Newsletter 2003 - 2004
Graduate Student Research Nicholas Coronel-Viteri is completing a Masters thesis in International Studies based on his field research on the Brazilian Landless Peasant Movement in Brazil. He holds undergraduate degrees in International Relations and Biology from his home country of Ecuador, From Poor To Peasant: and is also completing a concurrent MA degree in Community Regional The Struggle for Land and Planning. Human Dignity in Brazil Slavery and land tenure have fundamen- Brazil by the FMI and the World Bank. By Nicholas Coronel-Viteri tally shaped the history of this country. The MST provides land to its members Brazil was the last Latin American coun- by organizing urban and rural citizens in Brazil is the largest country in Latin try to abolish slavery in 1888; through- acampamentos (known as lona preta, or America, with 8.5 million square kilome- out 358 years of slavery, millions of Afri- black plastic, because of the material used ters and a population of more than 175 can slaves were brought there. As of to- to build the minute shacks in which million people. It is also a land of pro- day, it has the second largest black popu- people live) on haciendas throughout the found contrasts: on the one hand, Brazil lation in the world (Nigeria has the first). country. People live in these is one of the ten largest economies in the After slavery was abolished, blacks were acampamentos from one to three years, world, allowing for a small percentage of unable to own land, and the best lands until the government legalizes their situa- the population to indulge in luxurious were given to the white migrants that ar- tion by buying the land from the haci- consumption paralleled only in the “first rived to Brazil from Europe (Italy, Ger- enda owner and “upgrading” the world:” ten percent of the richest Brazil- many, and Poland in particular). Since this acampamentos to asentamentos (where ians own 49 percent of properties in the period, land tenure became a fundamen- land ownership is individual) or agrovilas country. On the other hand, ten percent tal problem of Brazilian society, a prob- (where land ownership is communal). The of the poorest Brazilians do not own even lem that has not been solved even today. requirement imposed by the government one percent of the properties in the coun- MST: 20 Years of Land Redistribution on both the asentados and the residents try, death squads attempt to eliminate the A movement that is attempting to resolve of an agrovila is that they cultivate the 8 million street children of Brazil on a daily this situation is the MST (Movimento do land. In the acampamentos, people are basis 3 million children work, and 10 mil- Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra), or as educated about the movement and the lion Brazilians are unemployed. Thirty- it is known in English, the Brazilian Land- struggle for land and equality in Brazil; two million of Brazilians earn less than 30 less Peasant Movement. Many scholars they also hold peaceful marches through- dollars per month, and 51.4 million live and activists believe that the MST is the out the towns and cities of Brazil, request- with a salary of less than 60 dollars per largest and most important social move- ing their rights to land ownership. At the month. ment of its magnitude to appear in the acampamentos, people not only encoun- world in the last two decades. Since its ter very difficult living conditions, but the •African Studies p. 2 formation as a movement in 1984, it has possibility of being eliminated by the •B.A. Honors p. 3 provided 15 million hectares of land to armed forces of the landowners who, sup- •Alumni Notes p. 4 more than 350,000 Brazilian families. This ported by the police and the government, •Graduate Student Profile p. 5 movement has struggled for a system- have committed more than one brutal •Announcements p. 5 atrocity against the members of the move- •Burmese Recipe p. 6 atic and comprehensive agrarian reform •Roving Reporter p. 7 for Brazil, where 46 percent of the land is ment. Once an asentamento is formed, the •Donor Support p. 8 owned by 1 percent of the population. peasants start to farm the land, with the •Directors’ Corner p. 8-9 More than that, however, and under the aid of agricultural technicians who are •In Memorium - Louise Thurber p. 9 slogan “for a Brazil without large land- also members of the movement. These •Nataraja: a Living Tradition p. 10 technicians teach organic agriculture and •Meet Our Staff p. 11 holdings (latifundios),” the MST calls for animal raising. The MST also works
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THIS INSIDE •Keep in Touch p. 12 a profound transformation of the current neoliberal economic model, imposed on closely with other Brazilian movements Continued on page 2 University of Oregon From Poor To Peasant . . . cont. from page 1 that struggle for radical changes in their society, with the goal of 3 to 4 meters long to 2 meters wide (the lonas pretas). In of transforming some of the many inequalities of the country. these small shacks, people live, eat, sleep, but more importantly, Over its years as a movement, the MST has made diverse and fight for human dignity, for a piece of land that will give them significant achievements in education and training, produc- the opportunity to improve their living conditions, and the fu- tion, organization, and advocacy. The movement has also de- ture of their children. veloped alliances with other Latin American rural movements, One of the things that impacted me the most about my experi- including the Latin American Congress of Rural Organizations ence in Porto Alegre, was having interaction with white peas- (CLOC). ants, who had formerly lived in extreme poverty. I think that An Internship in Turning People’s Lives Around without realizing it I had internalized the postcolonial reality of I had the outstanding opportunity to work with the regional my home country, Ecuador, in which people considered “white” MST in Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul) from March to July are not poor and are not peasants. In Brazil, the poor came in all 2003, as part of my