Café Social Science is a series of informal discussions about the questions surrounding the social science field today, led by Columbia University's foremost professors. The discussions are held at the Picnic Market Café at 2665 Broadway (between 101st and 102nd streets).

Space is limited; $10 cover (cash only) includes one drink
Social Science on Us, First Come, First Served
NO RSVP Necessary

To join our Café Social Science event distribution list or for more information about Café Social Science, contact us at cafesocialscience@columbia.edu.

Spring 2010 Series on the Upper West Side:

Toxic Torts and Retorts: The Trials and Tribulations of
Two Historians in the Courtroom
Professors of Public Health David Rosner and Gerald Markowitz
January 25, 6–7 p.m.

Historians have rarely been called upon as expert witnesses in trials. Yet, in recent years, as contention over responsibility for environmental and industrial-related diseases has escalated, historians have been called into lead poisoning, vinyl chloride, air pollution, silicosis, asbestosis and tobacco suits, to name a few. In this session Gerald Markowitz and David Rosner will discuss their recent experience facing the wrath of industry lawyers following the publication of their books on industrial pollution as well as their appearance in court on behalf of states suing over lead poisoning and of individuals harmed by industrial products.

Endangered Watchdogs? Investigative Journalism in the Digital Age
Investigative Journalist Sheila Coronel
February 22, 6–7 p.m.

The Internet has changed the way citizens consume news and is challenging the long-term viability of newspapers and big broadcast networks, which have traditionally been the bastions of investigative reporting. Does muckraking journalism have a future in the digital era? And does the Internet provide a space for exposing wrongdoing in the public interest, especially in countries where the press freedom is under threat?

Shaded by Fear: A New Look at the New Deal
Professor of Political Science and History Ira Katznelson
March 22, 6–7 p.m.

This is a talk about democracy and fear. Few matters are as pressing today. Rather than offer a direct commentary on recent and current events, I turn to an era shaded by fear--the Roosevelt and Truman years, from New Deal to Cold War--to observe how American democracy confronted a cascade of fear-generating emergencies, and navigated dangerous borderlands. In so doing, I probe the role of the Jim Crow South in shaping the country's responses, for the region that most inspired fear, and was regarded by many citizens with fear, was instrumental in Congress in shaping domestic and international policy.

The 20th Century: View from the Middle East
Middle East Historian Rashid Khalidi
April 26, 6–7 p.m.

How does the Middle East figure in the history of the 20th century? How can we re-view the history of the 20th century not from the hegemonic perspective of the United States or Europe? How can we get past Orientalism, which saw “the East” as a static entity repeating age-old patterns until the arrival of European modernity? Come hear a talk on how we can change these well-entrenched perspectives and view the 20th century from the Middle East.