March 28 , 2006

NORMAN – What does it mean to be a global citizen or a cosmopolitan? How accurate is the assumption that cosmopolitans constitute an elite group?

These questions will be answered in a free, public presentation at the University of Oklahoma titled “Global Citizenship, Anyone?” The discussion led by Peter Furia, assistant professor of political science at Wake Forest University, will begin at 12:30 p.m. Friday, March 31, in 123 George Lynn Cross Hall, 770 Van Vleet Oval.

Furia’s research interests focus on public opinion and comparative foreign policy. He is particularly interested in using survey data to test claims about group identity and inter-group hostility within international politics. Over the past 10 years, Furia has published many articles and spoken at more than a dozen conferences on these various topics.

After taking into account numerous definitions of what it means to be a global citizen, Furia will present his findings on the extent to which political attitudes consistent with global citizenship actually exist. He concludes that although critics of cosmopolitanism are correct in alleging that such attitudes are uncommon, they are incorrect in stating that these attitudes are elitist.

In 2002, Furia completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Ohio State University’s Mershon Center for International Security Studies. He received his doctoral degree from Princeton University in 2000 and his bachelor of arts degree from Haverford College in 1993.

 The lecture is presented as part of the Global Forum Lecture series sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences School of International and Area Studies and Department of Political Science. For more information and accommodations on the basis of disability, contact Sandi Emond at (405) 325-1584 or semond@ou.edu.