It has been a little more than a year since a devastating earthquake struck Haiti, killing tens of thousands and leaving more than 1 million homeless in a country already ranked the poorest in the Western Hemisphere. During the past year, Haiti has dealt with public health issues, the return of ousted former president Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier after 25 years in exile, and protesters calling for the current president to resign.
Tuesday's program will begin with a presentation from Dr. Tamara Spike, associate professor of history at North Georgia. Spike is a historian of colonial Latin America and Native America, and has earned master's and doctoral degrees in history from Florida State University. She also holds a dual bachelor's degree in anthropology and classical archaeology.
The free eight-week series will run through April 7 in Cumming and Gainesville.
The series offers participants a chance to explore global issues impacting our economy and world politics with the university's expert faculty members. The second half of each program is set aside for audience questions and discussion.
All sessions will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and no registration is required. (Click on the link below for the complete schedule and a list of topics to be covered.)
The series will be held on Tuesdays in Forsyth County at the Sharon Forks Library at 2820 Old Atlanta Road in Cumming. In Hall County, the series will be held on Thursdays at the Gainesville Civic Center.
This is the second consecutive year North Georgia has presented the Great Decisions lecture series. This past year's sessions drew 50 to 75 people at each location.
The national Great Decisions editorial board selects eight new topics each year, based on the most pressing global issues and regions. The topics are featured in an accompanying briefing book, which will be available for sale at each of the upcoming discussion sessions but is not required for participation. The topics also are featured in the Great Decisions Television Series airing nationally on PBS stations. Information for additional study and research, including online resources and suggested reading, on all eight topics also is available on the Foreign Policy Association website.
Dr. Tamara Spike
http://accesswdun.com/article/2011/2/236143