Northern Illinois University
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and Department of History
announce a one day “New Ideas” conference
New Ideas in History:
CONFLICT, VIOLENCE, & THE ROAD BACK TO PEACE
Holmes Student Center, DeKalb, Illinois
Monday, October 6, 2008
8:00 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.
Keynote Speaker
“The Cyprus Problem”
The Honorable Andreas Kakouris
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cyprus to the United States
Conference Faculty
Abu Bakarr Bah, Ph.D., New School for Social Research
Theresa Bartsch, 5th Grade Teacher, Johnson Elementary School
J. D. Bowers, Ph.D., Indiana University
Todd Clement, Jr. High Social Studies Teacher, Creekside Middle School
Marc Falkoff, J.D., Columbia Law School
Stuart Hill, Ph.D., University of Montana
Jeanne Jakubowski, M.A., Loyola University
Eric Jones, Ph.D., University of California at Berkeley
Sanskruti Patel, High School History Teacher, Hinsdale Central High School
Brian Sandberg, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Sharon Sytsma, Ph.D., Loyola University
War is a cowardly escape from the problems of peace. – Thomas Mann, Unk.
I like to believe that people in the long run are going to do more to promote peace than our governments. Indeed, I think that people want peace so much that one of these days governments had better get out of the way and let them have it. – Dwight D. Eisenhower, 13 August 1959
War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good. We will not learn how to live together in peace by killing each other's children. – Jimmy Carter, 10 December 2002
Join us at this fall’s New Ideas in History conference and gain a better understanding of how the world can move from conflict and violence to compromise and peace. Learn from NIU experts about theories of war and peace in the 21st century.
Whether you are a first-time New Ideas participant or a returning colleague, this professional development day will provide you, a key teacher in an Illinois middle school, high school, or community college, with opportunities to explore new subjects, refresh your teaching resources, and collaborate with others.
TENTATIVE PROGRAM
7:30-8:15 a.m. Check In and Registration
8:15-8:45 a.m. Welcome
Katherine Wright, PhD., Director, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences External Programming
Christopher McCord, Ph.D., Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Beatrix Hoffman, Ph.D., Chair, Department of History
9:00-9:50 a.m.
1A “Rethinking the Supreme Court’s Role in the War on Terror.” Marc Falkoff, J.D., Assistant Professor, College of Law
or
1B “East Timor and Indonesia.” Eric Jones, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of History
10:00-10:50 a.m.
2A “Hotel Rwanda: Teaching the Movie That Teaches the History of Genocide in Rwanda.” Jeanne Jakubowski, M.A., Instructor, Department of English. Universal Declaration of Human Rights
In this session we will examine the issues raised by the film, Hotel Rwanda, and the book, We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families: Stories from Rwanda, by Philip Gourevitch.
or
2B “The Political Economy of War and Peace Mediation in West Africa.” Abu Bakarr Bah, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology
This presentation will examine some of the domestic and international political and economic factors in the civil wars in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Cote d’Ivoire. It will also address the political and economic nature of the peace processes.
11:00 a.m.-11:50 a.m.
3A “Theories and Historical Considerations of Religious Violence.” Brian Sandberg, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of History
or
3B “NIU’s Genocide and Human Rights Institute (GHRI): A Panel Discussion.” Panel Chair: J.D. Bowers, Ph.D., GHRI Director, Director of Secondary Teacher Certification for History and Social Sciences, and Associate Professor. Panel Participants: 2008 GHRI Theresa Bartsch, Johnson Elementary School (Winnebago), Todd Clement, Creekside Middle School (Woodstock),and Sanskruti Patel, Hinsdale Central High School. Genocide Institute Lesson Plans. Genocide Unit Project.
12:00-12:45 p.m.
Networking lunch with conference faculty
1:00 – 1:50 p.m.
Keynote Speaker
“The Cyprus Problem.” The Honorable Andreas Kakouris, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cyprus to the United States
2:00-2:50 p.m.
4A “Bioterrorism: A Microbiologist’s Perspective.” Stuart Hill, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences
The yearly fear of a potential pandemic bird flu epidemic has highlighted society's vulnerability to biological agents. As recent scientific advances can be harnessed to enhance the potency of many bioterror reagents, is society doomed or does science have the capability to develop novel therapeutic strategies to counter the threat?
or
4B “Biomedical Ethics.” Sharon Sytsma, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy
What teachers have said about past “New Ideas” programs:
“Each seminar was fast-paced and filled with practical exercises/exercises for the high school classroom.”
-Ronald Neurauter, Westmont High School, Westmont
“Overall, this was a wonderful experience. The presenters were informative, energetic and refreshing.”
-Susan Fassler, Unity High School, Tolono
“Finally a workshop right up my alley.” -Ellain Gallis, Waukegan High School, Waukegan
“Lively speakers. I thought I knew a lot . . . wow was I surprised. I’m excited to return to my classrooms.”
-E. Marie Schaver, Belvidere High School, Belvidere
Why Attend?
This program gives you an opportunity to meet with colleagues from other educational institutions, to learn about successful teaching projects, and to hear about the latest research findings on global questions of war and peace from thought-provoking Northern Illinois University scholars and peer teachers.
You will:
1. Gain information and perspectives about conflict, violence, compromise, and peace in the 21st century.
2. Experience effective teaching methods that help students learn.
3. Receive materials from the faculty to use as a ready reference when you return to your school.
4. Network with other attendees as you explore new ideas and expand your professional horizons.
Plus . . . Recertification – CPDUs: You will receive a report documenting 6 Continuing Professional Development Units for your participation. Northern Illinois University is an approved provider of professional development activities. This documentation will assist you in your individual recertification plans.
General Information: Enrollments are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. If reservations exceed conference limits, a waiting list will be established. Late registrations will be accepted if space is available. Registration confirmed by payment. If the conference must be canceled due to unforeseen circumstances, you will receive a full refund. All facilities are accessible to the handicapped.
Location: Holmes Student Center, located on campus. NIU is in DeKalb, 65 miles west of Chicago (one mile north of I-88); 45 miles southeast of Rockford. A map is sent with your confirmation.
Parking: A visitor's parking lot ($5.00) is located close to the Holmes Student Center on Carroll Avenue. A campus map is sent with your confirmation plus a FREE parking pass (upon request).
Four Easy Ways to Register:
1. PHONE 1-800-345-9472 or (815) 753-0277 to register with a credit card. TTY/TYY callers, phone (815) 753-2000 and ask to be
connected with “Outreach.”
2. FAX your form to (815) 753-6900 to register with a credit card.
3. MAIL your completed registration form with check to:
University Outreach Services, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois 60115-2860
4. ONLINE at Register Online