Great Decisions lecture series returns Jan. 23
1/9/2012 3:15:53 PM
(Jan. 9, 2012) The Great Decisions lecture series, an annual discussion program produced by the Foreign Policy Association and presented by North Georgia College & State University, returns for the third consecutive year beginning Monday, Jan. 23.
The eight-week series will run Jan. 23 through March 15 in Forsyth and Hall counties. The series offers participants the opportunity to explore global issues impacting our economy and world politics with the university's expert faculty members. This year's topics range Middle East realignment to energy geopolitics. The second half of each program is set aside for audience questions and discussion.
All sessions will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and participation is free and open to the public.
In Hall County, the series will be held on Mondays at the Gainesville Civic Center, located at 830 Green St. in Gainesville. The series will be held on Thursdays in Forsyth County at the Cumming Library at 585 Dahlonega Road in Cumming. Last year's sessions each drew 50 to 75 people at each location.
The national Great Decisions editorial board selects eight new topics each year, based on the most pressing global issues and regions. The topics are featured in an accompanying briefing book, which will be available for sale at each of the upcoming discussion sessions but is not required for participation. The topics also are featured in the Great Decisions Television Series airing nationally on PBS stations. Information for additional study and research, including online resources and suggested reading, on all eight topics also is available on the Foreign Policy Association website.
This year's sessions are:
Jan. 23 and Jan. 26: Middle East realignment with Dr. Victoria Hightower, assistant professor of history
Jan. 30 and Feb. 2: Cyber security with Dr. Bryson Payne, professor of computer science and North Georgia's chief information officer
Feb. 6 and Feb. 9: Promoting democracy with Dr. Jonathan Miner, associate professor of political science
Feb. 13 and Feb. 16: Exit from Afghanistan and Iraq with Dr. Chris Jespersen, dean of the School of Arts & Letters
Feb. 20 and Feb. 23: Indonesia with Dr. J.T. Kwon, assistant professor of political science
Feb. 27 and March 1: Mexico with Dr. Tamara Spike, associate professor of history
March 5 and March 8: State of the oceans with Dr. Nancy Dalman, chair of the Department of Biology
March 12 and March 15: Energy geopolitics with Dr. Anna Rulska, assistant professor of political science