MSU Tuesday Bulletin, 01/25/05
THE TUESDAY BULLETIN
Issue No. 3, Spring 2005
January 25, 2005
Weekly News from the AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY 100 INTERNATIONAL CENTER
EAST LANSING MI 48824-1035
For back issues, see archive <http://africa.msu.edu>
BULLETIN CONTENTS
EVENTS
MSU ANNOUNCEMENTS
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONFERENCES
JOBS
EVENTS
January 27, Thursday
"The Introduction of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potatoes to Reduce Vitamin A Deficiency in
Mozambique: A Case Study in Gaza," African Studies Center Brown Bag talk with Richard
Bernsten, Professor, Agricultural Economics (MSU), 12:00 noon, Room 201, International
Center.
February 3, Thursday
"Education and Training in the Context of a Global Labor Market; Who Gains and Who
Loses? The Case of Zimbabwe," African Studies Center Brown Bag talk with Albert Natsa,
Faculty (Univ. of Zimbabwe), 12:00 noon, Room 201, International Center.
MSU ANNOUNCEMENTS
African Studies Center Application for Foreign
Language and Area Studies (FLAS) 2005-06
The African Studies Center at MSU is now accepting
on-line applications for FLAS fellowships for academic
year 2005-06 and for the 2005 Summer Cooperative
African Language Institute (SCALI). The FLAS
fellowship is funded by the U.S. Department of
Education Title VI program for the study of African
languages and non-language courses on Africa.
Detailed information on the fellowship, and on-line
application guidelines and forms are available on the
Center's website: http://africa.msu.edu/. Applicants who
can not access the on-line forms can either use the
printable PDF files available at the bottom of the
application form webpage or contact the African Studies
Center at (517) 353-1700; or e-mail: africa@msu.edu.
The deadline for submitting applications to the Center
is February 18, 2005. In accordance with the Title VI
centers' agreement of rotating summer course offerings
under SCALI, African languages study in summer 2005
will be hosted by Indiana University-Bloomington. For
more information visit the following website:
http://www.indiana.edu/afrist/scali1.html.
MSU Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship
The Michigan State University Chapter of The Honor
Society of Phi Kappa Phi is inviting outstanding senior
PKP students and graduates who have not begun
graduate work to submit applications for the National
Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship Competition. Sixty
competitive Fellowships of $5,000 each and forty
$2,000 Awards of Excellence will be awarded for the
2005-2006 academic year. All national nominees
receive a one-year active membership in Phi Kappa Phi.
The criteria considered in the competition are: 1)
undergraduate academic performance; 2) leadership and
service on the campus and in the community; 3)
evidence of graduate potential; 4) personal statement of
educational perspective, purpose and objectives; and 5)
letters of recommendation from three individuals who
can attest to the applicant's performance and character.
Contact Tina Houghton, the Michigan State University
Phi Kappa Phi representative at pkp041@msu.edu;
Phone: (517) 432-2500; Fax: (517) 355-4565 for further
details. Applications must be received in the MSU
Chapter office by February 1, 2005.
Film course, Second half of Spring semester 2005
Two-credit Film Course, March 17-April 28, 2005
AL 492: "Remembering the Past, Celebrating the
- Present
- Perspectives on South Africa @10." The world
is celebrating South Africa for its 10 years of one of the
most extraordinary and relatively peaceful transitions
from racial injustice to democratic rule. The MSU
African Studies faculty proposes a two-credit course on
South African film and video to expose MSU
undergraduates to the rich history and vibrant present of
South Africa. Built with two key South African visitors
and several faculty experts on South Africa and its
media, the seven-session course will begin after MSU's
spring break. For more information contact David
Wiley or John Metzler in the MSU African Studies
Center; phone: 353-1700.
Soweto Gospel Choir - MSU Wharton Center
The 32-member Soweto Gospel choir will share their
vibrant and colorful culture of South Africa on Sunday,
February 20, 2005 at 4:00 p.m.
