EPIIC encourages students to think globally

Since its formation in 1985 by then-Political Science Professor Sherman Teichman, the Education for Public Inquiry and International Citizenship [EPIIC] program has become highly regarded at the University. Every year, the program, whose motto is "thinking beyond boundaries, acting across borders," explores a pertinent global issue in depth.

This year the program, spurred by the terrorist attacks of 2001, has returned to its roots. This year's theme is "Sovereignty and Intervention," a topic similar to that addressed in the very first EPIIC Colloquium, which dealt with international terrorism.

"We try to contend with issues we consider prevailing," said Teichman, who in addition to heading EPIIC serves as Director of the Institute of Global Leadership. "[We look for] major trends, major dilemmas in global issues."

Past EPIIC topics include "Race and Ethnicity: A Global Inquiry," "The Militarization of the Third World," and "Covert Action and Democracy."

The EPIIC program consists of several different facets. First, the students all take the EPIIC core class, offered through the Experimental College. The EPIIC core class encourages students to participate in discussions in the classroom.

However, it is the experiences outside the classroom that lend EPIIC its unique character.

Each EPIIC participant serves as a member on one or more committees, which go about planning the many events the program undertakes throughout the year.

"One of my committees is called 'Special Events'," sophomore Becky Frank explained. "I am specifically working with others to put together a film festival that will show films that have to do with sovereignty and intervention."

Additional committees plan the myriad of other activities EPIIC offers, such as guest lecturers, debates, and conferences. The committee system gives students the chance to organize events of personal interest that can engage the entire campus.

"In February, I will hopefully have the privilege to organize a concert and panel discussion centered around Hip-Hop as a political movement," sophomore Nikias Stefanakis said.

Another major facet of EPIIC is Inquiry, a program that brings discussion and information about international issues to high schools. Participating schools receive reading lists that explore some relevant topics of that year's theme.

According to the EPIIC website, over 30 schools from nine states participate. Some schools use the information in social studies classes; others form classes or extra-curricular programs.

Each EPIIC student works with one high school as a mentor in preparation for the culminating event, a simulation that occurs on Tufts campus in the spring. High school delegations play roles, either countries or international organizations, and attempt to resolve international issues in committee and meeting settings.

Those involved cite EPIIC's guest lecturers as another highlight of the program.

"[The students] learn not just from myself but from a whole range of distinguished personalities," Teichman said, noting that eminent scholars from throughout the world have traveled to Tufts.

This school year, EPIIC has already sponsored over ten presentations and speakers. Additional events will be scheduled as the semester progresses.

The annual symposium is the prominent event of the year for EPIIC. For one weekend, this year Feb. 27 to Mar. 2, distinguished speakers participate in a series of discussions on global topics of relevance to EPIIC's yearly theme.

The 2003 symposium will include discussions about sovereignty and globalization, transnational crime, and humanitarian intervention.

Recently, the Department of Education gave EPIIC a Fund for Innovation in Post-Secondary Education (FIPSE) grant to study the effects of the program on alumni.

According to the EPIIC website, "the evaluation is intended to illuminate impacts of the EPIIC program on students over time, focusing on issues such as leadership development, continuing awareness of international issues, and public service involvement."

The website also says that the information obtained through the evaluation will be used "to develop and disseminate a model of EPIIC to other universities that may want to replicate it in part or in whole."

Many University alumni have used the networks and skills gleaned through their participation in EPIIC to arrive at careers that make them ideal speakers to come back to talk to current EPIIC members: so far, 87 alumni have already spoken or have plans to speak.

The nature of the EPIIC program attracts motivated and focused students who are willing to go through the arduous year of intense study. The fifty or so students organizers look for are "avid, engaged in thinking, and are able to suspend their perceptions," Teichman said.

Prospective students should expect long, hard hours and an extraordinary amount of work. Teichman describes EPPIC as "an intellectual team, equivalent to going out for a sport."

"The irony of this program is that you love what kind of person you leave the program as, but the work during the semester is quite stressful," Stefanakis said.

Most students, however, consider the EPIIC experience well worth the late nights and heavy reading load.

"I like the fact that we are being taught to be leaders and that we are given such amazing access to the top people in whatever fiend we are interested in studying," sophomore Nick Chashet said. "It is a lot of work and the class tends to become your main topic of conversation."

The benefits of the program speak for themselves. "Opportunities, opportunities, opportunities," said Stefanakis. He also said that "there aren't as many shackles on [EPIIC students] as there are on people in most other programs on campus."

"I joined EPIIC because I saw it as a unique opportunity to expand my mind," Stefanakis said. "So many people say that they joined EPIIC to be able to research and whatnot. The way I see it, expanding one's mind and intellect at no risk is a once in a lifetime opportunity."