Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Blazing battles

Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, has called on Pastor Terry Jones to cancel his plans to burn several copies of the Qur’an in Florida this Saturday, the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on America by al-Qaeda. Dr. Rami Shapiro, adjunct professor of religious studies and an ordained rabbi, says of Jones, “His actions demean Christianity and aid and abet the cause of Islamic extremism. … As part of your memorial observances of 9/11, whether alone, with friends and family, or more formally with a larger community, I ask that you read, not burn, passages from the world’s sacred scriptures. … The Jewish poet Heinrich Heine, in his play ‘Almansor,’ wrote about burning texts of the Qur’an by the Catholic Inquisition in Spain, saying, ‘Those who begin by burning books will end by burning people.’ This proved true of the Church. It proved true of the Nazis. Don’t let it prove true of us as well.”

Read Shapiro’s blog at http://rabbirami.blogspot.com/.

“Citizenship consists in the service of the country.”—Jawaharlal Nehru

In this highly politically charged era, the MTSU Department of Political Science steps forward with its new Political and Civic Engagement minor to guide students in ways they can become more fully involved in their society. An experiential learning track that combines real-world activities with concepts and theories learned in the classroom, the minor is designed for students of all majors. “Part of the idea here is citizen training, but in a newer sense of the term, in the sense that it’s important for people to be engaged in society in order for democracy to work,” says Dr. Stephen Morris, department chair. Activities that students may use for completing the minor include Legal Courtroom Procedure, commonly referred to as mock trial; Moot Court; Mediation Procedure; Model United Nations; and the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature.

Contact the Department of Political Science at 615-898-2708.

Tax collectors’ items

One reason economists pay close attention to real estate transaction figures is because taxes collected on real estate transfers and mortgages are significant. MTSU’s Business and Economic Research Center found transfer collections rose during the second quarter in Tennessee, while mortgage tax collections fell. According to Tennessee Housing Market, a BERC publication, “Transfer taxes rose 5.8 percent from the first quarter and are 14.2 percent higher over the year. The increase in the tax collections coupled with stable-to-falling real estate prices indicates that more deals were settled compared with the first quarter. Part of the explanation for the increase might be a rebound from the first quarter’s cold, wet weather that brought more buyers out to look for homes.”

Contact the Business and Economic Research Center at 615-898-2610.

TR EXTRA

GET TO KNOW JAC!--Stop by the June Anderson Center for Women and Nontraditional Students during its open house from 1-3 p.m. today, Sept. 8, in its new location, Room 320 of the Keathley University Center. Meet Director Terri Johnson and Assistant Director Valerie Avent, who will acquaint you with the center’s mission and programs. These include monthly legal clinics, a professional development and enrichment series and programs focusing on awareness of sexual assault and domestic violence prevention. The JAC’s new expanded hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Today’s open house is free to the public. For more information, call the center at 615-898-5989 or go to www.mtsu.edu/jac.

IF YOU YEARN TO LEARN—“Adventures in Learning,” the annual mini-school for adults age 50 and above, will take place from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 13, Sept. 20, Sept. 27 and Oct. 4 at First United Methodist Church, 265 W. Thompson Lane in Murfreesboro. The purpose of the event, which is planned by an interfaith coalition, is to provide a program by and for older adults in which they can shore knowledge, talents and skills for lifelong learning and personal growth. As usual, retired and active MTSU faculty will play prominent roles in the event. A highlight will be “Mount and Mountain,” a dialogue between Dr. Rami Shapiro, adjunct professor of religious studies and an ordained rabbi, and Dr. Michael A. Smith, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Murfreesboro. This class will be based on online conversations Shapiro and Smith conducted about the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount. To register, or for more information, contact Mary Belle Ginanni at 615-895-6072.

NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE SUCCESS--The University College Advising Center will offer a series of workshops on how to be a successful MTSU student starting at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14, and 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, in the Corlew Hall classroom. These one-hour workshops are designed for any student who needs help or wants to learn more about the topic area. Subjects include “How to Get Started at MTSU;” “How to Use Your Time Wisely;” “How to Master Course Material;” “How to Find the Right Career for You;” “How to Use Your Academic Adviser;” “How to Give a Winning Presentation;” and “How to Prepare for Final Exams.” Students who need proof of attendance for class will receive it. For more information, contact the University College Advising Center at 615-898-2339.