College of Arts and Letters

Great Decisions in Foreign Policy Lecture Series

people on UToledo main campus carrying flags from many nations with UToledo tower in backgroundThe University of Toledo Department of Political Science and Public Administration is hosting a fantastic and thought-provoking lecture series exploring Great Decisions in Foreign Policy. Topics this year range from national to international politics, global famine, war crimes and more.

Below is a schedule of the topics and speakers. This series is free and open to the public to attend. Lectures will be held in the Main Branch (Downtown Toledo) of the Toledo Lucas County Public Library.

PPT's from past lectures

FALL 2023 SERIES SCHEDULE

Each lecture is from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Toledo Lucas County Public Library, 325 N. Michigan Street, Downtown Toledo.

M. Joel Voss, associate professor of political science at The University of Toledo

ECONOMIC WARFARE

Wednesday, Sept. 6

Speaker: M. Joel Voss, Ph.D.

Dr. Jetsabe Caceres, professor and chair of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at The University of Toledo

GLOBAL FAMINE

Monday, Sept. 18

Speaker: Jetsabe Caceres, Ph.D

Professor, Chair of the UToledo Department of Political Science and Public Administration

Fears of global food shortages have followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has disrupted grain shipments from the major grain producer. But what about countries and regions that were suffering before this impending shortage? How is famine defined, and how is it different from simple food shortages? What if any remedies are there?

Asma M. Abdel Halim, professor of Women's and Gender Studies at The University of Toledo

IRAN AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS AT A CROSSROADS

Monday, Sept. 25

Speaker: Asma M. Abdel Halim, Ph.D

Professor, Department of Women's and Gender Studies, UToledo

By the fall of 2022, Iran was in turmoil due to widespread protests against the government-enforced wearing of the hijab, a failing economy, an ineffective new president, and the looming succession of the country’s leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. Abroad, renewal of the Iran nuclear deal seemed doubtful and tensions remain high between Iran, Israel, and Arab states. Many Iranians have lost hope of a better future, and the country seems at a crossroads. How should the United States deal with it? 

Qun Wang assistant professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Toledo

CHINA AND THE U.S.

Monday, Oct. 2

Speaker: Qun Wang, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Political Science and Public Administration, UToledo

Charles Betty-Medina, history professor at The University of Toledo

Politics in Latin America

Monday, Oct. 9

Speaker: Charles Beatty-Medina, Ph.D.

Professor of History, UToledo

Electoral results in Latin America over the past four years have led many observers of the regional/political scene to discern a left-wing surge in the hemisphere, reminiscent of the so-called “Pink Tide” that swept the area some 20 years ago. But how much do these politicians actually have in common? What implication does their ascendancy have for the region?

Attorney Megan Mattimoe

WAR CRIMES

Monday, Oct. 23 (NEW DATE!)

Speaker: Megan Mattimoe

Adjunct Law Professor, Lecturer, UToledo

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has resulted in widespread charges of war crimes and calls for justice. But what exactly are war crimes? Opinions of what constitutes a war crime have evolved, as have ways to identify and punish the perpetrators. How will the war crimes committed in Ukraine be dealt with?

 

Last Updated: 7/15/24