International Studies internship. As an in- different colors (although statistically speaking, the majority of tern, I worked closely with technicians, leaders, and members people living under conditions of extreme poverty are indeed of the MST in the small agrovila of Cimarrao (this and all other black). names are pseudonyms), composed of 30 families. I lived with a MST Brings Message of Hope to World’s Dispossessed family in the agrovila, worked the land, learned about organic Working with the MST was a life-changing experience for me. agriculture, and participated in meetings and marches during As a person born and raised in Ecuador, I have been in close my stay there. The agrovila was a good example of the suc- contact (and experienced myself) with poverty and injustices. cessful efforts of the MST: its members were formerly peasants At times, I have felt that there is no hope to solve the ills of our whose land had been taken away by large landowners, but they “third-world” nations. The MST brought back my hopes and were also carpenters, mechanics and former thieves, alcohol- desire to struggle for social justice. The level of social con- ics, drug addicts, or people without any particular skill. They sciousness, support and reciprocity of the people who were were viewed as the “scum” of society, who were willing to turn members of the MST and lived in these sites impressed me. their life around in order to become part of the MST and start a They saw themselves, not as individuals struggling for their new life as peasants and community leaders. My friend own rights, but as members of a larger and more important Vanderberg, who was a former alcoholic without a profession collective. I also found that the movement emphasized the fact or future in neoliberal Brazil, particularly touched me. He had that the capitalist system-and not necessarily the weakness of been working with the MST for seven years, had been alcohol- an individual-caused incidents of drug addiction, prostitution, free during that time, and was a strong enthusiast and sup- or crime on individuals, and they offered hope for the transfor- porter of the movement. He commented to me that he was able mation of the individual within the collective, based on the to change his life around because, more than anything, he notions of reciprocity, comradeship and solidarity. The MST wanted his children to remember him as a dignified human be- brings hope for Brazilians, but also for Latin Americans in gen- ing. eral, and even for the world’s dispossessed. It brings the mes- The “scum” of society were now skilled workers who produced sage that sustainable rural development is not only possible milk, vegetables, grains, and raised chickens, pigs, and cattle but necessary; it brings the message that every human being for their own consumption and to sell on the market. Building has the right to aspire to a life lived with dignity. on my previous anthropological training, I felt the need to de- I would like to sincerely thank my faculty advisor, Dr. Linda velop comparisons between this example of successful land Fuller for her unconditional support in my experiences. I would tenure and earlier stages of development of the MST. With that also like to express my gratitude to Dr. Robert Proudfoot, in mind, I visited and stayed in acampamentos and director of the Center for Indigenous Cultural Survival, and asentamentos throughout the state of Rio Grande do Sul. At Drs. Stephen Wooten and Dennis Galvan, members of the the acampamento “Justicia,” for instance, I stayed with single Thurber Fund Committee 2003, for partial funding of my re- mothers, entire families, elders, and young people in small spaces search and internship. African Studies is Vibrant at the U of O Stephen Wooten, ISP Over the last several years, African Studies has emerged as a Commiteee has developed an ambitious new program designed new intelletual focus at the University of Oregon. At present, to further enrich our students’ understanding of and apprecia- professors who comprise the African Studies Committee (18 tion for the richness and diversity of Africa and its peoples. To faculty members from more than a dozen academic departments strengthen and improve our support for the study of Africa, the and programs, from Law to Dance, as well as the International program is in the process of developing innovative initiatives Studies Program) offer over 40 courses with at least 50% Afri- linked to four key academic pillars: 1) curriculum enhancement can content, spanning thirteen different departments. These and language development, 2) enrichment of student overseas classes and 23 others with 100% Africa content are consis- experiences in Africa, 3) the creation of new undergraduate re- tently filled to capacity, demonstrating considerable and grow- search opportunities in Africa, and 4) the nourishment of an ing student interest in the study of Africa. These classes bring Africanist intellectual community. The ongoing development a largely misunderstood continent into clearer focus and help of African Studies at the University will have many positive students develop a more complete understanding of the world’s results for our students, our institution, our community and our complexity and diversity. But more needs to be done. With a region at large. The gains will be reflected in an increased aware- seed grant from the College of Arts and Sciences and matching ness of not only Africa, but of the world. funds froma wide range of departments, the African Studies 2 International Studies Program B.A. Honors Grads It’s not just our graduate students that undertake the daunting but rewarding task of thesis writing. This year, International Studies has 12 students graduating with departmental honors, and two of our students completed theses for the Honor’s College. These students must earn a cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.5 or higher, and must complete a 30-50 page thesis involving original analysis. To show you some of the exciting and innovative work our undergraduates have done, we are listing below some representative thesis titles and summaries from our 2004 honors grads.
