Colloquium Archives
In this series of past lectures, distinguished members of the University of Idaho community presented and described their approach to teaching and research. These lectures explored the specific subjects and methodologies that define the disciplines within which the speakers work.
Defending the Homeland: A New Partnership for Peace and Security, Lil 'Doc' Alessa (Jan. 18, 2022)
The phrase “homeland security” conjures up a plethora of images that range from popular television shows to armed border guards. Prof. Alessa explores the different meanings and realities of “homeland” and “security” across a plurality of concepts and constructs. She also discusses how academia can contribute in meaningful ways to ensuring that our nation remains resilient and peaceful.
Populism, Progressive Elites and the Notion of 'Caviar Left' in Peru: Joseph Feldman (Jan. 25, 2022)
Izquierda caviar (“caviar left”) is a term in Peru that describes privileged actors who advocate for progressive causes. The label is typically employed by right-wing commentators to criticize politicians, intellectuals, and activists. An analysis of uses of “caviar” in Peruvian newspapers draws attention to the way the term comes to refer to the pursuit of wealth and influence through an embrace of progressive ideals and projects.
The Art of Being Fashionably Late: Ken Udas (Feb. 1, 2022)
Vice Provost Ken Udas provides an update on current capacity development activities and plans for digital learning and online programming at the University of Idaho. Udas raises some considerations of how the U of I might transition from its fashionably late arrival to online learning into being unfashionably early to the next movement.
Animal Disease Regulations in Montana: Kerri Keller Clement (Feb. 8, 2022)
Kerri Keller Clement, University of Idaho History Department, discusses an example of post-World War II anti-government movements based in animal disease regulations in Montana and the consequences of that resistance to government regulations in later decades.
Anachronism in Public Law and Political Theory, Cody Trojan (Feb. 15, 2022)
This talk addresses how a recent Supreme Court case that granted employment protections for LGBTQ Americans helps us to appreciate fundamental dilemmas in legal interpretation. Cody Trojan is a postdoctoral fellow affiliated with the Department of Politics and Philosophy at the University of Idaho.
IPCC's Latest Report: Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation & Vulnerability, Jeff Hicke (March 1, 2022)
The Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Working Group II discusses impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. Prof. Hicke draws from global and North American examples to highlight the main findings of the report.
Connecting Climate and Idaho’s Economy: The Idaho Climate-Economy Impacts Assessment (March 8, 2022)
The Assessment connects the latest scientific research on Idaho’s changing climate with economic risks and opportunities affecting businesses, residents, and local and state economies. This presentation presents findings on human health, agriculture, fish, rangelands, and recreation/tourism.
Community History in the Time of COVID: Stories of Moscow's Last Video Store
University of Idaho Library staff and volunteers have conducted an oral history project addressing the Main Street Video Co-op, the last independent video store in Moscow. The U of I Library acquired the store’s remaining videos. This session describes the process of conducting an oral history project during the pandemic.
An Overview of Idaho Courts: Judge Molly Huskey (March 29, 2022)
Judge Huskey describes how Idaho's district, Court of Appeals and Supreme Court judgeships were created and how those positions are appointed. She also addressed considerations the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court address when deciding cases.
Protestant Educational Mission in West China: Vanguard of What? Jeff Kyong-McClain (April 12, 2022)
Using West China Union University as an example, this presentation considers whether we should see mission schools of Anglophone Protestant missionaries as outposts of global modernity, which was changing all corners of the globe in similar though ambivalent ways.
Stories of Fire: The Confluence Lab and Narrative Science Communication (April 26, 2022)
How can we leverage the power of stories to enhance science communication efforts? This presentation offers findings of relevance to that question from our National Science Foundation - Advancing Informal STEM Learning pilot and feasibility study, “Stories of Fire: Integrated Learning Through Participatory Narratives,” which explored the efficacy of using personal narratives of wildland fire in informal STEM learning in rural Idaho.