The choir along with thrilling drummers and dancers
offer a musical cornucopia of traditional African gospel
and modern western spirituals sung in six of Soweto's
11 languages. Please visit the Soweto Gospel Choir's
web-site at: http://www.sowetogospelchoir.com/
The African Studies Center will have a limited number
of tickets available soon (the first 50 sold are the very
best seats). Ticket cost is $16.50. Contact Lisa Frugé
at the African Studies Center to reserve your tickets.
Tickets are also available through the Wharton Center
Box Office. Call 1-800-WHARTON or (517) 432-2000.
MSU Job posting - Sociocultural Anthropologist
The Department of Anthropology at Michigan State
University invites applications for a tenure track,
Assistant Professor position in Sociocultural
Anthropology, specializing in Muslim Societies. The
university seeks applications from individuals who hold
a PhD in Sociocultural anthropology, and whose
research focuses on Muslim societies of the Middle
East, Africa, South Asia, or Southeast Asia. The
candidate should specialize in at least some of the
following areas: gender, identity, ethnicity, meaning,
global-local interfaces. Candidates must demonstrate
extramural funding experience. Responsibilities include
teaching and development of curriculum in
Anthropology (including four courses per academic
year, specialty as well as introductory, general, and
interdisciplinayr courses), advising graduate and
undergraduate students, and pursuing research interests.
The position begins August 16, 2005; the application
deadline is February 28, 2005. Send a letter of
application, vitae, and names of three references to:
Muslim Societies Search Committee, Department of
Anthropology, 354 Baker Hall, Michigan State
University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1118. Direct
inquiries to William Derman at derman@msu.edu.
Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra
The Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra will
perform at the MSU Wharton Center for Performing
Arts (The Great Hall) on Friday, March 25, 2005 at 8:00
p.m.
Led by pianist Arturo O'Farrill, the acclaimed Afro-
Latin Jazz Orchestra is comprised of 18 prominent
soloists from the Latin Jazz scene. Wynton Marsalis,
artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, urged
O'Farrill to create the ALJO to continue the innovations
of musicians like Mario Bauza, Machito, and O'Farrill's
father, the late Chico O'Farrill.
Tickets are available from Clyde Hanna at the Wharton
Center. Please call (517) 353-1982, ext. 122. Ticket
cost is $5.00.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Commercial Service to Reduce Foreign Accents in
English -East Lansing, Michigan
Visit http://www.leslie2k.com to learn more about
accent reduction tutoring. The information page on
Accent Reduction has a free translation service link on
the page for those with limited English.
There will be 20 sessions. Clients will receive 1 hour of
1 on 1 tutoring and ½ hour of Conversational English.
Additionally, they will have exclusive use to audio files
for at-home practice. For cost and other information
contact Katie or Bill Eubank at (517) 337-5004 or e-
mail: tutor4internationals@yahoo.com.
CONFERENCES
37th Annual Liberian Studies Association Conf.
The 37th Annual Liberian Studies Association
Conference will be hosted at Western Michigan
University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, from March 31-
April 3, 2005. The focus this year is: "Dominant
Themes in Liberian Studies from Pre-Liberia to the
Present." For more information, contact: Dr. Phyllis M.
Belt-Beyan, College of Education, TLL, 3418 Sangren
Hall, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo,
Michigan 49008; Phone: (269) 387-3898; e-mail:
phyllis.belt-beyan@wmich.edu; or Dr. Amos J. Beyan,
Department of History, 4453 Friedmann Hall, Western
Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008;
Phone: (269) 387-2664; e-mail:
amos.beyan@wmichi.edu.
International Conference and Workshop on Ethics
and Development - April 8-15, 2005
Michigan State University will host this three-part
International Conference and Workshop entitled: "The
Capabilities Approach in Practice." Speakers include
Onora O'Neill, Des Gasper, Nigel Dower, Sakiko
Fukuda-Parr, David Crocker, Asun St. Clair, Dan Little,
Paul Thompson, renowned filmmaker Mandy Jacobson,
and others.
