Friday Forum
Fall 2010 Lecture Series | "De-/Re-Constructing the 'American Dream' "
- Held weekly from noon to 1:30 pm in Latzer Hall at the University YMCA
- All lectures are free and open to the public
- Lunch may be purchased for $6.00 ($3.00 for students with a valid I.D.)
Lecture Schedule
9/17 - “Access and Advocacy: Can Unions Save Higher Education?”
Cary Nelson, Professor Emeritus, English, University of Illinois and President, American Association of University Professors
Colleges and universities are under siege from an array of economic, political and cultural forces that are dramatically altering higher education institutions and policies. Cary Nelson examines a lengthy list of trends and forces – such as corporatization, globalization, and intrusive research oversight – that he says are eroding the three foundational principles of higher education: academic freedom, shared governance and tenure.
9/24 – “Farewell to Journalism? The Battle to Build News Media and Create American Democracy”
Robert McChesney, Host,“Media Matters,” (WILL-AM)
American journalism is in free-fall collapse. Robert McChesney analyzes the decline, discusses the political implications, and reviews the best possible solutions.
10/1 – “Reading the Illinois Economy”
Geoffrey Hewings, Director, Regional Economics Applications Laboratory, Univeristy of Illinois
The Illinois economy mirrors the US economy in terms of structure but not in terms of economic performance. Geoffrey Hewings will explore some current problems and issues and present some forecasts for the next several decades. Attention will focus on employment and infrastructure as two examples of areas that current challenge Illinois' economic recovery.
10/8 – "Geography, Public Policy and the Housing (and economic) Crisis"
Dr. Jeff Crump, Professor, Housing Studies, University of Minnesota
Visiting guest, Dr. Jeff Crump, will analyze the racial and spatial dynamics of mortgage lending and foreclosure in US Cities, using the Twin Cities as an example. He will also explore the policies that have led to the housing crisis. Findings indicate that minority neighborhoods have suffered greatly in the foreclosure disaster that was largely the result of the exploitative lending activities of subprime lenders. In addition, he finds that suburban foreclosure is increasing rapidly, casting doubt on the future of homeownership among the middle class. This discussion raises significant questions on the efficacy of federal housing policies that promote homeownership while at the same time failing to adequately regulate the activities of lenders.
10/15 –“Playing for the Dream? Baseball, Latinos, Immigration and the American Dream”
Adrian Burgos, Jr., Associate Professor, University of Illinois
Baseball has historically been associated with the transformation of immigrants into Americans, as a pathway into social acceptance, and the realization of the American Dream. For some, this is precisely how to interpret the rise of Latinos in the Major League Baseball—as confirmation of the ability of U.S. institutions to incorporate difference and produce new “Americans.” For others, the growing presence of Latinos (foreign-born and U.S.-born)—who now represent approximately a third of Major League players—raises questions about the terms of inclusion and whether inclusion translates into equality. More recently, questions have also arisen around whether due to its own celebrated history within the Civil Rights Movement (marked its pioneering of racial integration in 1947) MLB has the responsibility to its Latino players and fans to relocate the 2011 All-Star Game out of Arizona due to SB1070. Adrian Burgos, Jr. offers a historical context to the rise of Latinos in baseball and its links to the broader story of Latino immigration and pursuit of the American Dream.
10/22 – "Tea Parties, Political Parties, and Predictions for the 2010 Midterm Elections."
Brian Gaines, Professor, Department of Political Science & the Institute of Government and Public Affairs , University of Illinois
Professor Brian Gaines will discuss potential outcomes of the 2010 general
elections, nationwide, and in Illinois. What might happen? Why? If those officials are elected, what's next?
10/29 – “Do Partisan Elections of Judges Produce Unequal Justice? When Courts Review Employment Arbitrations”
Michael LeRoy, Professor, School of Labor and Employment Relations &
College of Law, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Partisan elections of judges are a growing concern as large contributions pour into these campaigns. Michael LeRoy found that in state trial courts where an arbitrator's ruling was challenged, employees won only 32% of cases before party-affiliated judges. But in states where judges were appointed or elected in non-partisan races, employees prevailed in 53% of the cases. The results suggest that partisan judicial elections produce unequal justice for ordinary people who are not large campaign donors.
11/5 - "Locked Up and Locked Out? Higher Education and Searching for the American Dream in Prison."
Rebecca Ginsburg, Director, Education Justice Project (EJP)
Rebecca Ginsburg discusses the Education Justice Project, a higher education prison program that offers on-site classes to men incarcerated at a local state prison. Ginsburg will discuss the values of higher education, how they lend themselves to the healing and transformation processes that can take place within prisons, to and the implications of EJP’s work for the larger campus.
Prison education programs reduce arrest, conviction, and re-incarceration rates among released men and women. Evidence has also linked the presence of higher education programs in prison to fewer disciplinary incidents within prison, finding that such programs produce safer environments for incarcerated people and staff alike. These programs also have benefits for incarcerated people’s families and neighborhoods. In spite of such benefits, there has been a precipitous drop in on-site higher education programs is prisons around the country. Please participate in this lecture and discussion of this education-social justice program.
Funding
The University YMCA relies on contributions to cover costs associated with this program. There are several lunch options offered through the Y Thai Eatery for only $6.00 ($3.00 for students with a valid school ID). If you would like lunch, you may mail a check (payable to the University YMCA) with your registration form or pay at the door. Your meal reservation will be checked at the reservation desk prior to each talk. Lunch reservations can also be made by emaling Samantha or calling (217) 337-1500. You can reserve your meals for the entire series for only $42.00 - this includes a free lunch! Lunch for individual lectures can also be reserved or purchased at the door.
Friday Forum Committee
- Alaska Andre
- Suhail Barot
- Don Chenoweth
- Ellen Dahlke
- Rachael Dietkus-Miller
- Mike Doyle
- Ernie Gullerud
- Walt McMahon
- Dave Noreen
- Joe Peacock
- Matt Rosenstein (Chair)
- Tom Seals
- Claire Szoke
- Abby Toms
- Kasey Umland
- Brad Vonck
- Steve Witt
Friday Forum Co-Sponsors
- University YMCA
- Center for Advanced Study
- Episcopal Church and Foundation
- First Mennonite Church
- McKinley Presbyterian Church and Foundation
- Wesley Church and Foundation
- Office of Equal Opportunity & Access
- Office of the Chancellor
- Dept of Landscape Architecture
- School of Labor and Employment Relations
- Graduate School of Library & Information Science
- Dept of Urban and Regional Planning
- Dept of Psychology
- Center for Democracy in a Multiracial Society
- Counseling Center
- Center for Global Studies
- LGBT Resource Center
Additional Information
The views expressed by the speakers do not necessarily reflect the views of the University YMCA, co-sponsors, or the Friday Forum committee. A sign language interpreter is available with a 72 hours notice. Please contact Carol Nunn at 337-1500. All forums are radio broadcast at 6:00 p.m. on WEFT 90.1 the Monday following the lecture. If you have any questions, please contact Event Coordinator, Amanda Krueger, at amanda@universityymca.org or (217) 337-1500.