Monthly Study Group

The monthly study group was formed in Spring 2011 by Kina Chenard, Alex Moens, and Andy Hira, of Simon Fraser University. It is designed to try to stimulate more intellectual life, and specifically informal exchanges around current issues. We organized 2 highly successful talks on the Arab Spring and the Libyan Revolution that Spring.

The format is designed to minimize monopolization by any one person, since that is already available through classes and visiting speakers, and instead to open up the hour long discussion with a short presentation or series of questions for discussion (these are usually circulated beforehand) that benefits both the speaker and the group. Everyone is welcome to contribute with an opinion, question, or comment, as long as it is respectfully and calmly given. A moderator will run the session to ensure that everyone has a chance to participate in the discussion. We believe that this kind of discussion is an integral part of university life, and essential to training students, particularly in connecting what we discuss in the classroom or our research to the world.

We usually try to do a session at least once a month during the school year, with advance notice sent out. The sessions will usually be 1 hour during lunch time and you are welcome to bring one.

The whole idea is for us to get more discussion going, especially among students, and we welcome your ideas for topics. We especially welcome graduate students who might like an informal venue where they can test out their ideas. Feel free to send me an e-mail with your suggestions.

Our sessions will be advertised throughout SFU, and we will also construct a mailing list. We hope to see you all there, and look forward to the discussion!