Monthly Archives: April 2013

New LAH 350 Critical Thinking on Contemporary Issues

The aim of this course is to teach critical thinking and analysis skills to students via an assessment of contemporary issues that in reality are all far more complicated than the narratives we usually adopt. The class will be modeled after the Harvard Business School model.  Each week there is a “case”/”topic” and then students need to be prepared to discuss this topic.  There will be much cold calling, but students can also volunteer views in reaction to other’s comments. We will start with business and economics as the less controversial topics: Federal Government spending and the implications on debts/deficits; federal reserve policy; social welfare policy; labor unions; environmental rules; hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas; charter schools; the legitimacy of Supreme Court rulings and the role of courts in setting public policy; gun control.  When students have some experience with the class structure, and feel more comfortable with sharing their views, we will move to more controversial topics: the death penalty; abortion rights; implications of the church/organized religion on society. Students may suggest topics.  There will be guest speakers, experts in their fields. There will be an emphasis on where and how to do research, with assignments focused on the current topic.

Visiting Professor, Andre Kovensky, is the founder and managing partner of Octavia Investments LLC, a global macro oriented investor in public and private securities and assets.Previously, he was the COO and CFO of PGM Holdings, a publicly traded company in Japan. He also spent three years leading corporate buyouts for Lone StarFunds in Tokyo, as well as 10 years as an investment banker, the majority of which with Citigroup based in the San Francisco Bay Area focused on technology companies. Andre received his MBA from UCLA’s Anderson School and a BA from the University of Texas at Austin where he majored in Humanities, focusing on economics and the American Revolution, with his senior thesis addressing how to resolve the savings and loan bank crisis of the late 1980s and prescriptions for preventing future bank crises.

Abstract Writing Workshop and Undergraduate Awards Information Session 4/18

The University Honors Center is would like to let you know about a special abstract writing workshop we are presenting with the Undergraduate Writing Center as part of Research Week and to promote The Undergraduate Awards. Below is a blurb suitable for your department’s student newsletter or social media sites, as well as information about the Awards:

Abstract Writing Workshop and Undergraduate Awards Information Session 4/18

The University Honors Center and the Undergraduate Writing center will be hosting an abstract-writing workshop for students who are interested in applying for The Undergraduate Awards.  There will also be a brief information session about the Awards. Interested students will have the opportunity to learn about best practices for presenting their original research or academic projects in an abstract. This important skill is valuable for all those considering pursing or submitting their works to all number awards, conferences and journals, in addition to The Undergraduate Awards.  The workshop will held as part of Research Week on Thursday, April 18 from 11am – 12pm in FAC 328.

The Undergraduate Awards recognize the world’s top undergraduate research projects from a variety of academic disciplines spanning the humanities, sciences, and visual arts. Open to final and penultimate year undergraduates, students are invited to submit research essays or special projects completed as part of their coursework that present fresh ideas and new arguments. Assessed by an international panel of academics, winning students will have their work published in the Undergraduate Awards Journal and be invited to attend the UA Summit—a 3 day conference in Dublin, Ireland.

Eligible papers must meet the following criteria:

  • Received a grade of A
  • Between 1750 – 5000 words (up to 20,000 for Math & Physical Sciences)
  • Accompanied by a 300 word abstract
  • Submitted by students in their penultimate or final year

Students looking for more information should visit www.utexas.edu/ugs/uhc/awards/undergraduate.

Deadline for submissions is May 24, 2013.

If you have any questions, please contact The University Honors Center at uhc@austin.utexas.edu

Free books and two opportunities for students to meet D.T. Max of the New Yorker magazine

D.T. Max is a staff writer for the New Yorker, where he has published a series of articles about the late David Foster Wallace. Though Wallace was only 46 when he died, he left an enormous legacy of literature: three novels (one published posthumously), three collections of short stories, and eight works of nonfiction, including dozens of essays.

Now, following extensive research in the David Foster Wallace archive at UT’s Harry Ransom Center, Max has published a fascinating biography of the author, entitled Every Love Story is a Ghost Story: A Life of David Foster Wallace. D.T. Max will discuss the late author, as well as his own research in writing the biography.

There will be two opportunities for honors students to meet D.T. Max. On Tuesday, April 16th, he’ll speak at 1:30 p.m. in the Moseley Room of the Harry Ransom Center, and at 7:30 p.m. in the Joynes Reading Room in Carothers (CRD 007). Both events are free. We have a small number of free books to give away to honors students, who may inquire at the front desk of the Joynes Reading Room. Call 512-471-5787 for more information.

