Professional Notes Archives

Larus Comments in Portuguese Press on Hong Kong Protests and Taiwan Politics

September 19, 2019 by jlaiacon

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, commented on the effect of the Hong Kong protests on the 2020 Taiwan presidential elections. Professor Larus indicated that the “one country, two systems” formula applied to Hong Kong after 1997 was never a popular concept in Taiwan. China originally offered the formula to Taiwan in the 1980s as an incentive to join the mainland. She indicated that it would be political suicide for the Taiwan government, whether it be DPP or KMT, to support it in Taiwan now. She indicated that the response by the HK government to protests against a proposed extradition law there killed any chances of Taiwan accepting the “one country, two systems” formula. Dr. Larus also indicated that the HK protests and the HK government’s response has forced Kaohsiung mayor and KMT presidential candidate to step away from his earlier advocacy of “one country, two systems” and to be more cautious in advocating closer relations with China. She indicated that a crackdown on protesters in HK could also change the political dynamics on Taiwan.

Al-Tikriti Publishes Article Describing Istanbul Special Election

September 18, 2019 by jlaiacon

The Middle East Report Online (MERO) published an article by Associate Professor of Middle Eastern Studies Nabil Al-Tikriti, entitled “Autopsy of Erdoǧan’s Istanbul Defeat.” In the course of this article, Professor Al-Tikriti analyzed the political and economic dynamics driving the results of the June 23, 2019 Istanbul special elections, which proved a landslide defeat for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

“Certainties that had defined Turkish politics for a generation were thrown into doubt by the overwhelming victory Istanbul voters handed the opposition CHP party’s mayoral candidate Ekrem İmamoǧlu on June 23, 2019,” Al-Tikriti said. “Voters responded with righteous and smoldering fury to the ruling AKP party’s blatant tampering with the democratic process after it had annulled İmamoǧlu’s previous, and much closer, victory over the AKP’s candidate Binali Yıldırım on March 31, forcing a new election for mayor of the Greater Istanbul Municipality. While not the first electoral setback Turkish President and AKP party leader Recep Tayyip Erdoǧan has faced, it was the first time his own actions boomeranged so pointedly against his own agenda…”

For the full article see: https://merip.org/2019/09/autopsy-of-erdo%C7 %A7ans-istanbul-defeat/

Farnsworth Lectures in Washington to Norwegian Seminar

September 18, 2019 by jlaiacon

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently presented a lecture, “The Competing Visions of the American Political System: Building Public and Private Spheres,” at the Norwegian Washington Seminar in Washington, D.C. The program brings roughly 20 mid-career professionals from Norway for a two-day program on American politics and culture.

Farnsworth has also been quoted in several regional and national news stories:

Voter registration up in Virginia’s Democratic strongholds (The Washington Post)

Virginia’s ‘off-off-year’ elections were once sleepy. And then came Trump. (The Washington Post; Stamford Advocate)

With Deadlines Approaching, Campaigns Use Tricks to Influence Finance Disclosures (WVTF Radio IQ)

Tension in the Middle East: Mike Pompeo Calls Attack on Saudi Oil Facilities an “Act of War” (CTV News)

White House Shake Up (CTV News Channel)

Not Ivanka or Don Jr, Barron has the best chance of advancing the Trump political dynasty (Meaww.com)

Barrenechea Presents at Literature/Film Association’s Annual Conference

September 17, 2019 by jlaiacon

Professor of English Antonio Barrenechea

Antonio Barrenechea, Professor of English, recently presented “Fear and Loathing in São Paulo: Trash Metaphysics in the Cinema of Jose Mojica Marins” at the Literature/Film Association’s annual conference, entitled “Reboot Repurpose Recycle” this year and held in Portland, Oregon.

Gentry To Host Session at George Washington Regional Commission Event

September 17, 2019 by jlaiacon

Lance Gentry, Professor, College of Business

Lance Gentry, a professor in the College of Business, will present a session with Rappahannock United Way President Janel Donohue, ”Understanding the Region: Who are we and what are our opportunities?” on Oct. 17 at UMW’s Stafford Campus. The session will be one of three free sessions presented by the George Washington Regional Commission as part of its new program, Good Jobs Here.

According to an article in The Free Lance-Star, Gentry and Donohue will “discuss some of the key demographics and opportunities related specifically to Planning District 16. This will include a look at new data on the region’s workforce, including those who commute, and some unique opportunities that the region has to develop and grow economically.”

