Symposium on European Union Nov. 5 part of “International Focus on Europe” at Berea College for 2009-2010

Consisting of 27 member states in Europe, the European Union (EU) was established by the Treaty of Maastricht on November 1, 1993, upon the foundations of the pre-existing European Economic Community.  The countries are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, West Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Does the European Union offer a model for working towards the goals of peace, prosperity, and stability for the world? Does it serve as a mediator between global and local needs? During the first hour of the symposium panelists Karen Mingst, Lockwood Chair Professor in the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce at the University of Kentucky, and John McCormick, Professor of Political Science and Director of Graduate Studies at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, will present examples from their research and experience to address the roles that regional organizations and public policy can play in fulfilling the challenge of thinking globally and acting locally.  A question and answer session will make up the second half of the event.

Currently, 11 students from nine European countries are enrolled at Berea.

Other “Focus on Europe” events this fall include:

November 9, 7:00-9:00pm, Woods Penn Commons
European Influences on Psychology
Dr. Laura L. Koppes will present on the topic of European Influences on Psychology.  Dr. Koppes is Chair and Professor for the Department of Psychology, University of West Florida (UWF), and is also Co-Director of the UWF Center for Applied Psychology, a consulting and research group affiliated with the psychology department. Prior to joining UWF, she was the President of LK Associates, an independent organization and human resources consulting business, and was Director of Work-Life at the University of Kentucky. She earned a Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational (I-O) Psychology with a minor in Quantitative Psychology from Ohio State University in 1987 and is a U.S. Fulbright scholar. Dr. Koppes is the current President of the national professional organization, the College and University Work Family Association. She has recently edited and published the only comprehensive scholarly text on the history of I-O psychology (Historical Perspectives in Industrial and Organizational Psychology).

November 16, 7 – 8:30pm, Woods Penn Commons
Discussion/Lecture: European and American Education