Teacup Discussion: Capital Punishment and the U.S.

Led by: Professor Mark Miller; Professor of Political Science & Director of Law and Society Program
Thursday, December 1, 2011; 4-5pm
Persky Conference Room, University Center

There are currently more than 3,000 prisoners on Death Row in the United States. Should Capital Punishment be legal? Who makes that decision, and how?

The Office of Intercultural Affairs invited Clark Professor Mark Miller to lead a discussion on Capital Punishment in the United States, addressing these questions and more! Professor Miller, a Professor in the Political Science Department, and Director of the Clark Law and Society Program, provided insight to this discussion on a topic which is widely contested in the U.S.

Telling Her Story: PROFESSOR YUKO AOYAMA

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Many Clark students may recognize her as the flamenco dancer from International Gala, while some may have had her as a professor in a class. Professor Yuko Aoyama from Clark’s Geography department talked about how she became interested in Flamenco dance, how she went from being a student like us to doing research on global markets, and how she decided that this area of Geography was her passion.

Professor Aoyama charmed her audience with a very honest and open introduction, in which she emphasized three points: that college, regardless of common assumptions, may not be the best time of your life, because you work so hard there is usually little time to enjoy yourself; that youth is overrated; and that there is no such things as a right choice, but that you need to make your choices right for yourself. She touched upon the issues all of us think about, but are too shy to speak of: stress, uncertainty, and not knowing if we are on the right path. It was extremely comforting to know that reaching goals and fulfilling objectives is in fact a struggle, and we should never believe people who say otherwise. All of professor Aoyama’s audience were very touched by her honesty and openness, which made this event one of the most successful and intriguing discussions hosted by OIA this year.

"THE CARRIER" - documentary screening

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

The Office of Intercultural Affairs joined ONE Campus Challenge and the Dean of Students Office to co-sponsor a screening of “The Carrier,” a Tribeca Film Festival documentary by Maggie Betts, for World Aids Week. This truly moving documentary was followed by a discussion with Dr. Ellen Foley, and Dr. Patrick Derr, as well as Clark student Champo Mapulanga.

SOULPANCAKE

Led by: Maryam Esmaeili
Tuesday, November 29, 2011

OIA student programmer Maryam Esmaeili realized that the best discussion happens when people have good food and good company. Students came together and ate pancakes (the ultimate comfort food) and discussed life's big questions...

•    Do we need religion?
•    How do thoughts affect reality?
•    How do you reconcile differences between reason and faith?
•    What is the interplay between fate and free will?
•    How do you define spirituality?

Inspired by SoulPancake.

DREAM ACT - Teacup Discussion

Led by: Michael Masters
Wednesday, November 16, 2011

DREAM Act legislation:
The purpose of the Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act, also called the DREAM Act, is to help those individuals who meet certain requirements, have an opportunity to enlist in the military or go to college and have a path to citizenship which they otherwise would not have without this legislation. Supporters of the DREAM Act believe it is vital not only to the people who would benefit from it, but also the United States as a whole. It would give an opportunity to undocumented immigrant students who have been living in the U.S. since they were young, a chance to contribute back to the country that has given so much to them and a chance to utilize their hard earned education and talents. (source)

Michael Masters, a Clark University undergraduate students and a great supporter of the DREAM Act legislation, explained the issues raised by the bill and led a discussion on why (or why not) the bill should be legislated, possible implications of the DREAM Act, and other issues related to US immigration policies. 

Telling Her Story: ABIR BUKHATWA

Friday, November 4, 2011

Abir Bukhatwa, a Ph.D. student in Clark’s Economics department, sat down with a group of students, faculty, and staff to talk about her choice to pursue a doctorate degree in the United States and her experience leaving her home in Libya.

NOCHE LATINA

Friday, October 21, 2011
The Grind, 6pm-8pm

Our Office celebrates Latino Heritage Month by presenting a variety show of dances and musical performances prepared by Clark students and community members. This year we enjoyed dance presentations by the Salsa club , professor Yuko Aoyama, and Worcester's Ritmos Academy, poetry readings, and a musical performance by Inca Son. Special thanks to Latin American Students Association, Spanish language program, Dean of Students office, and Study Abroad for joining us in this celebration!