The necessity of war on Iraq is something that’s on many people’s minds these days, but some professors think it needs to be on the minds of students a lot more.
The University’s Concerned Faculty for Peace and Justice organized the first-ever “Is War Necessary?” teach-in, which will take place at 7 p.m. tonight in the EMU Ballroom. The goal of the teach-in is to bring attention to an issue that, according to women’s and gender studies Professor Emerita Barbara Pope, students aren’t properly informed about.
“This is the biggest political and urgent issue of the day and is a way to get more information to students than they’d get from normal sources,” Pope said.
Although there will be several lecturers at the plenary session, attendees will be able to participate in discussion groups.
“It’s a place to learn and voice questions and concerns,” Pope said.
Speakers at the event include ASUO President Rachel Pilliod, political science Assistant Professor Jane Cramer, physics Professor Gregory Bothun and geography Professor Alec Murphy. Pope expects law school associate professors Margaret Paris and Ibrahim Gassama to be especially interesting as Gassama is an expert on international law.
CFPJ was originally formed in response to the Persian Gulf War, and the group has since held events such as the “After September 11” Teach-in that drew 1,500 participants.
Professors expect to discuss issues of oil resources and foreign policy, the domestic impact of the war on terrorism, preemption and international law, assessment of strategy and the geopolitical consequences of war.
For more information about the teach-in or CFPJ, contact Barbara Pope at 346-5223.