Events in McLaughlin College

Monday, March to Friday, March 20:  Exhibition in McLaughlin Gallery (001 MC):  Journeys.  An opening reception will be held on Monday March 9^th from 5:00-9:00 pm with food and drinks.  The Artist featured is Deidre Ricardo, who is working with the curator Peter Dawson.  The exhibition is titled “Journeys” because it is based on the artist’s summer in Europe.  It is a combination of printings and photographs.  This is a student-run studio and exhibition.

Thursday, March 12 (11:00am - 8:00pm, Winters Dining Hall, 001 Winters College): Conference on the Democratic Republic of Congo, “How much do you know about DR Congo?” From 1996 to today the ongoing civil war in the East of DR Congo has killed more than 5 million human beings. More than 1 million women are sexually violated among them; children of less than 5 years old and ladies of more than 70 years old. The world ecosystem is suffering since the D.R Congo has ¾ of African forest and 2/5 of the world forest. 900,000 people are victims of internal forced displacement and thousands of external refugees around the world. Co-sponsored by the following York University departments:  McLaughlin College, Founders College, Stong College, the Council of the Masters, and the Centre for Human Rights, with support from the International Development Studies Program, the African Studies Program, the York Federation of Students, and the York University Black Students’ Alliance.

Tuesday, March 17:  Encounter Canada: A Symposium on Free Speech on University Campuses, Room 001 Vanier College (The Renaissance)

12:00 Susan Dimock, “Free Speech, Academic Freedom, and the Role of Universities”
Susan Dimock is Professor of Philosophy at York University and Director of the York Centre for Practical Ethics. She holds BAs in Philosophy and History from the University of New Brunswick, an MA in Philosophy from York University, and a Ph.D. from Dalhousie University. Her teaching and research interests are in moral and political philosophy, philosophy of law, legal and public service ethics. She is the editor of textbooks on Philosophy of Law and Applied Ethics, and has published articles on punishment theory, liberalism, ethical theory and many issues in applied ethics and philosophy of law.
1:00 Ian Greene, “The Supreme Court’s decision in Keegstra and Restraints on Free Speech”
Ian Greene is Master of McLaughlin College at York University, and the director of the Masters program in Public Policy, Administration and Law.  He has been teaching political science, public administration, and law at York University since 1985, and prior to that he worked for the Alberta public service.  Greene is author or co-author of six books, including The Courts (2006) and The Charter of Rights (1989). He is author of about 30 academic articles or book chapters.
2:00 Stephen Newman, “Why classroom speech isn’t always free speech”
Stephen Newman is Associate Professor of Political Science at York University where he teaches courses on the history of political thought and contemporary political theory.  He earned a B.A. in History and Political Science from the University of Rochester and was awarded the Ph.D. in Government from Cornell University.  He is the author of Liberalism at Wits' End: The Libertarian Revolt Against the Modern State and editor of Constitutional Politics in Canada and the United States.  He has published articles on early American political thought, contemporary liberal theory, religion and politics, and the freedom of expression.  
3:15 Noël Badiou, “Freedom of expression in a Human Rights world”
Noël Badiou obtained a BA from le Collège Universitaire de Saint Boniface in Manitoba and LLB from l’Université de Moncton in New Brunswick. He recently completed a Masters of Public Administration through the joint University of Winnipeg/University of Manitoba programme. He learned about conducting unbiased, neutral and fair investigations as a Complaints Investigator with the Discipline Department at the Law Society of Manitoba. Noël later became the Manager of Investigations and Mediations with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission and then Executive Director with the Court Challenges Program of Canada. The Court Challenges Program was a federally funded programme that provided test case funding with respect to equality rights and language rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In 2006 the CCP was cancelled by the federal government and as it wound down, a new opportunity arose with the Centre for Human Rights at York University, and Noël is now its Director. His knowledge and work experience has reinforced his core belief that respect for human rights are integral to a healthy and democratic society.
4:15 Wayne Sumner, “Hate Speech and the Law”
Wayne Sumner received his doctorate from Princeton University and is currently University Professor Emeritus in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Toronto.  His teaching and research interests are in ethical theory, bioethics (especially end-of-life issues), political philosophy, and philosophy of law.  He is the author of Abortion and Moral Theory (1981), The Moral Foundation of Rights (1987), Welfare, Ethics, and Happiness (1996), and The Hateful and the Obscene: Studies in the Limits of Free Expression (2004).
5:00 Reception

Wednesday, March 18 (noon, 140 McL): Sheridy Leslie, BA (Hon.) and BSc. (Hon): Experiencing Intercultural Dialogue for the Sake of Diversity. In its most basic sense, intercultural dialogue on diversity is an on-going process that aims to unite culture, language, and the art of conversation that openly addresses issues of cross-cultural importance. Merely entering a discussion with a person of another culture, religion, or society is only a small fraction of what this kind of dialogue is capable of achieving.  This talk will serve as an introduction to some of the many local and international opportunities available to Canadian youth (e.g. ages 18-30) who are interested in learning about how engaging in intercultural dialogues can help change the world we live in for the better. For example, some of these experiences include: International exchanges and conferences (CIVICUS), examining issues of genocide and injustice from its historical roots abroad (March of Remembrance and Hope), using workshops on intercultural dialogue on diversity as a tool against the spread of local and global injustice (Education for Change), and through the creation of open spaces for international youth dialogue both online and offline (TakingITGlobal and the Youth Advisory Group of the Canadian Commission of UNESCO).

