April 1: Roots of Irritation and Ties that Still Bind: Exploring Transatlantic Relations between Germany and the United States

A conference sponsored by Butler University, Grand Valley State University, Pädagogische Hochschule Schwäbisch Gmünd, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

When: Friday, April 1 9:00 AM — 6:30 PM

Where: Butler University, Atherton Union

A lot of very good people speak at this conference. Professor Konrad Jarausch of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and ZZF Potsdam will deliver the keynote speech, "German-American Relations - The State of an Affair," at 9 a.m., followed by panel discussions, paper presentations and group discussions. Dr. Alexander Petri, Germany's general consul in Chicago, will lead a question-and-answer session from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Here's a rough schedule so you can make plans (if you are not lucky enough to have an entire day free for a great conference).

TRANSATLANTIC CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Roots of Irritation and Ties that Still Bind: Exploring Transatlantic Relations between Germany and the U.S.

BUTLER UNIVERSITY, ATHERTON UNION

9:00 am – 9:15 am: Introduction and Welcome, Reilly Room
Dr. Antonio Menendez, Dr. Hermann Kurthen, Dr. Stefan Immerfall
Dr. Bobby Fong, President of Butler University, Indianapolis

9:15 am - 10:00 am: Keynote Address, Reilly Room
"German-American Relations - The State of an Affair"
Dr. Konrad Jarausch (UNC Chapel Hill & ZZF Potsdam, Germany)

10:00 am - 10:15 am: Coffee Break, Foyer outside of AU 302

10:15 am – noon: Parallel Sessions

Session 1: Transatlantic Relations, AU 302
“Spreading Freedom and Democracy: A Transatlantic Tie”
Dr. Oliver B. Hemmerle (Mannheim Universität/Germany)

“Germans from Venus: The out-of-area Problems in US-German Relations.”
Dr. William G. Gray (Purdue University)

Session 2: Transatlantic Comparisons, AU 326
“Beneath the Iceberg: Liberalism at Cross-roads: A Glance at Causes of the Irritations between the US and Germany.”
Dr. Volker Frank (UNC Asheville)

“Comparing the Representations of the War in Iraq in German and US Newspapers.”
Mrs. Monica Laney (University of Kansas)

Noon - 1:00 pm: Lunch

1:00 pm - 2: 45 pm: Parallel Sessions

Session 1: Transatlantic Relations, AU 302
“German Red-states Relations”
Dr. Gary Anderson (Zeppelin Universität Friedrichshafen/Germany)

"The EU, the US and Germany: The Changing Relationship"
Dr. John McCormick (Purdue University)

Session 2: Transatlantic Comparisons, AU 326
“Michael Moore’s German Reception and the (Contemporary) Image of America.”
Dr. Tom Clark (Kassel Universität/Germany)

“The Politics of Constitutional Interpretation-Oceans Apart?”
Dr. Michael Dreyer (Northwestern University)

“The Hunt for a Competitive Advantage: How PISA has Shaped Discussions over Educational Policy Reform.”
Dr. Regina Werum (Emory University)

2:45 pm - 3:00 pm: Coffee Break, Foyer outside of 302

3:00 pm - 4:15 pm: Parallel Focus Groups, AU302 & AU 326

4:15 pm - 4:30 pm: Coffee Break

4:30 pm - 5:30 pm: Afternoon Plenary Session, Reilly Room
Dr. Alexander Petri: German General Consul, Chicago

Dr. Sven Schumacher: “Citizen Diplomacy: Sister Cities promote positive relationships between Germany and the United States.”

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm: Reception, Reilly Room


If you like this event, you should check out ...

• April 5: Discussion of reforming the UN, where many of the EU's most heated struggles with the US have been waged
• April 19: Talk by the Ambassador to the US from Luxembourg, current holder of the EU Presidency
• April 20: ICWA debate about whether the US is threatened by a unified Europe.
• April 21: DIscussion about what we can do locally to mend the rift with Europe