Grand Valley State University experts are available to discuss a wide variety of topics relating to a possible war with Iraq, including political, archaeological, geo-political, historical, and communications-related impacts. Following are story ideas and contact numbers.
James Goode, history professor and coordinator of Grand Valley's Middle East Studies program, has taught and written extensively about Middle Eastern culture, history, and issues. (616) 331-3184.
Roy Cole, associate professor of geography, has spent many years in the Middle East where he has conducted research, studied the Arabic language and Arab cultures, and traveled. Cole, reached at (616) 331-3377, is available to explore:-- the complexity of American viewpoints on Middle East problems;-- the geography and ideology of Islamic fundamentalism;-- the Israeli/Palestinian conflict as it relates to war in the Middle East.
Majd Al-Mallah, assistant professor of Arabic, can discuss the impact that war could have on Palestinian/Israeli relations. Al-Mallah grew up in Palestine, attended college in Jordan, and came to the U.S. in 1994. He also teaches in the Middle East Studies program and can offer insights on many aspects of Middle Eastern culture, history, and contemporary issues. (616) 331-3634
James Smither, chair of the history department, teaches classes on the history of warfare, (616) 331-3422. Among insights Smither can offer are: -- prospects of an invasion of Iraq, and military strategies;-- different potentials for damage and casualties depending on war strategies employed and Iraqi reactions;-- contrasts/comparisons between a possible Iraqi war and the Gulf War, earlier wars in which the U.S. has been engaged, and military operations in Afghanistan.
Paul Murphy, assistant professor of history, is available to address the politics behind the decision to go to war, and American society and politics on the homefront during wars, including antiwar protesting. (616) 331-3429
Barbara Roos is an associate professor of communications with expertise in Egypt, Yemen and Turkey. She has studied Middle Eastern media with a special interest in the Arab-language Al Jazeera TV station (based in Qatar), and teaches a global communications course. Roos can also speak to freedom of speech issues regarding the media. (616) 331-3465
Janet Brashler, professor of anthropology, currently teaches a class on the archaeology of the Middle East. Recently the class has been discussing sites in Iraq and neighboring regions. Brashler can discuss the risk to significant structures and sites due to conflict in the region. (616) 331-3694
Political science professors with expertise in international relations are available to discuss world policies and actions regarding Iraq. They include:John Constantelos, chair of the political science department, (616) 331-2869;Polly Diven, associate professor of political science, (616) 331-3282; YanZhong Huang, assistant professor of political science (616) 331-2866.
Coeli Fitzpatrick, assistant professor of philosophy, teaches medieval philosophy with a specialty in medieval Islamic. She has traveled throughout the Middle East and can speak on the philosophy, history, and culture of the region. Fitzpatrick has participated in several student discussions on Iraq and entertains difficult questions about the U.S.'s history with Saddam Hussein and the perceived gains/losses of waging war on Iraq. (616) 331-3748
David Alvarez, assistant professor of English, teaches courses on British imperialism and is available to discuss an issue recently in the national spotlight: "Is the U.S. an empire?" And if so, is that a good thing and what are the accompanying expectations? (616) 331-3581
Samir IsHak, professor of management in the Seidman School of Business, is a native of Egypt and can speak on the economic and political situation in the region. IsHak is on sabbatical this semester; to arrange an interview, call News and Information Services, (616) 331-2222.
Grand Valley State University is a public, residential university based in Allendale, Michigan (12 miles west ot Grand Rapids) with an annual enrollment of 20,000 students. Website: www.gvsu.edu.
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