Katie Callahan “The case of jasmine rice in Thailand: an analy- Galina Mardilovich “The Political and Historical Motives Be- sis of agricultural intellectual property rights under the WTO” hind France’s Descision Not to Support the War in Iraq” Sarah Dobra “Diagnosis of the Social, Economic, and Cultural Damon Martichuski “Changing Visions of the Thai village” Factors that Affect the Nutritional State of Children” Mary Martinez-Wenzl “Educational Equity for English Lan- Kim Giusti “France’s United Nations Policy Style:A Theoretical guage Learners in Oregon” Analysis” The end of WWII, sudden termination of colonial- Gary Metts “Universal Rights and Appropriate Violence: Who ism, and halting force that the Cold War had on the interests of decides?” The paper centers on surveys with two catholic any non-“superpower” nation, promptly thrust France into a groups, one in the US and the other in Italy, comparing their position without the status and influence to which it had grown views on appropriate uses of violence and international hu- so accustomed. The loss of its world power status made its man rights. membership in the United Nations highly important and forced Magali Rabasa “Women, Testimonio, & Zapatismo: the Nego- it to think in a more collective, global manner. The goal of this tiation of Identity and Self-representation” Through a com- analysis is to investigate the guiding principles by which France parative analysis of three women’s testimonios, I consider the acts through the United Nations, eventually achieving an accu- various approaches to the representation of voice and the rate depiction of the United Nations policy style of France. ways in which writers have redefined the conventions of the Caitlin Hendrickson “Community Based Sustainable Forest genre and the social sciences. Then, through an examination Management in Bolivia: A Three Pillar Sustainablily Anaylsis” of Zapatista women’s testimonio, I argue that there is an inter- Alexandra Himes-Ferris “Healing the Hole in One's Heart?; nal logic within testimonio that implies that the shift to unme- African American Heritage Tourism in West Africa” This paper diated, direct self-representation is an inherent goal within the is the study of five travel journals written by African North general purpose. American visitors to West Africa. The journals show that Afri- Bradley Schallert “Water Harvesting Institutions in North can American travelers may have similar goals for their visit, India” which include finding a homeland, and dealing with the histori- Michelle Swank “Funding Relationships Between Northern cal trauma of slavery. African Americans meet Africans on tour, and Southern NGOs: Can Equal Partnershps Exist?” which sets the encounter in a primarily tourist arena. The con- Saori Yokoyama “The Effect of NAFTA and Maquiladora structed nature of this primarily consumer-based method of see- Women Workers in Mexico” I am conducting a study of how ing a new place is problematized here. Both groups have eco- NAFTA has been affecting maquiladora women workers’ lives nomic and social expectations of the other, however, my research at a border. I am using regression analysis to determine their shows there is no one group of African American tourists with wages, health conditions, immigration have been changed the identical goals. past 10 years. Also, I am going to include growth and develop- Jaxon Love “French Anti-Americanism in the Twenty-First Cen- ment issues remained through various case studies. tury” It analyses the expressions and causes of French anti- Americanism in recent years, especially with regard to the US- led military intervention in Iraq. UndergraduateClass of 2003-04 Raihana Ansary ~ Silvana Arista ~ Abby Auch ~ Roby Babcock ~Karly Bannister ~ Kelly Bauhofer ~ Erin Blanton ~ Ovid Boyd ~ Mary Kathleen Callahan ~ Szu Yu Chen ~ C.J. Cleveland ~ RenataDantone ~ Allana De Ruwe ~ Sarah Dobra ~ Johanna Dunn ~ Allison Eckert ~ Jocelyn Evered ~ Emily Fahrenbach ~ KimberlyGiusti ~ Amanda Gow ~ Anjuli Grantham ~ Joshua Green ~ Kirstin Gunderson ~ Hanna Hall ~ Briana Harris ~ KatherineHemmings ~ Caitlan Hendrickson ~ Alexandra Himes-Ferris ~ Mayuko Hirai ~ Emily Hodges ~ Maegan Hollister ~ ChristopherHolman ~ Lisa Jacobs ~ Kendra Jensen ~ Alison Johnston ~ Elinor Jones ~ Hollee Keegan ~ Hargobind Khalsa ~ Melinda Kriegh~ Errol La Rue ~ Jessica Larsen ~ Adam Le Brun ~ Erin Lebow- Skelley ~ Cameron Levin ~ Eli Levine ~ Yi-Chen Liang ~ Man-LingLiao ~ Yu-Jen Lin ~ Hsiao-Li Lu ~ Marya Lusky ~ Dane Mack ~ Ezra Mannix ~ Galina Mardilovich ~ Damon Martichuski ~ MaryMartinez-Wenzl ~ Amelia McCandlish ~ Gary Metts ~ Mat- thew Morris ~ Misa Nagaoka ~ Dion Peoples ~ Martin Peters ~Valerie Premore ~ Jacob Prinz ~ Alyssa Pyke ~ Magali Rabasa ~ Jeffrey Read ~ William Reischman ~ Jonathan Roeyer ~ Karla Ruddle~ Geoffrey Samora ~ Sarah Sanberg ~ Bradley Schallert ~ Gabriela Serrano ~ Teremuura Shamel ~ Michael Shuman ~ Amber Slaton ~Colin Smith ~ Flavia Souza ~ Miki’ala Souza ~ Michelle Swank ~ Ryoko Takahashi ~ Ayaka Tanaka ~ Miki Terui ~ Drew Thomp-son ~ Steven Unfred ~ Rian Vaught ~ Emily Vedaa ~ Laura Verdoorn ~ Gypsy Walukones ~ Sarah Weiner ~ Benjamin West ~Caitlin Whiting ~ Katie Wright ~ Saori Yokoyama ~ Jennifer Young ~ Ahren Zimmerer-Mazza ~ Maria Zink 3 University of Oregon
