College sponsors ‘Dialogue for Understanding’ series
These “College Conversations in Difficult Times” will promote broader understanding of events in the Middle East.
The College of Arts and Sciences is announcing a series of events this spring hosted by several units across the College that seek to help our community — students, faculty and staff — broaden our understanding of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and offer opportunities for dialogue to explore the many complex and interwoven issues involved.
“Dialogue for Understanding: College Conversations in Difficult Times” will tap our faculty’s deep expertise to provide context and insight on relevant topics such as antisemitism, Islamophobia, genocide, foreign policy and free speech. Importantly, the events in the series will also allow members of our community to participate in rich yet difficult conversations that foreground exchange, reflection and understanding across difference and among community.
Beyond the February panel discussion sponsored by the Program for Public Discourse, specifics for each event are still under development. The “Dialogue for Understanding” page will be updated as dates, speakers and other details become available. Please note that our departments, centers and institutes will be hosting additional events beyond these.
- Feb. 21, “The Politics of Israel and Palestine,” hosted by the Program for Public Discourse. Political science faculty members Jeff Spinner-Halev and Navin Bapat discuss the politics conflict between Israel and Palestine as part of the Abbey Speaker Series.
- Early March, “Faculty Community Conversation on Israel/Palestine,” hosted by the religious studies department.
- Late March/early April, “Historical Insights on Key Concepts in the Competing Narratives on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict,” hosted by the history department.
- Late March/early April,“Free Speech and Universities: What’s the Legal Perspective?” hosted by the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office. The speaker will be Mary-Rose Papandrea, the Samuel Ashe Distinguished Professor of Constitutional Law, UNC School of Law.
- April 15-19, “Community Photovoice: Student Reflections on Campus Climate and the Middle East,” hosted by the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office. This public exhibit will feature work by undergraduate students participating in the spring project.
