Teaching difficult subjects in the classroom

The Faculty Mentoring Faculty Program announced a presentation today (Jan. 29) about teaching difficult and controversial subjects in the college classroom.

Organizers said Keith David Watenpaugh, associate professor of religious studies, will give the presentation, addressing the topic "Really Awful Things: Reflections on Teaching Genocide, Fundamentalism and Iraq."

The talk is scheduled at 12:30 p.m. in 250 Olson Hall.

Watenpaugh, the 2008-09 Jennings Randolph Senior Fellow in International Peace at the U.S. Institute of Peace, has lived and conducted research in Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Iraq.

His latest research focuses on the multiple intersections of the modern international human rights regime, Islam and colonialism in the 20th-century Arab Middle East.

He teaches a variety of courses on Islam, genocide, human rights, fundamentalism and the larger issues raised by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Humanities funding workshop

The UC Davis Humanities Institute is hosting a funding workshop with Elizabeth Arndt, senior program officer in the Division of Research Programs of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The workshop is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 2 in 126 Voorhies Hall. Advance registration closed Jan. 27; on-site registration is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. the day of the workshop, should any seats still be available.

Arndt is scheduled to hold one-on-one meetings Feb. 1 and 2 to discuss proposals or project ideas for any NEH-sponsored grant. All those slots had been taken; for waiting list information, contact Jennifer Langdon, (530) 754-0331 or jlangdon@ucdavis.edu.

Distinguished Women in Science

Bioengineering professor Rebecca Richards-Kortum of Rice University is due on campus Feb. 4 to join Chancellor Linda Katehi for a panel discussion on women in science, and to give a research lecture.

• A Panel Discussion on the Challenges and Rewards of Being a Woman in Science and Engineering — Topics are expected to include different avenues for influencing scientific and public policy, from research and teaching to academic administration and professional service. Noon-1:30 p.m., Conference Center Ballroom. Lunch provided, limited seating. RSVP: consortforwomen@ucdavis.edu.

• Research lecture — “From Cell Phones to Cell Biology: High-Tech, Low-Cost Solutions for Global Health,” 4 p.m., 1065 Kemper Hall. Reception to follow.

The Consortium for Women and Research is the sponsor of both events, part of the Distinguished Women in Science Lectures.

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