Thursday, March 19 (noon, 014 McLaughlin (Junior Common Room):
Anti-Racism at the University and in society -- Details to follow

Thursday, March 19 (2:00- 4:00pm, 140 McL):  Designing Federal Law: The Courthouses in Massachusetts and Puerto Rico. John Brigham Political Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. This project considers the federal courthouse building-boom of the late 20th and early 21st century in the United States as an extension of national authority. The focus is on a particular jurisdiction, the 1st Circuit, and two new designer courts, the Moakley Courthouse in Boston designed by Henry Cobb and the Springfield District Court designed by Moshe Safdie.
Construction of these buildings has implications for the four New England States in the Circuit and Puerto Rico. The treatment suggests different political orientations in these places, which are affected by the increased federal presence. These courthouses are also particular cases of a larger phenomenon in which billions of dollars have been spent on federal courts with little public discussion.
John Brigham is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and a former Trustee of the Law and Society Association. He has published in the area of constitutional law, social movements and legal architecture. His books include Material Law: A Jurisprudence of What’s Real (Temple Univ. Press, 2009) and The Constitution of Interests: Beyond the Politics of Rights (NYU Press, 1996).

Monday, March 23 (noon, 140 McL): Zachary Gutfreund has both a Masters of Political Science and a Specialized Honours B.A. from York University.  His academic interests have focused primarily on Canada and have included studies in federal and provincial politics and governance, as well as Aboriginal affairs.  Zachary’s Masters MRP focused on the ‘duty to consult’ and investigated Ontario’s experience with its constitutional obligations towards Aboriginal peoples.  In addition to political science, Zachary is an avid music fan and plays guitar in a rock band based in Toronto.

The ‘duty to consult’ is an obligation placed upon the Crown in its dealings with Aboriginal peoples.  Expressed and defined through a number of Supreme Court of Canada decisions, the ‘duty to consult’ requires that the Crown consult with potentially affected Aboriginal communities prior to the Crown undertaking any action or decision that may adversely affect Aboriginal or Treaty rights.  My research examines whether the ‘duty to consult’ as expressed by the Supreme Court, protects the rights and interests of Aboriginal peoples.  Through an examination of the Supreme Court’s pronouncement of the duty, as well as its application in the Province of Ontario, my research reveals that while the Province of Ontario may be making a genuine effort in meeting its ‘duty to consult’, the duty itself is unable to ensure the protection of Aboriginal and Treaty rights

Thursday, April 2 (noon, Location- TBA): Rwanda Conference -- co-sponsored by McLaughlin, Founders and Stong ---Details to follow

Friday, April 3 (noon, Location- TBA): Rwanda Conference -- co-sponsored by McLaughlin, Founders and Stong ---Details to follow

Wednesday, April 15 (noon, 140 McL): “Financial Crisis”. Dr. Brenda Spotton Visano, Professor Spotton Visano is a Professor of Economics, and a member of the Economics, Social and Political Thought, and Sociology Graduate Programs where she teaches and researches in the areas of macroeconomics, monetary theory and policy, banking, and economic sociology. She holds a PhD in Economics from McGill University. She is the author of Financial Crises: Socioeconomic Causes and Institutional Context (Routledge, 2006) as well as several articles on financial instability and crises, monetary policy, and the evolution of financial institutions.  Sponsored by McLaughlin College and the Council of Masters.

Wednesday, April 22:  Annual Fellows Dinner, Estates of Sunnybrooke, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, April 24 (noon, 140 McL): Tony Genco: “Progress on the Park”, Tony Genco, President and CEO of Downsview Park Inc.

Wednesday, May 6 (7 p.m., Junior Common Room):  "The Mid-Point in York's First Century:  Perspectives on Sustainability and the Future of Humankind."  David V. J Bell, Professor Emeritus and Former Dean, Faculty of Environmental Studies, will present this talk as part of York’s 50^th Anniversary Master’s Lecture Series.
 
The mid point of York’s first century coincides with the mid-point of the UN Decade for Education for Sustainable Development [UNDESD 2005 - 2014].  This is an ideal time to reflect on the educational ideas and socio-political circumstances of York’s founding  in order to focus on the contrasting – and critically urgent – sustainability challenges and opportunities of the next 50 years. I will talk about the role of education and York University in helping society develop an appropriate culture of sustainability that would allow humankind to flourish beyond the next century.

Thursday, May 7: Chancellor Roy McMurtry will present the Annual McLaughlin Public Policy Lecture (Time – 5 - 6 pm., Location- TBA) - Details to follow