Alumni Jennifer Dunn (BA ‘01) lived for Notes two years in China’s Yunnan Prov- Susan Hayes (MA ‘82) has retired ince, doing volunteer work for a non- Sarah Dobra (BA ‘03) is working for from law and now she works for the profit organization that provides and Mercy Corps in Guatamala as a Red Cross in Grass Valley, CA and expands educational opportunities for Project Director for a health care teaches yoga and meditation at her bright and impoverished local stu- project. own Mountain Top Yoga center in dents. She is currently pursuing an Meadow Vista, CA. She has two kids MA in Asian Studies at the Univer- Dion Peoples (BA ‘03) is pursuing and misses Clancy Thurber every sity of Hawaii. his M.A. in Thai Studies at day. She did a Red Cross internship Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. as part of her International Studies Catherine Gillund (MA ‘01) re- [email protected] program. [email protected] cently traveled to four Central Asian Republics; Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Yuka Sakamoto (MA ‘03) is cur- Janet Liana Arici (Smith) (BA ‘93) Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan cour- rently working with study abroad stu- served two years in the Peace Corps tesy of the U.S. Government, then dents at Kansai Gaidai University in (1996-98) in Moldova. She taught after experiencing Central Asia she Osaka. [email protected] English in Istanbul from 1998-00, traveled to Jamaica where she floated married, and returned to the U.S. She down the river on a bamboo raft, saw Michael Shuman (BA ‘03) is work- is currently working at the Institute crocodiles, and climbed waterfalls. ing with CAUSE, an economic jus- of International Education in Wash- She and her husband are currently liv- tice group in Ventura County, Califor- ington D.C., as the Program Coordi- ing in the DC area where she is work- nia. He has been getting organizer nator for the Hubert H. Humphrey ing on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon training from Delores Huerta of the fellowship program. [email protected] and in the summer of 2005 they will United Farm Workers, and will be at- go wherever the Army sends them tending the National Hip Hop Politi- Karen Miller Harris (BA ‘96) was next. [email protected] cal Convention in New Jersey in June a transitional bilingual 3rd grade to “help decide the political agenda of GATE teacher in Santa Ana Unified Erin Bevard (BA ‘02) works in the the Hip Hop generation.” School District but relocated in March Office of International Programs at [email protected] of 2001 to Kona, Hawaii. Now she is the University of Oregon. She works a mom! [email protected] with International Students, Scholars, Keiko Takashima (MA ‘03) is en- and Faculty, assisting them with im- joying her new position as head Kelly Baumgartner (BA ‘97) com- migration related issues. teacher in a language school in To- pleted a Masters in European Stud- [email protected] kyo, keeping busy teaching English ies from Aalburg University in Den- and counseling students. mark. During his studies there he held Shanti Laird (BA ‘02) is entering her [email protected] an internship at the U.S. Mission to 2nd year on the JET Program. She is NATO. He is currently a Sr. Defense an assistant English teacher in three Lisa Warshaw (BA ‘03) is writing Analyst at the U.S. General Account- junior high schools in Japan. It has for “Mesoamerica”, a news and ing office in Washington, D.C. been a great experience so far for analysis monthly published by the In- [email protected] her and she is looking forward to her stitute for Central American Studies next year. in Costa Rica. She is also working with Brenden Williams (BA ‘99) Just Casa Alianza, an organization helping completed a stint in the Peace Corps Chanisa Apichatabutra (MA ‘03) children throughout Latin America, in Niger, West Africa where he was is an instructor of special education currently performing an investigation instrumental in getting a new well con- at Rajabhat Suan Dusit in Bangkok, on the number of street children that structed for a village. Also extended teaching methodology and theory to actually exist in the world. stay for three months with the Carter future special education teachers. [email protected] Foundation working on a Guinea She also works at a social skills train- Worm Awareness program. ing center for children with autism and [email protected] learning disabilities. [email protected] 4 International Studies Program
Graduate Student Profile
ISP students are often a tantalizing mix of idealism and community spirit all mixed up with independence and individualistic initiative. So it’s not surprising that many of our grads dream of starting their own international non-profit organization, so they can approach the humanitarian issues they care about in the way they feel works best for them and for the community involved. But why would someone who has already accomplished this goal come back to school and commit to two or three more years of classes, and all that entails - homework, papers, exams, deadlines, grades? Kristen Leadem ISP MA student Kristen Leadem has done just that. Kristen is a co-founder of Clear Path International, which serves landmine and bomb accident survivors, their families and their communities in former war zones in Southeast Asia. After five years professional experience in international development work in Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Nepal, Kristen began the MA program in International Studies in Fall 2003. Why did you decide to go back to school after already carving learned about gender analysis, in particular. And I’m looking out a successful career for yourself in international forward to applying new skills to my work with Clear Path and