Past Programs

2004-2007:  “Gender, Race and Militarization,” Women and Gender Studies Program and the Center for the Study of Women in Society 

This program promotes research, teaching and dialogue to interrogate 1) the consequences of an increasingly militarized conception of security, with a particular focus on the gendered and racialized effects of militarization, and 2) alternative paradigms of security that emphasize peacemaking and human rights. Our goal is to create a sustained, highly visible and inclusive dialogue about these issues by bringing prominent speakers to campus; offering new and augmenting existing courses on these themes; and strengthening links between scholars whose courses do (or could) address these issues with scholars from interdisciplinary programs, including Peace, International, Women's and Gender, Ethnic, and Religious Studies. 

2004-2006:  “Global (Dis) Integrations: Identity Politics and Cultural Transformations in an Interconnected World,” International Studies Program 

This program is a multi-year initiative to explore how, when and why, globalization (in its various forms) sometimes induces mistrust, intolerance and conflict across identity groups (disintegration), while sometimes contributing to mutual understanding, cooperation and interchange across cultural divides (integration).  The project will include a speakers series, public forum, workshop, possible post-doctoral fellowship, and international conference.  

2004-05:  “Struggling For God," Religious Studies Department

(Including “Militant Word and Martial Metaphor” and "From Holy War to Holy Peace") This program is a scholarly exploration of the idea of conflict within religious culture.  With emphasis upon the religious traditions of the Abrahamic family (i.e., Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), this "rolling" or extended symposium seeks to gather scholars in critical areas of all three traditions to share their studied perspectives on the phenomena of militant language and martial metaphor within the larger context of the religious visions of justice and peace.  In this sharing of scholarly expertise and real dialogue, we hope to create an atmosphere of thoughtful conversation and increased appreciation of these interrelated communities, histories, and textual traditions.

2002-2004: “Human Rights for All,” School of Law

The project involves a two-year program of classes, seminars and lectures presented by Dr. Svitlana Kravchenko, of the Ukraine, based on her research, teaching and other work. In addition, she is arranging a series of short-term visits by visiting scholars.

2000-2002: “Waging Peace through Music,” School of Music

A program of courses and events that ended with a four-day festival, “Waging Peace through Music,” as a celebration of peace. This program was directed by Robert Kyr, in the School of Music, with the cooperation of the UO School of Music and the Bach Festival.

1998: “Suffering and Violence,” Department of Anthropology

A program that involved a major academic conference and a series of courses on the topics of violence and peacemaking.

1997: “The Israeli-Palestinian Relationship,” Robert D. Clark Honors College

A yearlong program devoted to the exploration of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, involving simulations, lectures, and other opportunities for students to learn.

1996: “The Ethics After the Holocaust,” Department of Philosophy

This produced a 1996 University of Oregon international conference exploring the nature of good and evil; the possibilities of hope and compassion; and humanity’s obligation to fight indifference, hatred and oppression.