“The session will also take a special look at the portions of the region’s population that are working but struggling, so they can be included in the program’s long-term plans for success.”

Read the entire article here.

Richardson Column in The Free Lance-Star

September 17, 2019 by jlaiacon

College of Business Dean Lynne Richardson

College of Business Dean Lynne Richardson’s weekly column in The Free Lance-Star discusses why a job might be the best fit, or not, for your personal life. Read WORK AND PERSONAL LIVES.

How often do you consider the personal side of your life when you consider job opportunities?

I have lived and worked in a variety of locales: a mid-sized city, two smaller cities, and one fairly rural college town. As a person who blooms where she’s planted, I have no issues assimilating into any of the communities. But that’s not true for everyone. Read more.

Goldman Co-Edits Special Issue of The Journal of Hip Hop Studies Devoted to Kanye West

September 11, 2019 by jlaiacon

Assistant Professor of Communication Adria Goldman

Adria Goldman, Assistant Professor of Communication, is one of three guest editors of a special issue of The Journal of Hip Hop Studies devoted to Kanye West. According to the abstract, “The goal of this project, ‘I Gotta Testify: Kanye West, Hip Hop, and the Church,’ is to add a new perspective to the scholarly discourse on Hip Hop and Christianity within classrooms, religious institutions, and popular culture by focusing on Kanye. We chose to focus on Kanye because he has been one of Hip Hop’s most influential artists in the past decade. Furthermore, Kanye is one of the most polarizing celebrities in America and across the globe. His music, fashion, political views, and family (which includes the Kardashians) dominate discourse on social media, blogs, television, and other forms of mass media. With the exception of Julius Bailey’s 2014 edited book, The Cultural Impact of Kanye West, there has been little scholarly work published on Kanye. Bailey’s book contained just one essay, written by Monica R. Miller, dedicated to the theme of Kanye and religion. We intended to produce a nontraditional journal issue, partly because Kanye has never adhered to traditional boundaries. We also chose this method because we wanted to provide a document suitable for both academic and popular audiences. Kanye West identifies as a Christian and primarily uses Christian themes in his music, videos, concerts, and messaging.” For more information, please see: https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/jhhs/vol6/iss1/1/.

Farnsworth Presents Research at American Political Science Assn. Conference

September 11, 2019 by jlaiacon

Stephen Farnsworth, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies.

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently presented a co-authored research paper, “Jokes with Impact? Viewers of Late Night Political Comedy, Political Involvement and News Sources,” at the Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association. The paper is a part of a chapter in an upcoming co-authored book, ” Late Night with Donald Trump,” which is scheduled to be published by Routledge in 2020.

Farnsworth has also been quoted in several regional and national news stories:

Virginia Republicans thought calling Ralph Northam ‘Gov. Blackface’ would help them. That’s changed. (The Washington Post; Sfgate.com; The Telegraph)

Va. Senate candidates Rashid and Stuart clash on guns, ERA in first debate (Prince William Times.com)

Stuart, Rashid debate for Senate seat (The Free Lance-Star)

Northern Virginia Communities Remove Jefferson Davis Name from Highway (WVTF)

NRA drops an unusual high dollar donation on Virginia Republican leader’s PAC (Virginia Mercury)

Latest on U.S. Politics (CTV News Channel)

John Bolton Out as Nat’l Security Advisor (CTV News Channel)

NRA looks for backstop in Virginia, pours blood money into Republican House (Daily Kos)

Trump Rally and Opponents (WRVA 1140 AM-96.1 FM)

Aminrazavi Publishes Article

September 11, 2019 by jlaiacon

Mehdi Aminrazavi, Professor of Philosophy and Religion and Co-Director of the Leidecker Center for Asian Studies

Mehdi Aminrazavi, Professor of Philosophy and Religion and Co-Director of the Leidecker Center for Asian Studies, published an article in a peer reviewed journal, “Omar Khayyām on Theodicy: Irreconcilability of the Transcendental and the Imminent,” Journal of Islamic Philosophy, 11(2019): 33-44

Dasgupta Presents at Memory Studies Conference in Spain

September 11, 2019 by jlaiacon

Associate Professor of English Shumona Dasgupta

Shumona Dasgupta, Associate Professor of English, recently presented a paper titled “Everyday Trauma: Memorializing the Indian Partition” at the third annual Memory Studies Conference (MSA) at the Complutense University Madrid, Madrid, Spain (June 25-28, 2019).

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