Dr. Hui-Hua James Liu,"China-US Relations: A View from a Chinese Scholar"
In his lecture, Dr. Liu discussed the Chinese perspective of China- US relations from the Cold War on. He highlighted political and cultural differences between the two nations and how these differences affect the way each side views the fragile relationship.
Dr. James Liu has been an Affiliated Associate in Research at the Harvard Fairbank Center for China Research since 2002. His work is focused on globalization and the rise of China. Before coming to Harvard, Dr. Liu was an Associate Professor at Fudan University in Shanghai, China. He holds a B.A. in International Politics and a Ph.D. in International Relations also from Fudan University and a M.S. degree in Information Resource Management from Syracuse University.
In addition Dr. Liu offered a seminar to students on economic conditions in China.
[March 12, 2008]
Dr. Owen Gingerirch, "The Divine Handiwork: Evolution and the Wonder of Life"
Dr. Gingerich, a senior astronomer emeritus at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, spoke about his new book God’s Universe. Dr. Gingerich discussed how the design of the universe lends itself to the idea of a divine creator with a master plan. He highlighted the order and set up of the universe to show that the world was not created from chaos.
Owen Gingerich, is Professor Emeritus of Astronomy and the History of Science at Harvard University and is a member of the American Academy of the Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, and the International Academy of the History of Science. He has written over 500 technical or educational journals and he has written on astronomy in several encyclopedias and journals. His books include: The Great Copernicus Chase: And Other Adventures in Astronomical History (1992), The Eye of Heaven: Ptolemy, Copernicus, and Kepler (1993) and God’s Universe (2006).
Dr. Gingerich also offered a seminar to students and faculty on his The Book Nobody Read which focuses on Copernicus.
This event was cosponsored by the Philosophy Department at Saint Anselm College and the International Relations Club. [January 29, 2008]
Dr. Frank Ackerman, Harvard Univeristy, "Can We Afford the Future? The Economics of a Warming World" Dr. Ackerman addressed the more pressing global economic issues related to climate change. He focused on three “big ideas”: (1) The importance of our descendents (2) Uncertainty is inescapable and (3) Some costs are better than others. In this content he discussed appropriate discount rates, insurance against risks, and the meaning of costs.
He has written widely on climate change, energy, waste, and environmental policy. His most recent book, Priceless: On Knowing the Price of Everything and the Value of Nothing, critiques the cost-benefit analysis of public policy. He has directed policy reports for sponsors ranging from the European Parliament to Greenpeace and to the Farmworker Justice Fund. Presently he is with Tufts University’s Global Development and Environment Institute, and the Stockholm Environment Institute-US Center.
He is a member of Economists for Equity and Environment (E3), and the Center for Progressive Reform. He was also a founder and editor of Dollars & Sense magazine, and taught economics at the University of Massachusetts. In his off hours he plays the trumpet in the Second Line Social Aid & Pleasure Society Brass Band, which performs New Orleans-style jazz.
Dr. Ackerman also hosted an afternoon seminar with students from Professor McGushin’s Business Ethics class which focused on his most recent book Priceless: On Knowing the Price of Everything and the Value of Nothing. This event was cosponsored by the International Relations Club. [November 19, 2007]
Dr. Jean Francois Queguiner, "Even War Has Limits: International Humanitarian Law"
In his lecture, Dr Queguiner described the different dimensions of international humanitarian law and distinguishing it from human rights law. He also discussed the work of the Committee of the International Red Cross as a promoter of international humanitarian law.
Dr. Jean Francois Queguiner has been a professor of International Law at the University of Geneva, and is one the world’s few experts on International Humanitarian Law. He is currently working with the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC.
Dr. Queguiner and Elise Queguiner offered two seminars on humanitarian law and disaster relief law respectively to students of International Law. Ms. Queguiner works for the International Federation of the Red Cross. [September 13, 2007]