EPIIC is a carefully integrated, multidisciplinary program. Through its innovative and rigorous curricula and projects, EPIIC prepares young people for informed activity in their communities, whether locally, nationally or globally.
Colloquium
At EPIIC's core is the year-long, multidisciplinary course on a global political theme. Undergraduate and graduate students of diverse nationalities, viewpoints, experiences, and interests participate in this rigorous colloquium that stresses critical, analytical, and normative thinking. Students are encouraged to confront the ambiguity and complexity of EPIIC's annual global theme through a multi-disciplinary examination of the issues and controversies that the topic reflects. They are taught the subject under investigation not only by a broad range of distinguished academics and practitioners, but also as active participants in defining the issues through classroom discussions, extensive readings, and independent research. There is an emphasis both on individual progress and on the collaborative effort -- in essence, on growing as an intellectual team. Students produce tangible outcomes of their studies through their individual research papers or projects, the international symposium in late February, and the Inquiry simulation for high-school students in early April.
Symposium
The Norris and Margery Bendetson International EPIIC Symposium is an annual five-day public forum featuring scores of international practitioners, activists, academics, public intellectuals, and journalists. EPIIC's symposia -- consisting of presentations, panel discussions, topical forums, informal gatherings, multimedia and dramatic presentations, and workshops -- are intellectually wide-ranging and accessible. The perspectives of the participants are intentionally diverse, often competing, and at times adversarial.
The 2014-15 EPIIC colloquium will focus on Russia and the international order. The 2015 symposium will be the Institute's 30th annual symposium. More information will be available on these pages soon.
Oleg is currently pursuing a doctorate degree at the War Studies Department, King's College London. His research is on the history of the Iraqi air force. He was a member of the 2004 EPIIC colloquium on Dilemmas of Empire and Nationbuilding.
Alexandra is currently a MALD candidate at the Fletcher School and was formerly a Reporter at The Daily Star newspaper in Beirut, Lebanon covering local news related to politics, human rights, women's issues and health. As an undergraduate she co-led the ALLIES 2008 Joint Research Project to Jordan and was a member of the "Original Syns", the first class of Synaptic Scholars.
Robin is currently a principal development specialist with DAI in the Economic Growth Sector. Her work focuses on access to finance/financial inclusion for micro, small and medium enterprises and rural and agricultural businesses and farmers. She leads new business development, technical project management and advisory services for financial services projects worldwide for a variety of clients including USAID, World Bank, and IFC, among others.