“Political Economy of Oil” Topic of Shasha Seminar

The Wesleyan community is invited to the 10th annual Shasha Seminar for Human Concerns on April 19-20. This year, experts will explore the topic, “The Political Economy of Oil.”

“Energy policy is always in the news. But with gas prices above $4 a gallon, shale gas revolutionizing the gas industry, and intense debates over the construction of the Keystone pipeline, it has never been more topical,” says Peter Rutland, Colin and Nancy Campbell Professor in Global Issues and Democratic Thought, Professor of Government, Professor of Russian and Eastern European Studies

At 8 p.m. April 19, Daniel Esty, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, will lead the keynote address on “Protecting Our Environment in Turbulent Times.” The event takes place in Memorial Chapel and is free of charge.

Commissioner Esty will talk about the need to continue moving forward with an energy and environmental agenda for the 21st century, despite a backlash that has developed on these issues.

While some question the need to move toward a cleaner and cheaper energy future and the value of environmental regulation, Connecticut is determined to serve as a national model on how an integrated approach to energy and the environment can best protect the public health and our natural resources—and also contribute to economic growth and job creation.

At 9 a.m. on April 20, Shasha Seminar panels will begin; topics include: “Peak Oil and Beyond, the Oil Business: Profit and Social Responsibility;” “War, Instability and the Search for Energy Security;” and “Environmental Sustainability and the Future of Petrocarbons.”

At 1 p.m. on April 20, Steve LeVine, author of The Oil and The Glory, will give the Shasha Luncheon Lecture at Beckham Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

This year’s Shasha seminar will include participation by Wesleyan faculty Mary Alice Haddad, associate professor of government, associate professor of environmental studies, associate professor of East Asian Studies; Chris Hogendorn, associate professor of economics; Anne Peters, assistant professor of government; and Phil Resor, assistant professor of earth and environmental sciences. Matthew Roe ’05; David Work ’68, P’93; Paul McDermott ’76, P’12, Ladeene Freimuth ’89 and Dean Malouta P’12 are among the panelists. Professor Rutland is the event’s facilitator.

Register online here. View the full program here.

The Shasha Seminar, endowed by James J. Shasha ’50, P’82 is an educational forum for the Wesleyan community and friends that provides an opportunity to explore issues of global concern in a small seminar environment.