News Release

Political, Legal Theorist to Speak at Ohio Wesleyan University
Bonnie Honig to Discuss Renewing America at Nov. 10 Sagan National Colloquium Event

October 28, 2009

Bonnie Honig

Photo courtesy of Northwestern University

Each year, the Sagan National Colloquium spotlights an issue of global significance. This year’s theme is “Renewing America for a Global Century: From Theory to Practice at Ohio Wesleyan University.”

The Sarah Rebecca Roland Professor of Political Science at Northwestern University and a research professor at the American Bar Foundation, Honig will challenge “how we think about renewal and how we have conceptualized the issue,” said Sean Kay, Ph.D., coordinator of this year’s Sagan National Colloquium, a professor in the Department of Politics and Government, and coordinator of the International Studies Program.

Other speakers in this year’s series have touched on such themes as America’s position in the world, America’s energy infrastructure, and national and international leadership through service.

Honig is the author of “Political Theory and the Displacement of Politics” and “Emergency Politics: Paradox, Law, Democracy,” released in September. She earned her doctorate from Johns Hopkins University.

In addition to being part of the Sagan National Colloquium, Honig’s presentation is co‐sponsored by Ohio Wesleyan’s Arneson Institute for Practical Politics and Public Affairs and by the Women’s and Gender Studies Program.

During spring semester, Ohio Wesleyan students will draw upon the knowledge shared by Colloquium speakers as they work to translate theory into practice in several new classes. These classes will include:

• “Gender and the Immigrant Experience,” examining how women are uniquely positioned as migrants in the global economy. Students enrolled in the course will visit immigrant and refugee communities in Columbus, and may, for example, work with Somali refugees to help them pass their citizenship tests, or tutor an Ethiopian child in English.
• “The Vietnam Experience,” introducing students to the history, culture, and politics of Vietnam from 1940 to 1975. Students will travel to Vietnam in May 2010 as part of the experience.
• “Political/Social Cabaret,” drawing students from across academic disciplines to study the literature, history, and practice of 20th century and 21st century political/social cabaret and agit-prop theatre. Students will write and perform in their own contemporary political and social material.
• “International Competition and Cooperation in the Exploration of Space,” tracing the development of space exploration by all participating nations while focusing on future, global possibilities.
• “Biofuels,” focusing on biofuel development from the molecular and cell biological levels, and including discussions about the manufacturing and engineering challenges associated with biofuel production and distribution. Students will travel to a biofuel research laboratory facility.
• “The Mexican Migration Experience,” involving a detailed study of Mexican migration to the United States. Students will travel to Mexico to stay with host families, meet with political leaders, and attend lectures, tours, and other meetings.

Ohio Wesleyan University is an undergraduate liberal arts college that transforms the lives of its students through a combination of rigorous academics, mentoring relationships, and real-world experiences. Featured in the book “Colleges That Change Lives,” the private university’s 1,850 students come from 45 states and 57 countries. Visit www.owu.edu for more information.