The purpose of this conference is to explore the practical
value of the Capability Approach, first initiated by
Nobel laureate Amartya K. Sen. In addition,
participants will be discussing how best to move forward
with a new interdisciplinary doctoral specialization in
ethics and development at Michigan State University.
For registration and conference information, go to:
http://www.msu.edu/unit/phl/devconference/EthDev.h
tm or contact Drew Pierce at phone:(517) 353-8860/
355-4490; fax: (517-432-1320; e-mail:
piercea2@msu.edu.
2nd African Finance Journal Conference
Call for Papers - The Africa Centre for Investment
Analysis (University of Stellenbosch Business School,
South Africa) in partnership with the African Finance
Journal and the African Finance Association will host
a conference on the theme: "Promoting Development
Finance Research in Africa."
Scholars and practitioners with an interest on this
subject are encouraged to submit papers for
presentation. Selected papers will be published in a
special issue of the African Finance Journal. The
emphasis of the conference will be on high-quality,
theoretical and applied research focusing on issues
relevant to emerging markets finance which has special
relevance to Africa. Some of the areas of focus (not
exclusively) are the following: Emerging Stock Markets
Research; Microfinance in Emerging Economies;
Emerging Corporate Finance; Commodities Markets
Research; Emerging Bond Markets Research; Emerging
Banking Research; Corporate Governance; Regulatory
Issues in Africa; SMME Finance; Issues on Basel II
Accord; FDI and Portfolio Investment in Africa; and
Other areas of development finance.
Deadline for the submission of abstracts is May 2, 2005
and for full papers, June 13, 2005. All abstract and full
paper should be sent to Claire De Sousa at
Claireds@acia.sun.ac.za; Tel: ++27-21-918 4245 or
Fax: ++27-21-918 4262.
JOBS
Government Research - Sub-Saharan Africa Studies
Vacancy Announcement #WTST04290287
Application Deadline February2, 2005
The 4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne) at
Ft. Bragg, North Carolina has an intelligence analyst
position (GG-0132 series) open for a qualified
individual interested in conducting research in sub-
Saharan Africa regional studies. The successful
candidate will work with a team of civilian specialists
writing studies 20-40 pages in length and must also be
able to work closely with U.S. and possibly foreign
military personnel. Candidates should have a thorough
background in the history, politics, and culture of the
region and must be willing to travel within the United
States and abroad. Prior residence in sub-Saharan
Africa is extremely desirable.
Required qualifications:
- U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain a SECRET
level security clearance;
- A graduate degree in a relevant social science
discipline (including history). A Ph.D. is preferred but
not required;
- Proficiency in French, Portuguese or a sub-Saharan
African language and;
- The ability to conduct solid research and write clearly
in English.
The official announcement, with application instructions
and links, can be found at the following websites:
http://www.usajobs.opm.gov;
http://cpolrhp.belvoir.army.mil/west/; and
http://acpol.army.mil/. Enter WTST04290287 for
search by Keyword or Announcement Number.
Applicants must have a resume in the US Army's central
RESUMIX database in order to be considered for this
government position. Applicants should apply by using
the US Government resume builder site that can be
found linked to the official vacancy announcement or at:
http://cpolrhp.belvoir.army.mil/west/.
From this page select "Employment Information" and
then "RESUMIX Applicant's Kit." When entering your
resume please make sure to answer the applicable
questions on the Supplemental Data Sheet. For Question
#8 on the Supplemental Data Sheet, if you have no prior
military or government service, check the block for
"Non Status Eligible." Follow the directions at the end
of the Resume Builder to send your resume to the
Central Resumix Database.
If you have specific questions concerning the position at
Ft. Bragg or have trouble filling out the RESUMIX
form, you are encouraged to contact Dr. Jeffrey Griffith,
at (910) 432-4027 or by email at: griffjef@soc.mil
<mailto:griffjef@soc.mil>. Application deadline is
February 2, 2005.
Page Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar, Ph.D.