Real-world problem, real jury
When the students in Strategy and Security: Theory and Practice presented their proposals for security development in Somaliland, they were judged not only by their instructor, but also an official from the self-declared independent state. The spring 2015 peace and conflict studies class explored the co-evolution of military practice and ideas of security. For their final project, course instructor Jacob Stoil gave students the challenge of proposing a development plan for Somaliland, with a budget of $15 billion plus $1 billion per year. Stoil had invited Rashid Nur, Somaliland’s head of mission representative to the United States, to join him in hearing and evaluating the students’ proposals. Drawing inspiration from key military strategists like Giulio Douhet, Julian Corbett, Alfred Thayer Mahan, and Mao Zedong, students applied the strategy principles they had learned to the context of Somaliland. To ensure the stability of the nation both in the short term and the long run, one group tackled the problem through military, economic, and international relations perspectives. For example, they suggested that Somaliland
Speeches and sushi
establish trade relations with China. This would not only allow Somaliland to better tap the potential of the fishing industry, but would also result in more secure waters and international flotillas. Most groups also talked about boosting border security with Puntland, a country that has a territorial dispute with Somaliland. Nur said that he was impressed by the performance and knowledge of the five groups who presented. “What they suggest are the priorities of Somaliland. I will ask Professor Stoil for their proposals to read more thoroughly,” said Nur. “Although Somaliland is a functional democracy, it is still unrecognized internationally, and that affects the maintenance of security and the growth of the economy, which are the two big challenges Somaliland faces today.” During his visit to Colgate, Nur also delivered a talk titled “Somaliland: Security and Development in an Unrecognized State,” and dined with a few students. “Somaliland is a good case for students to synthesize what they have learned,” said Stoil. “This project is like a bridge between theoretical and reality, and is a practical level to learning.” To the students, such a high-stakes presentation was an interesting challenge. “I think the biggest challenge for this project was to decide what was the most important, practical, and efficient strategy,” said P.J. Benasillo ’17, a member of the winning team, from Staten Island, N.Y. “That really gave us a perspective about strategy analysis in the real world.” — Quanzhi Guo ’18
Before the start of the Japanese speech contest, a choir sang classic songs.
Zoe Zhong ’17
life of the mind
to walk, but [also] to stand and sit [powerfully],” she wrote. “It doesn’t take designer clothes, expensive suits, killer heels, or even short hair, to show that you’re in charge. Your body’s pose will tell it all.” Bailey continues to explore the subject in the social psychology PhD program at Yale University. — Emma Loftus ’16
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scene: Summer 2015
The Japanese speech contest celebrated its 13th year this April with a lineup of 13 competing speakers, food, and performances. Organized by Professor Yukari Hirata, the event provides students with an opportunity to improve their language skills and gives members of the local community a chance to share their interest in Japan. The contest judges are Japanese people from the surrounding area; two of them have been a part of the event since the beginning. “It’s amazing to see how students benefit from the continuity,” said Hirata. “Few have the guts to [compete] as a first-year student, but after watching the event, more will sign up in the following year. By their fourth year, people are ready to shoot for first prize.” This was the case with classics major Elizabeth Johnson ’16, who watched last year and decided to give it a try this time. Her speech, about her internship at a tatami shop (making traditional Japanese floor mats), earned the Japanese Culture prize. Although she was initially nervous, she said, “When it was time for me to deliver my speech, I was really excited because I had worked really hard on it.” Dang Minh Nguyen ’15 was one of the few brave enough to participate in the contest when he was just a firstyear student, but his approach has changed since then. “I used to spend more time polishing my grammar and practicing, but this year I decided to write a little more loosely.” It clearly worked, because his speech about graduation won the prize for humor, and the audience hardly stopped laughing throughout his delivery. Although he is not a Japanese major, Nguyen said that he feels like one, and many others who regularly participate in the contest feel similarly. The cultural highlights included a choir, a taiko drum performance, and a traditional tea ceremony. During the reception afterward, attendees sampled a variety of Japanese food, such as yakisoba (fried noodles) and inarizushi (rice inside thinly sliced tofu). “We want to be open to people who are vaguely interested in Japanese culture, even just in anime,” Hirata explained, “so they come in, eat food, and mingle.” — Meredith Dowling ’17