Are you interested in policy and political action? Civic engagement? Looking for the inside scoop on how to get a Political Internship? 

If the answer is yes, we invite you to attend one of our collaborative information Sessions to learn more about political opportunities on and off campus.  Representatives from The Archer Center, Project Vote Smart, and the Annette Strauss Institute will be on hand to share information about various opportunities.

Getting Your First “In” with a Political Internship

Thursday, October 2nd from 2:30-4:00pm

Tuesday, October 21st from 1:30-3pm

FAC 328

The Rise of Sectarianism in the Middle East in an Age of Western Hegemony: 1860-2014 with Professor Ussama Makdisi – Oct 2 at 5 PM

The LBJ School of Public Affairs will present “The Rise of Sectarianism in the Middle East in an Age of Western Hegemony: 1860-2014, ” a lecture with Rice University Professor of History Ussama Makdisi, the first holder of the Arab-American Educational Foundation Chair of Arab Studies at Rice University, on Oct. 2 at 5 PM at the LBJ School’s Bass Lecture Hall.

The conventional view of sectarianism in the Middle East is that it reflects age-old, endemic religious tensions, and that it reflects a problem in the region’s adaptation to a secular Western modernity. Sectarianism has often been depicted as a holdover of primordial religious divisions that make up the Middle East. In contrast, this talk suggests that the sectarian crisis in the Middle East has its roots in the nineteenth century Ottoman Empire that sought to adapt to European power and to introduce political equality, and in the post-Ottoman Middle East that has seen a series of Western powers, most recently the United States, dominate the region.

This event is free and open to the public, but an RSVP is required.

RSVP NOW

Come join the White Rose Society for an informational meeting on Tuesday, September 30th!

White Rose Society is a Holocaust Awareness and Genocide Prevention organization that wants to focus on both international as well as local human rights issues this year.

This event will take place at the Hillel (behind the Thai How Are You? restaurant), at 7 pm.

Bring yourself and your friends! Snacks are provided.

Come listen to Dr. Rick Hodes speak about his experience living and practicing in Africa for over 25 years. He is known all over the country for his work, don’t miss the amazing opportunity to hear his inspirational stories at UT!

FREE and Open to the Public
Dessert Reception to Follow 

Dr. Rick Hodes, a CNN hero and the subject of the HBO documentary, “Making the Crooked Straight”, is an American physician in Ethiopia and has also worked with refugees in Rwanda, Zaire, Tanzania, Somalia, and Albania. Currently, he is helping the impoverished and sick with heart disease, spinal deformities, and cancer at the Mother Teresa’s Catholic mission as well as throughout the country.

The event is presented by Liberal Arts Honors at The University of Texas at Austin, GlobeMed at The University of Texas at Austin, Jewish Community Association of Austin (JCAA), and Texas Hillel

More details on the attached flyer: rickhodes_email

Each semester, the Dialogues series offers a panel discussion – featuring speakers of varying points of view – that focuses on a particular free speech controversy. The topic this fall is Free Speech vis-a-vis National Security. The current battle over the “balance” to be struck between the ideals of free speech and concerns for our national security is of natural interest.

We are reaching out to you both with the idea that you might want to share the information with students and faculty.

What:    Free Speech vis-a-vis National Security, a panel discussion.

When:   Tuesday September 30^th, 2014 – from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Where: Peter O’Donnell Building (POB) – Avaya auditorium (Room 2.302) The POB Building is located on Speedway at 24^th Street.

Cost:      Free and open to the public.

Speakers: 

•  Heidi Kitrosser – Law Professor, University of Minnesota
•  Charlie Savage – New York Times, National Security Correspondent
• Sahar Aziz – Law Professor, Texas A&M University

Format:

The format is audience-friendly:  brief presentations by the three guests, followed by about 40 minutes of interview-style dialogue, then a half hour of questions from the floor.

Subject:

Panelists will consider such questions as: 

• “Security vs. liberty” – How real is the conflict?
• What should govern any “tradeoffs” and “balancing” between the two?
• Do times of crisis call for greater restrictions on expression? Or for fewer restrictions, so as to encourage robust debate?
• What is a national security crisis?
• What difference should national security make to individuals’ rights to personal privacy?
• How effective have restrictions on speech been for achieving security?

 If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact my assistant, Clair LaVaye. Clair’s email is: c.lavaye@utexas.edu.

More information about the Dialogues on Free Speech can be found at: http://www.utexas.edu/cola/orgs/bbtobjectivism/free-speech-dialogues/free-speech-and-national-security.php

We look forward to seeing you at the Free Speech Dialogue event.

Tara Smith

Professor, Philosophy Department

Free Speech… Let’s talk about it.

Come join the White Rose Society for an informational meeting on Tuesday, September 30th!

White Rose Society is a Holocaust Awareness and Genocide Prevention organization that wants to focus on both international as well as local human rights issues this year.

This event will take place at the Hillel (behind the Thai How Are You? restaurant), at 7 pm.

Bring yourself and your friends! Snacks are provided.

Diversity Abroad Showcase

Friday, Sept 26th, 4 – 5:30 pm, BUR 106

Presentations by diverse UT students on studying abroad around the world. Are you next?

You’re invited! RSVP here to hear multicultural students explore their time studying abroad through video, spoken word, and other visual presentations. Are you next?

All UT students welcome! Food will be served.