The 2000 presidential election, which awarded the popular vote loser the presidency, raised questions about the Electoral College as the proper method for electing the President. One response has been the movement for the National Vote Interstate Compact which would indirectly shift the nation to a national popular vote system of electing the President; California's ratification of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact during the summer of 2011 gave the agreement half of the electoral votes it would need to go into effect. This week's Forum--"NPVIC: Is the Electoral College Still Good for America?"--will explain why the system was developed and examine if it is still beneficial. It will be co-facilitated by Jacob Porter '13 and Dr. Duff Campbell, Associate Professor of Mathematics.

 The popularity of World War I-era British drama Downton Abbey, particularly in the United States, has caught many media observers off-guard. This week's Project Pericles forum--"Downton Abbey: Why Does It Resonate with 21st-Century America?"--will examine the basis of the ardent enthusiasm for the show. It will be co-facilitated by Dr. Carol West, professor of English, and Dr. Kristi McKim, assistant professor of English/Film Studies

Just over a year after the first events in what became the Arab Spring, parts of the region shows some evidence for successful democratization while others offer more disconcerting signals. This week’s Forum – “A Year After the Arab Spring: Still Signs of Hope?” – will be facilitated by Dr. Kiril Kolev and Ambassador Al Eastham.

 This Forum is co-sponsored with the Committee on Diversity Concerns. Some have raised concerns about whether the campus culture of Hendrix (both inside and outside the classroom) is one in which politically conservative members of the community can feel comfortable in voicing their opinions. In aiming for tolerance and inclusiveness, has Hendrix overlooked, marginalized, and even silenced the conservative minority on campus? The Forum—facilitated by Committee chair Dr. Carol West and Professor Lyle Rupert and titled “Being Conservative at Hendrix: Is There Liberal Intolerance?”

 Democratic upheavals in the Middle East continue unabated. However, the situation in Libya has degenerated into a true humanitarian crisis. With Qaddafi and his supporters clinging to power, how should the international community respond? While many argue that an international response along the lines of the “Responsibility to Protect” framework is essential, others suggest intervention would be difficult and potentially may backfire and fuel a long-lasting civil war. Dr. Daniel Whelan, Assistant Professor of Politics and International Relations, will lead this week’s Project Pericles Forum--“The Promises and Pitfalls of the Responsibility to Protect: What’s the Answer for Libya?”

 Over Fall break weekend, a dozen Hendrix students traveled to some of the most important sites in civil rights history to learn more about the movement. This week’s Project Pericles Forum, facilitated by trip coordinator Dean Jim Wiltgen and involving students from the trip, will provide an opportunity for the community to hear a brief overview of the trip and, more importantly, to grapple with some of the important questions that it inspired. The Forum—”The Civil Rights Movement in 2011: Is the Dream Still Alive?”--will grapple with issues such as the progress (and limitations) in American society in the area of civil rights, the role that students can (and should) continue to play as agents of social change, and whether Hendrix College needs a symbol (such as a “wall of tolerance”) for highlighting the continued struggle for civil rights.

 

 The fast-changing events in Egypt have captured the attention of the world in the past several days. America’s decades-long support of the Egyptian regime has placed it in a difficult spot as that regime has violated principles of democracy and civil liberties that the United States espouses. This week’s Project Pericles Forum will examine the meaning of the events in Egypt and the appropriate response of the Obama Administration. The Forum-- “The Promise and Peril of the Egyptian Crisis: How Should the United States Respond?”-- will be facilitated by Dr. Ian King, Cabe Distinguished Professor of Politics and International Relations.

 With a particular eye to how the United States and other members of the international community should respond, the tensions on the Korean Peninsula serve as the focus of this week’s Project Pericles Forum, the last of the semester. Dr. Daniel Whelan, assistant professor of International Relations, and Zach Klein ‘10 will facilitate the Forum, “’Speak Softly or Carry A Big Stick?’: Responding to the Crisis on the Korean Peninsula.”

 In collaboration with the Environmental Concerns Committee, this week’s Project Pericles Forum will focus on agricultural practices in the early 21st century. While many critique the large-scale industrial farming that has brought heavy pesticide use, land degradation, and economic hardship for family farmers, others emphasize its ability to effectively feed a large nation with lower prices. On the other hand, small-scale, organic, local farming offers greater variety, richer flavor, environmental sustainability, and an arguably healthier food option, but this comes at a higher price than industrial food and is not as efficiently or conveniently available to consumers, especially those with limited incomes. Dr. Stella Capek, professor of sociology, will facilitate this Forum--”Food Fights: What Should Agriculture Look Like Today?”

 While each election cycle is described as “more intense” and “more bitter” than previous ones, the 2010 election cycle is indeed noteworthy by including rhetoric (in candidate speeches and advertising) that veers into personal matters that traditionally would not have been touched in a campaign. This rhetoric includes candidates’ questioning of their opponents’ religious practices and religious values, their “manliness,” their sex habits, and even their hairstyles. Professor Mike Pelz — Visiting Assistant Professor of Politics — will facilitate the Forum: “Election 2010: Should `Anything Go’ in Modern Politics or Has the Line of Appropriateness Been Crossed?”

This week’s Forum is “Ground Zero: What Explains the Intense Response to the Islamic Center?” The proposal for a Islamic Center to be housed near the site of the Twin Towers, the so-called “Ground Zero Mosque,” has provoked a debate that shows the freshness of the 9/11 attacks just under nine years after that day. This Forum will investigate the sources—and the legitimacy—of the reaction to the proposal. Dr. Peter Gess, Director of International Programs and Assistant Professor of Politics, will serve as the facilitator of this week’s Forum.