development work? my internship with a larger development agency, so I can Working in development is a lifetime career I would like to compare and contrast the different roles and different niches of pursue. But working in the field can change you. All the large organizations with the smaller ones like Clear Path. There administrative stuff - writing reports, writing proposals, writing are so many players in the development sector, and some of evaluations - can start to turn people into numbers, or to turn them do fantastic work and receive global recognition. Some ideals into donor agendas. I felt a need to understand the larger are grassroots, lower profile organizations that don’t catch context of development, how aid works. And I wanted to do international attention but are, in fact, more responsive to the what I’ve been doing, only better, to give myself the right tool felt needs of communies. bag - to take the compassion and add professional skills, and The flexibility of the International Studies Program has enabled some more credentials. me to also pursue the Certificate in Non-profit Management in What has been the most challenging aspect of switching from the Policy, Planning and Public Management program, which is career professional to student? of enormous practical benefit for things like management, Recognizing the illusion that an MA is the answer, and program design and assessment. It’s a really good add-on. remembering that creativity, perseverance and collaboration are And one great thing about this program is that it’s in Eugene. the pillars of building answers to development. Studying instead I hadn’t lived in the U.S. for five years, and I wanted to come of “doing” development has been a huge adjustment. back to this community. Has the program fulfilled your expectations? What’s next? I used to be intimidated by graduate school. Coming here was I want to go back and do development work with a clearer a big leap of faith, I was really crossing a comfort threshhold. understanding and awareness of what’s beyond what meets But I reached a point in my career when I knew I needed to take the eye, to think in terms of longer term impact evaluation, not a step aside in order to step forward ... although sometimes, like just what development professionals identify as most important. in the middle of finals week, it can feel like a step backward! For more information about Clear Path International, visit Some of the coursework has been invaluable, especially what I their website: experienced in cross-cultural communication and what I’ve
from an angel”. Over time, Laphet has or herself. An alternative way to make gradually taken on more and more social the fermented tealeaf salad is to mix all significance.. As Burmese dynasties rose the ingredients together. and fell, Laphet continued to be served after the reconciliation of a lawsuit, at a The Burmese alphabet contains 33 consecration, and at the ceremony of as- consonants and 8 vowels. It originated cending the throne. These days, Laphet in the Bagan era. The writing system is is not only served as a revered and hon- constructed of the consonants, orific dish at wedding receptions, reli- consonant combination symbols, and gious ceremonies and cultural events, but diacritic marks indicated tone level. In it is also served as an ordinary afternoon the above recipe written in Burmese, the snack. Almost every Burmese household letters in bold are consonants, the has a Laphet bowl in which Laphet is Tea Leaf Bowl letters in brackets are numbers, the dots soaked in peanut oil. After lunch or din- are tone diacritics, and the rest are Burma’s Laphet: ner time, eating a spoonful of Laphet consonant combination symbols. It is “A gift from an angel” makes the meal complete. written and read from left to right. The following is a recipe of “Lephet Editor’s note: International Studies has Thoke” (fermented tea leaf salad) in En- long been renowned as the “Potluck glish and in Burmese. Program” because of the culinary en- thusiasm and skills of Program partici- 5 teaspoons lephet (fermented tea vufzuf pdk ZGef; (5) ZGef; pants. The hit of our 2004 Asian New leaves) Year potluck was Thet Mar Win’s Bur- MuufoGefNzLaMumf ZGef; (2) ZGef; 2 teaspoons crispy fried garlic mese tea leaf salad, which we are pro- 2 teaspoons crispy fried yellow beans yJMurf;aMumf ZGef; (2) ZGef; viding below. 2 teaspoons roasted peanuts yJaMumf ZGef; (2) ZGef; 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds Laphet, or fermented tea leaf, has been 1/2 teaspoon limejuice ESrf;avSmf ZGef; (2) ZGef; intermingling in Burmese culture and so- 3 teaspoons peanut oil cial values for more than one thousand aNryJavSmf ZGef; (2) ZGef; years. It was first introduced to Burmese Traditionally, each of the ingredients is oHyk&m&nf ZGef; (1?2) society in the Bagan era, the first Bur- placed in a separate compartment of a mese nation, which lasted from the elev- aNryJqD ZGef; (3) ZGef; decoarted lacquerware container. A enth through the thirteenth century. The diner should pick up a little bit of each taste of Laphet is so extraordinary that ingredient with a teasoon and serve him the people of Bagan called the leaf “a gift
Ancient Capitol New Year’s Dance
6 International Studies Program
Our roving reporter asked ISP Staff, Faculty, and Students the following question:
