Publication of a Journal Article by International Relations Department Faculty Member in a Major French Academic Journal
Jubin Goodarzi, Associate Professor and Deputy Head of the International Relations
Department at Webster Geneva Campus, published an article in the most recent edition of the French academic journal "Confluences Méditerranée" which is one of the top two French academic journals on the Mediterranean and Middle
East regions. The Summer 2020 edition of "Confluences Méditerranée" was completely
devoted to Iran, with more than fifteen contributions by distinguished academics from
several universities and research institutes on both sides of the Atlantic, including
the Sorbonne, Science Po Paris, EHESS, CNRS, Tubingen University, Boston University,
Trento University and the Graduate Institute. The contributors provided their views
and analyses on domestic politics in Iran, Tehran's regional policies and Iran's foreign
relations with the major international powers. Jubin Goodarzi's article which was
an invited work, as has been the case in most instances, was a lengthy article on
Iran's role and involvement in the Syrian crisis and civil war since the outset in
March 2011. The recent Summer 2020 edition of "Confluences Méditerranée" (Number 113)
is available in print. For further information, please go to www.confluences-mediterranee.com.
Glaveanu Publishes Book on Wonder
Vlad Glaveanu, Head of the Department of Psychology and Counselling, has recently
published the book ‘Wonder: The extraordinary power of an ordinary experience’ with Bloomsbury Press. This book is dedicated to wonder and wondering, mundane phenomena
that, despite their great value for education and other spheres of human experience,
often go unnoticed both inside and outside the classroom. Praised as the origin of
philosophy in ancient times, the concern for understanding and educating wonder has
been present throughout history. It is not only the case that this basic psychological
process opens our everyday experience to what is possible, what lies beyond the here-and-now,
but does so with extraordinary consequences. Wonder transforms our experience of the
world from early childhood onwards. It is ever-present in children's play and games,
it offers constant opportunities for learning and it fuels our creativity. And yet,
we know little about this phenomenon, its biological, psychological, social and cultural
underpinning, and even less about how to foster it and harness its benefits in education.
This book fills this gap and gives a scientific yet accessible account of wondering.
It proposes a new way of understanding wonder, while at the same time offering practical
tools for cultivating wonder within ourselves, our interpersonal relations, and within
educational practice. The book will be officially launched by Webster at an online event on Oct. 6.