Provost's Conversations on
Diversity, Democracy, and Higher Education

The Provost’s Conversations on Diversity, Democracy, and Higher Education were established in 2003 to promote University-wide awareness of and dialogue on our nation’s most important issues.  Based on the premise of shared learning, the Provost’s Conversations bring prominent scholars, writers, and activists from across the country -- and around the globe -- to our campus to address topics related to various issues of diversity, democracy, and higher education.  The lecture series also offers our own talented scholars an important campus platform from which to share their research, knowledge, and vision.

Our recently approved Strategic Plan calls for the University “to promote opportunities across campus to address issues of different ethnic and cultural groups, to celebrate and promote a community based on inclusiveness and respect for differences, and to encourage close interaction among individuals on campus with varying backgrounds, experiences, interests, and perspectives.”  With more than fifty programs since its inception, the Provost’s Conversations series has proven to be an effective vehicle for meeting these goals.  This diverse learning milieu puts into practice one of the best attributes of a University of Maryland education.  

The theme for this year’s lecture series is “pushing boundaries” as it appropriately names our continued goal to deliver critical and timely messages to the University of Maryland community.

Please join us this semester as we launch another year of the Provost’s Conversations on Diversity, Democracy, and Higher Education!

Sincerely,

Nariman Farvardin

Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

                             

                                      Fall 2009 Calendar

                                      Click here to see the list of our previous Conversations


“Push: Literacy, Women and
African American Literature”

Sapphire,
acclaimed Author

Tuesday, September 29
12:00–1:30 p.m.
   Multipurpose Room,
Nyumburu Cultural Center

Buffet lunch provided


With the film adaptation of Push, her 1996 award-winning novel, set to be released in movie theaters this November (under the title “Precious”), author and poet Sapphire comes to our campus to discuss literacy, literature, and gender in an African American context.

There is no podcast available for this event .

Please download the annotated reading list here, prepared by Otis and Marie Chadley, UM Libraries.

This event is co-sponsored by the African American Studies Department and the American Studies Department.


“Obsession, Culture, and
Disability: How OCD Can Help Us Understand Disability Studies in a Biocultural Context”

Lennard Davis,
Distinguished Professor and Director of Project Biocultures,
University of Illinois at Chicago

Thursday, October 15
12:00–1:30 p.m.
Prince George's Room,
 Stamp Student Union

Buffet lunch provided
Davis will discuss how we can understand the social, cultural, political, and historical roots of a psychological disorder. If there is a biocultural context to obsessivecompulsive disorder, how does that help us rethink the medical and social models proposed by disability studies?

This event is co-sponsored by the President’s Commission on Disability Issues.

Please download the podcast here.
Please download the annotated reading list here, prepared by Otis and Marie Chadley, UM Libraries.

“Hate Crimes: Moving from
Discrimination to Tolerance”

Panel Discussion

Monday, October 26
12:00–2:00 p.m.
Atrium,
Stamp Student Union

Buffet lunch provided
Speakers:
Allison Bennett, Coordinator of the Sexual Assault Response and Prevention Program, University of Maryland

Luke Jensen, Director of the Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equity, University of Maryland

Brian Levin, Director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernadino

Steven Selden, Professor in the Education Policy Studies Department in the College of Education, University of Maryland

Ronald Zeigler, Director of the Nyumburu Cultural Center, University of Maryland

This panel discussion will explore both the history and the recent resurgence of hate crimes locally, nationally, and internationally. This conversation hopes to answer the questions of “Why do we hate?” and “How does hate become a crime?” This esteemed panel seeks to shed light on an increasingly important issue facing our nation, and will consider how the University community can better protect against and respond to hate crimes on campus and at large.

There is no podcast available for this event..
Please download the annotated reading list here, prepared by Otis and Marie Chadley, UM Libraries.

“The Challenge of Pluralism:
Native Nations and U.S. Justice”

Rebecca Tsosie,
Professor of Law,
Arizona State University

Monday, November 9
12:00-1:30 pm
Jiménez Room,
Stamp Student Union

Buffet lunch provided
Please note that the location for this event has been changed.

Tsosie will discuss the history and contemporary expression of native sovereignty and the way that race and nationality intersect with that political status. On a global scale, this discussion has relevance to race relations within the United States, as well as a context for pluralism that can enrich international relations.

This event is co-sponsored by the American Indian Student Union, the American Studies Department, the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Education and the Stamp- Multicultural Involvement and Community Advocacy Office.

Please download the podcast here.
Please download the annotated reading list here, prepared by Otis and Marie Chadley, UM Libraries.



Additional information will be posted as it becomes available. We look forward to seeing you at our Provost's Conversations!

To RSVP please email  Anita Baksh abaksh@umd.edu.
For more information on the our events or speakers, please email Anita at the address above, call her (59332) or call the Office of the Associate Provost for Equity and Diversity (56810).

With the exception of October 26, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) will host a follow-up discussion the day after each Conversation in the ODI training room, 0106 Shriver Lab, East Wing, noon to 1:30 p.m.  For a refresher, download a podcast of the Conversation from above. For more information about the follow-up discussions, contact Mark Brimhall-Vargas at brimhall@umd.edu.