Vol. 14, No. 2 - Sept. 8, 2009

Peggy McGuinness of the University of Missouri Law School will speak on “Transnationalism and the Constitution: The Globalization of Rights,” from 7-9 p.m. Sept. 17 in Magruder Hall 2001.

McGuinness will explore how globalization is leading to a convergence among legal systems. In particular, she will examine the current debate over whether and to what extent U.S. courts should look to developments in foreign and international law to resolve legal conflicts in the United States. This session is part of Truman’s observance of Constitution Day.

After a career in the Foreign Service with postings in Germany, Pakistan, Canada and Washington D.C., McGuinness was awarded her juris doctorate from Stanford Law School in 1999. Since her appointment to the University of Missouri her articles and presentations have included such titles as "The Progress and Paradox of Security Multilateralism," "Peace v. Justice," "The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Origins of Debate," "Women as Architects of Peace," "Gender and the Resolution of Armed Conflict," "Guantanamo Detainee Decisions," "Implications for International Law" and many more. McGuinness specializes in public international law, international human rights and humanitarian law, and foreign affairs and the Constitution. Her weblog is OpinioJuris http://opiniojuris.org. 

The Truman graphic design group AIGA will sponsor guest speaker David Gibson, graphic designer, co-founder, and managing principal of Two Twelve Associates of New York City, at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 15 in Violette Hall. 

In his presentation, Redesigning America’s Future, Gibson will discuss his experiences working with his clients to use design as a force for positive change in the public realm. 

Best known for his environmental graphic design work, Gibson is author of “The Wayfinding Handbook: Information Design for Public Places,” published earlier this year by Princeton Architectural Press. 

The creative leader behind wayfinding and signage systems for the Princeton University campus and the Atlanta Federal Center complex, The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Downtown Brooklyn, the Durham Department of Parks & Recreation and the Sound Transit system in Seattle, David is also a co-founder of Public Design Lab, a network of communications professionals devoted to helping U.S. citizens access the public information and civic services they need to live, work, and learn.

He believes, "We deserve a government that’s efficient, effective, and respectful. Today it’s easy, even enjoyable, to buy an iPod, track a package, or bank online. In contrast, using our most vital public services—Social Security, Medicare, Veterans Administration benefits, and more—can be a time-consuming, humiliating nightmare. Americans design great products and service experiences in the private sector; it’s time to bring the same know-how to the public sector."  

Gibson will discuss his thoughts on how better communication design can be used for the benefit of citizens to make public systems more transparent, understandable and accessible, in the process to improve the quality of public life and make our democracy more engaging and inclusive. 

Informational meetings for Sacred Sites in Greece, a 6-credit-hour Summer 2010 study abroad class, will take place at 6 p.m. Sept 15 in Student Union Building Spanish Room; 5 p.m. Sept. 16 in SUB 3204; and 6 p.m. Sept. 29 in SUB 3203. See photos from previous Greece trips, go over the itinerary for the next class, planned for May 12-June 5, 2010, and discuss ways to finance the program. This year’s trip includes a week on Mykonos with a visit to the Sacred Island of Delos. For more information, contact Steven Reschly, department chair and professor of history, at sdr@truman.edu or 785.4648.

5-8 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 10
Downtown Kirksville

Kirksville businesses are inviting all new Truman, A.T. Still University and Moberly Area Community College students Downtown for a Kirksville welcome.
Businesses, churches and organizations will have tables set up on the courthouse lawn offering coupons, product samples and more.
There will be free live entertainment and food. Contact the Kirksville Chamber of Commerce at 660.665.3766 for more information.
Show Truman ID for free food, served 5-7 p.m.

The Women’s and Gender Studies Committee invites abstracts from all members of the Truman and Kirksville communities, including Truman graduates now residing elsewhere. Internationalist points of view are especially welcome. Send abstracts to Linda Seidel, Department of English, Truman State University, Kirksville, MO 63501 or lseidel@truman.edu. Be sure to include your name, return address, phone number, and e-mail address (if you have one). Don’t forget to give your abstract a title. Deadline: Sept. 15.

Truman’s Fifteenth Annual WGST Conference

Oct. 29-31

A Physics Colloquium event will take place at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 9 in Violette Hall 1000. John Hauptman, from the Iowa State University Department of Physics and Astronomy, will present  “New ideas for big detectors in high energy physics.” The big detectors in high energy physics are huge, the size of 5-story buildings, cost about $500 million apiece, and are one-of-a-kind. Hauptman will discuss why the detectors are so big, and ideas and plans for future experiments at future colliders, with reference to a detector idea initiated at ISU called the "4th detector." This is an intermediate lecture. Snacks are provided five minutes before the talk.  For more information about our colloquium series and upcoming talks, please visit: http://physics.truman.edu/colloquia/mainstage.asp.