“What book or book or movie has most helped you clarify your thoughts about the 2004 presidential election?”Dennis Galvan, Professor Mike Viola, Graduate Student Being There, 1979 film with Peter countries, Funabashi explains how The film Unprecedented documents Sellers, based on the 1971 novel by they (the politicians and diplomats he the undermining of Jerzy Kosinski. In this movie, a man talked with) favor J. Kerry over G. democracy in in his 50s, who Bush. Wakamiya on the other hand America during has grown up alerts closeness of the contemporary the 2000 presiden- with no education political relationship between the tial election. The or contact with Japanese and U.S. governments. film examines an the outside world, Though he argues the importance of election process who spent his the relationship, he is also concerned that was flawed with electoral injus- entire life secluded about the Japanese government tice, racism, and nepotism. My as a gardner on a wealthy estate, is blindly following initiatives of the blood was boiling after watching this accidentally propelled into the Bush administration over issues like film. I just can't imagine how our two national spotlight. His comments on terrorism. What can be drawn from party electoral system is the model gardening are (mis)interpreted as these articles is the extent to which for democracy. deep aphorisms on pressing national the Japanese government can remain issues, how to run a country, solve sovereign, given that the Japanese in- Linda Fuller, Professor economic problems, etc. Cynical ternational relation has been always Wealth and Democracy, a 2002 elites manipulate him to run as “their” influenced by the United States. book by Kevin Phillips, explores the candidate for President of the United Whoever gets elected, the candi- growing gap in States. The movie closes with him dates should be aware of conse- wealth in the U.S. about to win. The year was 1979, quences that “the U.S.-centered uni- Kevin Phillips or 1999? polar structure (U.S. foreign policies could be deriving from exceptionalism) described as a (Funabashi)” brings to the interna- Shin Ueno, Graduate Student populist tional community. Repbulican. Also, European Hopes See a Kerry White House, an article by Yuichi Michael Moore’s film Bowling for Aaron Greer, Graduate Student Columbine takes a hard look at Funabashi (Asahi Shinbun, 2004 4/ 6), and Bush’s I’d have to say Jean Baudrillard’s violence in U.S. society. At least one Simulacra and Simulation has been major TV network has refused to air America: Can We Still Say We most informative, for this election and one of Michael Moore’s later just about every election preceding productions. Live Together and Share Diffi- it. Symbols of symbols of symbols..... Thet Mar Win, culties? (transla- Graduate Student tion from Japa- Gary Metts, Honors Grad ‘04 I learned about the nese),” a column The movie that has helped me clarify US presidential by Yoshibumi Wakamiya (Asahi my thoughts the most would have to election, especially Shinbun, 2003 10/26). be Other People’s Money because this coming The articles present both European it seems like this election is, in many election, by and Japanese perspectives on the ways, about big money and it is com- watching interviews upcoming U.S. election. Based on munities and families (worldwide) that with politicians and authors of conversations with politicians and will suffer depending on the outcome. political books on “Meet the Press” diplomats from various European and “Hardball with Chris Mathews”. 7 University of Oregon Directors’ Corner Dennis Galvan, discovery at Oregon. We already of- Director 2004-07 fer students much by way of under- communities, even as we build our Greetings to Alumni, Grads standing South and Southeast Asia, Af- own community of present and former rica, and the experience of communi- students who share our sense of mis- For almost 25 years, the International ties displaced by imperialism and Eu- sion in international education and Studies Program has trained genera- ropean expansion in North America understanding. Keep that connection tions of students to make sense of a and elsewhere. In the coming years, to the ISP community and stay in culturally diverse world where “de- we will strengthen our existing offer- touch! velopment” and “progress” have dif- ings and build expertise in Latin With best wishes, ferent meanings depending on one’s America, Western and Eastern Eu- Dennis Galvan wealth, status, gender, and sometimes rope and parts of Asia and the Middle Linda Fuller, color or creed. In the post-9/11 world, East not yet represented in our Director 2000-04 our mission to foster a critical sense courses and research. This is an ex- The Past Four Years of the complexity of social change, citing time of consolidation and growth unearth the root causes of coopera- in International Studies, and I look for- Linda Fuller, Professor of tion and conflict, promote cross-cul- ward to keeping you posted on our Sociology, has served as tural understanding, and instill a deep efforts and hope to hear from you as Director of International Studies sense of global citizenship have never well. from 2000-2004. As she been more relevant or more urgently Please drop by the office when you’re prepares to return full time to her needed. in town, call or send an email to tell teaching, research and service in As incoming Director of International us about your experiences with our Sociology, she took the time to Studies for 2004-2007, I’m eager to Program, what you appreciated and share her thoughts on her four build on our existing expertise and re- ways in which you think ISP can bet- years with us. sources, reach out to allies around ter serve our students, alumnae and What are you proudest of, after campus concerned with international community, both local and global. In- four years as our Director? issues, and in so doing make Interna- ternational Studies at Oregon has long I can’t really take full credit for tional Studies a more complete and been about helping students under- anything that has happened, because vibrant center of global studies and stand the complexity of the world’s Donor Support THANKS from all of us to the following folks whose generous gifts make it possible for us to go “above and beyond” in our efforts to support students, faculty, and community outreach:
