You live near a major university and a community college. There are smart people that come here every week to talk to the general public about interesting topics. Perhaps you were not aware of this fact, or were overwhelmed by the sheer number of opportunities for possible enlightenment. If that’s the case, Smile Politely understands and is here to help. Here are several events going on in town this week. Check out one or more of them if you have time.
If you have a community event, speaker, or film event that you’d like to see featured on Listen Up!, send the event information to joelgillespie [at] smilepolitely [dot] com by Friday the week prior to the event. Listen Up! runs on Mondays.
WHAT: Comparative Politics Workshop — “The Logic of Electoral Manipulation,” by Professor Alberto Simpser (University of Chicago)
WHEN: Monday, March 2 at 4 p.m.
WHERE: Swann Conference Room, 2001 S. First St.
Simpser has written many papers on election monitoring and manipulation.
WHAT: “Khaled Abu Toameh, Israeli-Arab Journalist“
WHEN: Monday, March 2 at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Allen Hall, 1005 W. Gregory Dr.
From the calendar announcement: “Khaled Abu Toameh is an award-winning Israeli-Arab journalist who has reported on the West Bank and Gaza Strip for more than 20 years. He will be speaking on the current situation in the Middle East.”
WHAT: “A New Green Revolution? Meeting Global Food and Energy Demands,” 2009 Joint Area Centers Symposium
WHEN: Wednesday to Friday, March 4–6, 2009
WHERE: I-Hotel and Conference Center, 1900 S. First St.
There are dozens of presentations on varied topics, featuring factulty from UIUC and around the world, as well as researchers from many fields. Check out the schedule.
WHAT: Extension Workshop: “European Perspectives on Genetically Modified Foods”
WHEN: Wednesday, March 4 at noon
WHERE: 801 N. Country Fair Dr.
Speaking will be Bernd van der Meulen, professor and head of law and governance at Wageningen University and director of the European Institute for Food Law, The Netherlands.
WHAT: “Safety, Soldier, Scapegoat: The Battle to Interpret the Death of Pat Tillman,” Jonathan Ebel, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, UIUC
WHEN: Thursday, March 5 at noon
WHERE: 331 Armory Building, 505 East Armory Ave.
I haven’t kept track of the Tillman saga for the last couple of years, but this article by Sports Illustrated‘s Gary Smith is the best thing I’ve read about it.
WHAT: “Juan Cole Discusses Iraq: Withdrawal from Iraq and the Future of American Security“
WHEN: Sunday, March 8 at 2 p.m.
WHERE: Urbana Civic Center, 108 E. Water St.
Cole is the Richard P. Mitchell Collegiate Professor of History at the University of Michigan and a commentator on Middle Eastern affairs.