Title: SFS Hosts Centennial Alumni College in NYC
On September 21, 2019, Georgetown alumni had the chance to return to class, but without the exams! In collaboration with the Georgetown College and the Georgetown University Alumni Association, the SFS hosted its second SFS Centennial Alumni College, this time in New York City. Attendees heard from lectures from Georgetown faculty about topics ranging from international trade and Shakespeare’s Hamlet to water issues in India and the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election.
The day started off with a lunch and discussion with Professor Angela Stent, who sat down with SFS Dean Joel Hellman to talk about her latest book, Putin’s World. Stent, who served as a National Intelligence Officer for the National Intelligence Council for Russian and Eurasia, is Director of the Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies and Professor of Government and Foreign Service at Georgetown.
Dean Hellman kicked off the discussion by asking Professor Stent why she decided to write the book. In response, Stent listed a number of questions which drove her research, including how Putin planned on Russia becoming a “go-to power” with rather limited fundamentals (low GDP, crumbling infrastructure) and why it is that while relations with the West have deteriorated, the rest of the world regards Russia as a large, authoritarian power and business partner. She said that the goal of the book was to offer explanations to these questions, and ultimately answer the most important question of all: “what can we do about this?”
Following lunch, alumni had the opportunity to attend two classroom sessions, where they picked from six classes.
The Challenges to International Trade
Professor Marc Busch, the Karl F. Landegger Professor of International Business Diplomacy, taught a course on The Challenges to International Trade. Busch focused his course on two current World Trade Organization cases that he says, “could ultimately undo the fabric of the multilateral, rules-based, global economy.”
Shakespeare’s Hamlet
Professor Michael Collins, Professor in the English Department, taught a course on Shakespeare’s Hamlet. In it, he unpacked famous lines from the play, such as Hamlet’s quote, “the play is the thing wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the King.” In Professor Collins’s annual Shakespeare class, students attend productions at the Shakespeare Theater Company in DC and act out a number of Shakespeare scenes with their peers.
Torture: How the Gloves Came Off
Prof. Elizabeth Grimm Arsenault (Ph.D.’10), Director of Teaching for the Security Studies Program, taught “Torture: How the Gloves Came Off.” The course was based on her recently published book of the same title, which chronicles her research on legal and political arguments about the U.S.’s use of torture. Arsenault noted that there have always been ambiguities, silences, and questions in the laws on torture. But, she says, “the point that I want to put forward to you is that 9/11 in many ways changed the thinking about these bodies of law.”
Economic Espionage
Prof. David Gutschmit (SFS’80), Adjunct Assistant Professor for the Center for Security Studies, taught a course titled “Economic Espionage.” The full SFS course focuses on the interrelations between the private and intelligence sector and the effects of attacks by other countries on major corporations.
Fabrics To Dye For? Water Scarcity and Environmental Toxicity in India’s Textile Industry
Professor Shareen Joshi taught a course called “Fabrics To Dye For? Water Scarcity and Environmental Toxicity in India’s Textile Industry” about the negative climate effects of the industry. Joshi talked about one region of textile production in particular, Rajasthan, which is a “dark-zone” of extreme water scarcity. Joshi’s parents, who live in Rajasthan, have to buy private water along with many other residents instead of having public access to drinking water.
A Rough Road Ahead for Democracy and Development? Lessons for the World from Latin America
Fr. Matthew Carnes, S.J., taught “A Rough Road Ahead for Democracy and Development? Lessons for the World from Latin America.” He reflected on the rise and fall of several regimes, describing it as a seesaw between left and right wing governments. “In spite of the fact that we think democracy is going to lead to some stability, it actually has led to instability,” he said, warning about future uncertainty in the region.
The 2020 Presidential Election
Following the classroom sessions, the group reconvened for a conversation with Mo Elleithee (SFS’94), Executive Director of the Georgetown Institute of Politics and Public Service, about the 2020 Presidential Election. Discussing the race, he noted that “we are at a point where people are feeling that every institution that was set up to help them is failing them, and it’s not just government—it’s academia, the media, Wall Street, Silicon Valley.” Because of this, he said, the candidate with the strongest chance to win will be the “authentically inspirational populist that makes the case that it ‘ain’t about them, it’s about you’.”
Following Elleithee’s remarks, the day concluded with a cocktail reception. Thank you to Georgetown College – Georgetown University and the Georgetown University Alumni Association for their partnership on this event, and thanks especially to all the alumni, parents and friends who joined us!