Junko Murata & Lawrence Abbott ~ Kelli & Paul Adams ~ Evan Andersen ~ Heather Anderson ~ Melissa Atkinson ~ Sylvia & Russell Behrens Yamada ~ John Blickenstaff ~ Patricia Bodner ~ Guy & Shelley Boylan ~ Charles & Margaret Brown ~ Joshua Brown ~ Alisa & F. Sutton Cunningham ~ Efrain & Kathleen Diaz ~ Mary Dorking ~ James Erickson ~ Patricia Fink ~ Joseph Fretz ~ Michael Gerot ~ Bill Goldstein ~ Karen & Scott Gooddin ~ Jennifer Grambush ~ Richard Greyson ~ Gail Gunther ~ Janet & Ronald Hartwig ~ Stephanie Wood & Robert Haskett ~ Douglas Henne ~ Nancy and Georg Hortnagl ~ Kathleen Howland ~ Michael Hyams ~ Margaret Jack ~ Jorge Kara ~ Carol Kaulukukui ~ John & Patricia Kerrigan ~ Amy & John Kinard ~ Herlinda Leon ~ Siping Li ~ Louise Marandas ~ Laurie Maricle ~ Maxine Martin ~ Timothy Mitchell ~ Linda Monahan ~ Troy Montes ~ Pamila Naito ~ A. Eric Newton ~ Bud & Patricia Nicola ~ Ronald & Patricia O’Keefe ~ Jodie & Albert O’Kelly ~ Elizabeth Orjala Gerot ~ Mary & David Palm ~ Barbara Paredes-Sumner ~ Kurt Roeyer ~ Michael & Kathlee Ross ~ Jeffrey & Debora Sanberg ~ Mark & Nancy Schuman ~ Margaret Scott ~ Carrol & Carl Staley ~ Lynn Stephen ~ Ivan Sumner ~ Jane Wahlstrom Gordon ~ John & Marliese White ~ Donald & Stephanie Wickersham ~ Patricia & Joseph Wright
If you would like to help support the International Studies Program, donations can be sent to: UO Foundation Please specify if you wish your contribution to be targeted to the Clarence Thurber Endow- ment (dedicated to student scholarships and professional development) or the Interna- PO Box 3346 tional Studies General Support Fund. Eugene, OR 97403-0346
8 International Studies Program
I haven’t done anything alone. But I did not know about Africa, about the globe, doing everything from I’m proud of that, because I wouldn’t language, about indigenous peoples, health work to international banking have felt right being a Director who about structuring a curriculum and to environmental justice work to made big decisions by myself. I’m about the process of learning itself, to everything in between. I doubt yoiu very proud of our students, and the name but a few. could go to very many countries in the graduate and undergraduate What are you going to miss the world where you could not find at least programs, which provide opportunities most? one of our graduates making a that students just can’t get in any other The students and the staff. I agree difference. And I will miss being a department. ISP offers them with many of my colleagues who find part of an enterprise that is constantly exposure to a wide variety of our office to be a real refuge from trying to craft and re-craft, do and re- professors in terms of the material other parts of our jobs at the do what in the world gets written covered and the pedagogy employed. University. The staff has made it a about, taught about, and put into ISP challenges students in these ways. pleasant and comfortable place to do practice. The overseas and cross-cultural our jobs, even the rough parts of them. What advice would you give all of experience and internship ISP students are doing immensely us as you move on? opportunities we require are really interesting things. I’ve enjoyed Not to take ourselves quite so important as well. And ISP allows seeing the Program help them pull seriously. Not that what we do isn’t students flexibility, so that they can together different parts of their lives, serious or important. It clearly is. But take some responsibility for designing using their time with us to build bridges we sometimes need to put things in their own education and making the between their family and cultural grander perspectives, to try to stand most of it. backgrounds, their work experiences, in other people’s shoes, especially the What has been the best part of their values, their intellectual passions ones that fit us least well. being Director of International and their futures. They end up all over Studies? I gained an ever-deeper respect and appreciation for interdisciplinary academic work, and people from different dsciplines working together on a day-to-day basis. I have read a lot recently by people who, after long careers in single disciplines, have come to advocate the loosening of disciplinary boundaries. It’s been great to work in a place where these structural disciplinary boundaries are already fluid. This makes for a vibrant intellectual space. Being in Linda Fuller and Dennis Galvan this space has taught me many things
In memorium Louise Thurber We are saddened to report the passing of Louise Thurber, a longtime supporter of International Studies and wife of program founder Clancy Thurber. Louise Thurber died on April 9 of age- related causes. She was 79.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Clarence Thurber Endowment Fund at the University of Oregon, or to the YMCA.
