Keynote Speaker: Charles Lipson
Charles Lipson is an award-winning teacher at the University of Chicago, where he has been a faculty member for more than 25 years. His courses on international politics and history are among the most popular at the University. He is part of an active group of faculty and students at the University studying international relations. A centerpiece of that work is the University's Program on International Politics, Economics, and Security (PIPES), which Dr. Lipson co-founded and co-directs.
Born and raised in rural Mississippi, Dr. Lipson received his undergraduate degree from Yale in political science and economics, his Master's and PhD from Harvard in political science.
He is the author of several books and numerous articles. His latest book on international affairs deals with war, peace, and democracy. Entitled Reliable Partners: How Democracies Have Made a Separate Peace, it was published by Princeton University Press (2003).
Professor Lipson writes extensively about education and academic honesty. His book, Doing Honest Work in College (University of Chicago Press, 2004), shows undergraduates how to paraphrase, quote, and take effective notes, avoid plagiarism, and prepare citations in every format. Several universities in the United States and Canada now give out copies to all their incoming students, either at orientation or in Freshman English classes. The book is also assigned to classes around the country, from literature and history to computer science and theology—wherever papers are required. A second edition will be published by the University of Chicago Press in Spring 2008. His book How to Write a BA Thesis: A Practical Guide from Your First Ideas to Your Finished Paper (University of Chicago Press, 2005) covers all aspects of the undergraduate thesis project. It, too, emphasizes the value of academic integrity and is widely assigned. For more detailed information on all citation formats, he has published Cite Right: A Quick Guide to Citation Styles--MLA, APA, Chicago, the Sciences, Professions, and More (University of Chicago Press, 2006).
In Spring, 2008, the University of Chicago Press will publish his latest book, Succeeding as an International Student in the United States and Canada. The first comprehensive guide for students coming to North America, it covers not only academic issues but also the everyday tasks of living here, such as renting an apartment, setting up a bank account, and finding a doctor. It is designed for both undergraduates and graduate students, for individual students and for their families.
Professor Lipson's Web site, www.charleslipson.com, includes pages on academic honesty, thesis writing, and academic integrity, as well as news, politics, and culture.
He is a frequent guest on national radio and television and often writes op-ed pieces for the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and other publications.