Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2003 10:16 AM
From: Steve Heydemann
Subject: Hearings on Middle East Studies [Heydemann]
With virtually no advance notice, Congressman Peter Hoekstra (R-Mich),chairman of the House Subcommittee on Select Education has scheduled hearings for June 19 on the Title VI program. I understand that theCongressman’s office has not been forthcoming in providing information about the hearings.
Based on the following article, it seems possible, if not likely, that they are intended as a forum for neocon critics of Middle East Studies to repeat longstanding complaints about the field, and about area studies in general. As far as I know, no one with expert knowledge of Middle East studies in the U.S. has been invited to take part in the hearings, though some supporters of Title VI will testify.
http://www.nationalreview.com/kurtz/kurtz-archive.asp
The website for the subcommittee contains links to the members’ websites and their email information. Please take a few minutes and convey your views of Title VI and your interest in these hearings to members of thecommittee. A call for balanced hearings and a recognition of Title VI’s accomplishments would be helpful, too.
Thanks.