9 University of Oregon In a different medium Joni Offermean received her MA in Winter 2004, and is now working ......
for my ISP Master of Arts final project, I created a documentary video called Nataraja-a living tradition in the U.S. The video presents the Nataraja statue of Dancing Shiva from the perspective of three traditional Indian dancers who are living and working in the U.S. The dancers discuss Bharatanatyam, one of Indian’s traditional dances, and describe
the connection between the dance form and the Nataraja image. I created the video to serve as an education module for art museums that have a Dancing Shiva statue on display. The video provides cultural context to assist viewers in understanding the meaning that the image brings to some practitioners of Hinduism. By watching the video, museum visitors will have an opportunity to witness the vibrant role of Nataraja as a contemporary patron deity of dance. This project was made possible by funding from the Ed Tech committee which provided necessary video equipment.
To view her work please visit the following website http://joniofferman.com/nataraja_trailer.mov
10 International Studies Program Meet the ISP Office Staff
Quick - turn back to page 9 and see what Linda Fuller says about the ISP Office Staff. Because the students and faculty of ISP agree that working with the office staff in 175 PLC is one of the great things about being in ISP, we’d like to showcase the people who keep the office functional and functioning. Tara McDonald, Office Manager I’ve been with International and Area coordinator, human resource and facili- one more thing they have to learn how to Studies since ties manager, principal’s secretary at a deal with before they go out into the real November of middle school and finally an account tech world and deal with more bureaucracy! 2001 and have at the UO. One of the things I find most My two daughters are students in college very much interesting about the UO are the oppor- right now, and I can see them in the enjoyed tunities for students outside of the class- students I work with here sometimes. working with room. It makes me wish I could go back to Now I expect more from students, but I such a diverse college again (well, without the home- am also more sympathetic. They have so group of work) and take advantage of the wonder- many exciting opportunities - I get excited students, ful opportunities that students have here. for them, and I want them to be more faculty and staff whose interests span our Challenges: Since my job is about paying excited. small planet, its people, cultures and bills and giving out money (which makes But otherwise I’m sort of boring, and I resources. My background in and me popular by default) one of the most have boring hobbies. I play violin, and I understanding of community-based challenging things about working here is used to play in a string quartet. Lately I economic development and local figuring out the “university way” of busi- keep telling myself that I should pick it sustainable food systems has truly been ness. There tends to be a lot of rules on up again, but music is still very important enhanced by the enlightened how we can spend our money and some- in my life - I go to concerts, and volunteer conversations about international times that can tie our hands when doing at the Bach Festival. I read, I garden, I go development, cross-cultural business. Positives: I work with a great to movies. I don’t have anything communication and U.S.-foreign relations group of people. Tara, Chingling and Dan outrageous in the closet! that flow in and out of the office on a are funny and warm people, who truly Editor’s note: Chingling Reed was a daily basis. The challenge of working in care about the world we live in. It makes 2004 recipient of the UO Award for this type of an environment has to do coming to work everyday a pleasant ex- Outstanding Achievement with the place and time we in the U.S. are perience. My family has fallen in love with Dan Gorman, Undergraduate Secretary in. I see students in International Studies Eugene. We love the diversity of the city, Born in Oregon and driven around the learning how to communicate across the opportunities that our son has state on almost every gravel road by my perceived cultural barriers and through his school, Spencer Butte, the parents when developing skills for understanding and beautiful greenery and landscape, and I was a kid. I’m working with “other” people in “other” even the rain. a UO alum, BA places as equals in the face of mounting Chingling Reed, Graduate Secretary 1995 Linguis- U.S. intolerance of, and isolation from, This is my fourth year - I’m the person tics, my lan- these very peoples and places. who has guages are worked in Chinese and Colleen Glick, Accounting Technician this office Spanish. My My family the longest. hobbies in- decided to I like this job clude biodiesel, track & field, I threw the move to Or- because hammer and shot put when I was younger egon last every and now I volunteer at U of O track meets. year. My student is I’ve been married for 14 years, have two husband so unique. kids Kelsey (8) and Morgan (3), and the found a job Absolutely unique! I learn from them all obligatory cat and dog. I started working with the City the time. I come to work every day with for OCIAS in the fall of 2002. I think the of Eugene this anticipation - it’s not drudgery at all. best part of my job is working with the and we By nature I’m interested in people, and interesting faculty, students, and cowork- moved here with our 13 year old son, Tho- this is a very people-oriented job. The ers. I worked for Sony for five years after mas, last summer from Northern Califor- hardest part is having to having to graduating and the educational environ- nia. I am a Political Science major but have enforce all the bureaucractic regulations ment is better suited to my style than the not worked in the field in years. My back- - I sometimes feel for the students as they corporate world. I also love that I can take ground consists of being a paralegal, an have to go through so much bureaucracy, a class or two a term to broaden my hori- assistant to a lobbyist, catering and event but I tell myself that maybe this is just zons. 11 KeepTouch In
Name:
Graduation date & degree:
Address & email: The International Studies Program Newsletter is published annually by the University of Oregon International Studies Program. What have you been doing? Editor Kathie Carpenter
Layout & Graphic Design Dan Gorman
International Studies Program 5206 University of Oregon Eugene, OR 97403-5206
541.346.5051
[email protected] August 2004
Eugene, OR 97403-5206 OR Eugene,
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International Studies Program Studies International UNIVERSITY OF OREGON OF UNIVERSITY