Paid Writing Internships with Builder Homesite

Builder Homesite, Inc. (BHI), is seeking strong students who have a love of writing and a passion for the Internet. These are part-time paid ($10/hour – 25 hours per week) internships for the Summer here in Austin.  BHI runs NewHomesource.com, the leading online new home listing website in the U.S.  Interns will support BHI’s search engine optimization (SEO) efforts through SEO copywriting, copy editing, and various projects to enhance new home shopper user experience online.  In the process, Interns will be exposed to and learn foundational topics in SEO and online marketing.

For more information, view the full description:  http://www.builderhomesite.com/marketing-intern

To Apply: Send a resume and cover letter to: PTJobs@builderhomesite.com.

Nina’s Backpacks for Brazil

While studying in Brazil, I will have the chance to volunteer with Escola Aberta, an inner-city elementary school. Even though we’re not expected to help until we get to Salvador da Bahia, I wanted to do something special for the children here in Austin. So, I started a campaign to get 200 backpacks donated in 21 days.

The main source of information is on my blog:

http://www.thenewappetite.com/2013/04/08/backpacks-for-brazil-2013/

Here is the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/506094719450971/

People can help by donating spare backpacks and spreading the word by sharing the Facebook event, using the hashtag #BackpacksForBrazil on Twitter, and talking to their respective organizations about getting involved!

There is a drop-off box for backpacks in the LAH office by the front desk.

Venture Scholars Program with G51 Capital Management

The Venture Scholars program has room for 1-2 undergraduate students this summer (June 1 to Aug 1 at 30-40 hours each week is the expectation). It is a volunteer program and not paid. The student needs to be a self starter and highly interested in entrepreneurship, graphics, design, technology, user experience and/or business. We are a venture capital firm www.g51.com and work on leading edge Startups with a technology focus. Our expectations are that these undergraduates will deliver on their commitments to the program because the more they are involved the more they will learn about what makes a fundable and successful startup in today’s environment.

 

Contact:

Rudy Garza

rudy@g51.com

G51 Capital Management LLC

Managing Director

900 S. Capital of Texas Highway #151

Austin, TX 78746

Office: 512-929-5151 x 100

Thinking about pre-med?

Thinking about pre-med?

This workshop will include a brief interactive presentation with a question/answer session. Chinyere Ugwuzor, a senior and member of INSPIRE Women’s Leadership, will discuss her experience as a pre-med student and reflect on things she would have done differently. Chinyere will answer any questions concerning the medical school application process, interview tips, the MCAT, tips behind getting recommendations and questions about classes. The goal of this workshop is to make the pre-med experience fun and rewarding

Saturday, April 13, 2013

MEZ 2.118

2:00 – 3:30pm

Refreshments will be served.

For more information about the INSPIRE program visit:

http://www.utexas.edu/cola/centers/cwgs/Leadership/Apply-to-Inspire.php

The Tunis Exchange

The Exchange is a dynamic and intensive program for students, professionals, and post-professionals interested in broadening their understanding and expertise in issues related to the Middle East and North Africa. The four-week course (June 14-July 12) will immerse our participants in the language and politics of the MENA region, with a particular emphasis on direct engagement with leading academic, political, intellectual, and religious figures active across the spectrum in Tunisia. Application deadline is APRIL 20, 2013.

The Exchange is an effort by Mideastwire.com and its partners to promote direct engagement and understanding through a variety of city-focused conferences. Since 2008 we have hosted Exchange programs in multiple cities, including Istanbul, Damascus, and Beirut. This summer marks our third session in Tunis, and an expansion of The Exchange that includes language courses as well as an opening conference with the International Crisis Group (www.crisisgroup.org).

Opening weekend of The Tunis Exchange will begin with a two-day conference (June 15-16) led by more than a dozen country experts, analysts, and directors from the ICG. This opening conference may be attended separately or in conjunction with the month-long politics session. Additionally, we will be conducting formal and Tunisian dialect Arabic classes for all levels throughout The Exchange. For more information, including program details, costs, and media coverage of The Exchange, please visit www.thebeirutexchange.com. To request an application or address any questions, contact info@mideastwire.com. If you have any questions, please contact Katy Hamill at KatyHamill@gmail.com. See attached poster for more info.

$2500 Scholarship for Students Interning in Fort Worth this Summer

LAH has one $2500 scholarship for a student interning in the Fort Worth are (surrounding area like Grapevine and Midlothian are included) this summer.  If you are interning in the Fort Worth Area, please let Linda know by Friday, April 19th.  Send me a brief description of the internship, its duration, hours worked per week, and whether it is paid or unpaid.  We’ll select a scholarship recipient based on merit and need.