LAS
International Programs Newsletters
LAS
International On-line
Vol. 2, No. 12
March 2, 2004
Affirming a Commitment to Global Learning
www.las.iastate.edu/students/international/
LAS International On-Line is the bi-monthly on-line
publication of the International Programs of the College of Liberal Arts
and Sciences. LAS International is part of LAS' on-going efforts to coordinate
all aspects of international activities within the College including international
studies, study abroad, exchange agreements, research and outreach.
Awards
DISTINGUISHED INTERNATIONAL SERVICE – Steffen Schmidt,
university professor of political science, has been named the recipient
of the 2004 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Award of Distinguished
International Service.
"Steffen has played an important role in introducing learners of
all ages to the exciting nature of politics and global affairs,"
said James McCormick, professor and chair of the Department of Political
Science.
In the Department of Political Science, Schmidt has had primary responsibility
for teaching the required seminars for the international relations majors
for the past several years.
His most recent work is coastal policy. He has written numerous articles
in this area. He is also an associate of the Oceanographic Center at Nova
University in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and the Latin American Institute,
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
Schmidt was recognized at Monday’s (March 1) second annual LAS International
Programs Dinner. http://www.las.iastate.edu/newnews/schmidtinternational.shtml
Research
EASING HUNGER AND POVERTY – When discussions began for
what has evolved into the Sustainable Rural Livelihoods (SRL) Program
at Iowa State, Robert Mazur, professor of sociology, wasn't initially
involved. But when a more diverse, experienced group was needed to develop
the program, Mazur, based on his extensive work in developing countries,
particularly in Africa, was brought into the discussions.
Now Mazur is serving as the interim director of the interdisciplinary
management team. SRL is currently focusing in developing partnerships
through helping improve agricultural and entrepreneurial initiatives in
impoverished rural communities in the developing world. The first discussions
are taking place in Uganda.
"Uganda has the right mix of forward-looking colleagues and institutions
that are putting into practice the principles that our program has and
are working toward the same set of goals," Mazur said. "We felt
it was a good place to start and will fill a gap in the University's increasingly
important international programs."
To find out more about Mazur's role in Sustainable Rural Livelihoods go
on-line at http://www.las.iastate.edu/newnews/mazur0308.shtml
LITERARY HERITAGE – Most people would have given up when
faced with the response that Dawn Stinchcomb got when she started her
research in the Dominican Republic. But quitting was never on the assistant
professor of foreign languages and literatures' agenda.
"I'm not a quitter," she said. "Anger is one of my best
emotions. When I get angry I do my best work. I had to go back and finish
the study for no other reason than I believe that Blas Jimenez is a great
writer and that it was important to pull his and the voices of the others
like his within the margins."
Jimenez is a Dominican Republic poet whose writings proudly affirms his
black identity. Stinchcomb's efforts to research his and writers of African
descent in that country has led to her book, The Development of Literary
Blackness in the Dominican Republic.
To learn more about Dawn Stinchcomb's trials and tribulations go on-line
at http://www.las.iastate.edu/newnews/stinchcomb0308.shtml
Events
Iowa State University now has a license for faculty, staff and student
travel to Cuba, opening up possibilities for academic programs and research
in that country. Learn more about how you can take advantage of these
new opportunities at a Brown Bag meeting, Tuesday, March 2, at noon in
8 Curtiss Hall. For more information or questions, contact Shelley Taylor,
sztaylor@iastate.edu.
