Professor Nsia-Pepra Teaches Course in South Korea

Dr Kofi Nsia –Pepra and nine ONU students: Sheppard, Victoria Ann; Smithers, Jacob; Zalesak, Samantha; Conley, Casey; Jakab, Bradley; Zehner, Matthew; Amadon, Nicole; Hoffacker, Stephen; and Banfe, Peter attended the Hanyang University International Summer School (HISS), in Seoul South Korea, this summer.

In a globalised world that demands global collaboration and cooperation, Hanyang University has established cooperation with two hundred universities globally, including ONU, and the summer school is aimed to further its globalization efforts and commitment to academic excellence. Hanyang, this summer, hosted over 500 students and faculty with diverse backgrounds from all over including United States, Canada, China, Japan, Middle East, United Kingdom and Germany. The program provided participants with a better understanding of Korea, also known by its historical name of ‘The Land of the Morning Calm’ and Northeast Asian culture and rich history.

The program offered lectures in multiple fields of studies and field trips, including a trip to China, which enhanced students’ personal experiences through domestic and international interactions. The program broadened participants’ perspectives and enhanced their communication, adaptation, respect for other cultures, and networking skills very crucial in a global civil society.

Three ONU student received awards. Sheppard received the best smiling award. Smithers, and Zalesak received the most participating ( both academic and field works) awards.

Dr. Nsia-Pepra taught two courses: Model United Nations and NGOs and Global Civil Society.

The Model UN course provided students with an understanding of the role of the United Nations in world politics. This UN simulation was designed to reinforce the basic principles of the United Nations, such as maintaining international peace and security, developing better relations among nations based on respect, equal rights and self determination of peoples. Students learned the history, structure and functions of the United Nations organization, in addition to practical skills such as parliamentary procedure, writing resolutions, positions papers, public speaking, and negotiating and coalition formation.

The NGOs and Global Civil Society course examined the emerging global civil society constituted by networks, coalitions, partnerships and social movements enhanced by globalization and the convergence of common interests and threats facing state and non state actors in the contemporary globalized. The course further examined the contributions of transnational movements or NGOs to contemporary global fundamental issues such as poverty, environment, human rights, global governance, democracy, conflict resolution, and other global humanitarian tragedies as well as the problems and future of global civil society.

Dr. Nsia-Pepra commented that “This was a very fruitful experience as an international relations scholar and a political comparativist because the program gave me an insightful knowledge on the philosophical, psychological and historical underpinnings of the Korean and Asian political systems. I encourage faculty and students to attend future programs.”

Professor Crawford Teaches Course in China

Dr. Crawford and his wife Sophie spent five weeks in Chengdu China this summer. Crawford applied for a summer teaching position with the United Studies Abroad Consortium and taught a course titled The Great Divergence: Asia and the West to students from various American universities. His presence behind the Great Firewall of China, which blocks blog sites is the primary reason why this blog has been so silent during the summer.

Chengdu, as indicated by the photo at left, is the center of Giant Panda breeding in the People's Republic of China. During their downtime from class, they also visited Xian, an ancient capitol of China, and the location of the world famous Terracotta Warriors, that the first emperor Qin Shi Huangdi had casted to accompany him into the afterlife. They also saw the panda preserve and visited nearby Buddhist monasteries. The food in Sichuan Province, where Chengdu is located, was very spicy, and the weather was hot and humid. While Crawford enjoyed the former, and endured the latter, the experience will bring a great deal of practical experience to his East Asian history classes. He will be offering East Asia to 1800 during the Winter Quarter.

Professor Smith in Tajikistan

Dr. Smith recently returned from the Republic of Tajikistan in Central Asia. Smith received a U.S. Embassy Policy Specialist fellowship from the U.S. Department of State. While there, he was charged with providing the embassy with information regarding the possibility of conflict over water resources in the region, which is his specialty.

Despite his numerous adventures in trying to reach the country, which included dealing with canceled flights, and having to be routed through Riga, Latvia, Smith reported that he enjoyed very much his time in the country. Already a trained Russian linguist, he will continue his language study, and would like to go back again in the future should the opportunity present itself.

To read more about Dr. Smith's adventures, you can read his travel blog here.

HPJ Student Ashleigh Kaleugher Crowned Winner at Miss U.S. Beauties Pageant

Ashleigh Kaleugher, a senior Criminal Justice major, was recently selected as Miss U.S. Beauty at the organization's pageant held in Schaumburg, Illinois in July. According to the pageant website, the purpose of the organization is to "promote the success of the modern woman." Kaleugher's statement on the pageant page attributes her success in her educational career to the time management skills that she adopted when faced by the challenges of her coursework here at ONU. Kaleugher's success, both in the pageant, and in her studies is a good example for all of our students to emulate. She listed her ultimate educational goal as earning her degree in law, and so we will expect big things of her next year! Well done Ashleigh!

Abduvakhabova Receives her Masters Degree

Zebo Abduvakhabova graduated from the University of Cincinnati in June, earning her Masters in Teaching English As a Second Language. Zebo is an integral part of the Saudi Prison Management Certification Program teaching ESL with that program within the HPJ Department.

We all want to congratulate Zebo on her accomplishment! Well done!

The Department Celebrates Professor Scott's Birthday

Students, faculty, and staff avoided the construction and gathered in the HPJ conference room to celebrate Dr. Jo Ann Scott's birthday. Everyone enjoyed cake and offered our best wishes to Dr. Scott, who will spend a busy summer teaching courses for the Saudi Prison Program. Happy Birthday Dr. Scott!

Crawford Grades Advanced Placement U.S. History Exams in Louisville

Dr. Crawford worked as a reader for the Educational Testing Service's AP U.S. History Exams in Louisville, Kentucky. Eight hours a day reading history essays can be grueling, but the experience is invaluable for his work with Social Studies candidates. Outside of the reading, the week is much like a graduate seminar in what is going on in the world of high school Social Studies Education. Crawford was able to interact with practicing teachers from states ranging from Alabama to California, and all points in between. What he learned will be of use to helping ONU candidates in taking their place in the profession.