to hear Anders' story and learn about Central Asia. Refreshments will be provided.
Wednesday, November 7 at 6pm in Mc309.
Check out Anders' travel blog at wandersponders.blogspot.com.

Seattle Lectures: Cool It and Supercapitalism

The Town Hall Seattle lecture series (click on www.townhallseattle.org for details) is offering an exciting program of speakers this year at bargain prices -- as low as $5 per person. IPE students might be interested in two speakers who are coming to Seattle this week:

Bjorn Lomborg: 'Cool It.'

Wednesday, September 19, 2007 | 7:30pm Location: Downstairs at Town Hall, enter on Seneca Street. Bjorn Lomborg is an economist and author of The Skeptical Environmentalist. Named one of the most influential people in the world by Time Magazine in 2004, Lomborg argues in his new book, Cool It, that many of the elaborate and very expensive actions now being considered to stop global warming are often based on emotional rather than scientific assumptions and may very will have little impact of the world’s temperature for hundreds of years. He believes that we should first focus resources on more immediate concerns, such as fighting malaria and HIV/AIDS and maintaining a safe fresh water supply—problems which can be addressed at a fraction of the cost and save millions of lives in our lifetime. Presented by Town Hall Center for Civic Life with University Book Store. Robert Reich 'Supercapitalism' Thursday, September 20, 2007 | 7:30pm Location: Downstairs at Town Hall, enter on Seneca Street. Former Secretary of Labor under President Bill Clinton, Robert Reich is a best-selling author, commentator, and professor of public policy. Reich’s new book, Supercapitalism: The Transformation of Business, Democracy, and Everyday Life, is an examination of how mid-twentieth-century capitalism has become super-charged, resulting in both a larger economic pie and widening inequalities of income and wealth. He shows how the tools traditionally used to temper America’s societal problems—fair taxation, well-funded public education, and trade unions—have withered. Reich argues that business and politics must be kept distinct and calls for an end to the legal fiction that corporations are citizens or can be “socially responsible” until laws define social needs. Presented by Town Hall Center for Civic Life with University Book Store.