Tuesday, November 29

Rally on the Crisis of Democracy in South Korea

Main Quad, 12:30–1 p.m.

Korean students on campus will gather at this rally to express their concern about the state of South Korean democracy as the political crisis surrounding president Park Geun-hye continues. The students have released a statement expressing their concern about democratic institutions in South Korea and demanding Park’s resignation.

Cecile Richards: The Future of Reproductive Rights

Glenn Lloyd Auditorium, University of Chicago Law School, 1111 E. 60th Street, 4–5:30 p.m., free

President of Planned Parenthood Cecile Richards will discuss what 2017 might look like for reproductive rights in the United States. A reception will follow the event.

Bite Culinary Magazine Release

McCormick Tribune Lounge, Mandel Hall, 5:30–6:30 p.m.

Come celebrate the release of Bite’s fall issue and eat food from Dat Donut and Cemitas Puebla.

Career Queer: LGBT Identity at Work

Ida Noyes Hall, 6–7:30 p.m.

A panel of LGBTQ+ professionals will discuss how they navigate the hiring process and modern workplace. In particular, they will be advising attendees on how to curate LinkedIn pages that are appealing to prospective employers. 

Urban Readers with Shannon Lee Dawdy: “Patina”

Seminary Co-Op, 6–7:30 p.m.

Anthropologist Shannon Dawdy will be discuss how Hurricane Katrina affected historic preservation in New Orleans, a city steeped in its storied past. By examining both the history of the city and the response to Katrina’s devastation, Dawdy paints a picture of a town united by a shared lost past.

Memoryhouse Magazine Fall Launch

South Lounge, Reynolds Club, 6–8 p.m.

Memoryhouse magazine collects first-person narratives into a quarterly literary magazine. Come to the launch of their Fall issue to pick up free copies of the issue and enjoy free food and spoken word performances.

Wednesday, November 30

Europe and the United States in the Trump Administration

Institute of Politics, 12:15–1:15 p.m.

Maria Latella, an Italian journalist and former Institute of Politics (IOP) fellow, will talk about what Trump’s presidency might mean for Europe. The talk is a part of the IOP’s International Policy Program. The event will be off the record, and lunch will be served.

Joseph Stiglitz and Markus Brunnermeier: The Euro

Room 104, Harper Center, noon–1:15 p.m., free

Join professors Joseph Stiglitz of Columbia and Markus Brunnermeier of Princeton to discuss the future of the euro and the European financial system.

Compulsive Practice

Hyde Park Arts Center, 5020 S. Cornell Avenue, 6–7 p.m.

Take a look at the “Compulsive Practice” exhibit at the Hyde Park Arts Center, which explores how artists and activists with AIDS use different artistic mediums as means of expression. Some of the artists and activists participating in the exhibit include James Wentzy and Scarlot Harlot.

The Consul General of the People’s Republic of China

Assembly Hall, I-House, 6–7:30 p.m.

Hong Lei, the consul general of China to Midwestern United States, will deliver a talk at International House about fostering friendly U.S.-China relations and further cooperation between the two countries. 

Real Talk: Mental Health in the Black Community

Center for Identity and Inclusion, 5710 S. Woodlawn Avenue

At this community discussion, the Organization of Black Students plans to pivot from high-profile mental health challenges experienced by some black celebrities to discuss mental health in the broader black community. A representative of Student Counseling will attend to present resources available at the school.

The Stela and the State: Monuments and Politics in Ancient Mesopotamia

Oriental Institute, 7–9 p.m., free

Harvard professor Irene Winter will deliver a talk on the importance of public monuments and their imagery in early Mesopotamian cultures. Winter will summarize what we know about the monuments and provide a perspective about how rulers used them to communicate to the public.

Music Forum Fall Concert

Hallowed Grounds, Reynolds Club, 7:30–10 p.m.

The Music Forum is an RSO that tries to encourage music outside of formal settings at the University of Chicago. At this end of quarter event they will host several University-based artists and groups.

Uncommon Nights: Hot, Hot, Hot!

Reynold’s Club, 10 p.m.–midnight

Uncommon Nights will be serving hot dogs (and vegetarian pasta, salad, and lemonade) while showing the 1987 classic, Dirty Dancing. Kojo Daiko, Raas, and the Ballroom and Latin Dance Association will also be performing, and attendees will have the opportunity to color, drink hot cocoa, and unwind after a long quarter.

Thursday, December 1

Opening Celebration: Miriam’s Café at the Smart

Smart Museum of Art, 4–6 p.m.

The cafe at the Smart is being officially renamed in honor of the late Miriam Graham, a dedicated supporter of the museum. The ceremony will include performances of musical pieces related to coffee and tea, including Bach’s Coffee Cantata, and will have free refreshments. The baristas at Miriam’s cafe will also be participating in a latte art competition.

Public Newsroom Workshop #3: Leor Galil

Build Coffee, Experimental Station, 6100 S. Blackstone Avenue, 6–8 p.m.

Journalist Leor Galil will be leading a discussion about the proper way to cover music and art in the media. Leor covers Chicago’s art and music scene for the Chicago Reader, as well as for his radio show, The Deepest Dish.

Student Meeting About Spring 2016 Climate Survey Results

The Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality, 5733 S. University Avenue, 4:30–6:30 p.m. 

The Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality will be hosting a student meeting to discuss the recent Campus Climate Survey results. The Climate Survey was released on November 19, and, as Adam Thorp reported, showed gaps in the way certain students perceived racism on campus. Those interested are encouraged to show interest on Facebook.

The Invention of Coinage and Its subsequent Use in the Achaemenid Persian Empire

Oriental Institute, 1155 E. 58th Street, 12:15 p.m.–1 p.m.

Tasha Vorderstrasse of the Oriental Institute will discuss the invention of coinage during the Achaemenid period of the Persian Empire in the Oriental Institute Gallery. Don’t miss this exciting discussion, accompanied by a lunch, about this moment in history.

Study at the Smart

Smart Museum of Art, 9 p.m.–noon

Study spaces will be set up throughout the Smart’s exhibits so students can prepare for finals and enjoy art all at the same time. Free pizza and coffee will be available in the lobby of the museum.

Demand for Unbiased News

Quadrangle Club Library, 2:15–3:15 p.m.

Why do consumers gravitate towards government-controlled news outlets even when there are independent outlets are available? Andrey Simonov, a Ph.D. candidate at the Booth School, will present his and his co-author’s findings on the question. This talk is part of the Milton Friedman Institute’s 2016 Economics of Media and Communications Conference, which continues on Friday. Information about other talks given as part of the conference can be found online. 

Write for Rights

McCormick Lounge, Reynolds Club, 5–8:30 p.m.

Each year, Amnesty International targets about a dozen human rights abuses and coordinates waves of letters calling for their resolution. Take a few minutes out of your week to join Amnesty International’s letter-writing drive and hear from a guest-speaker.

Friday, December 2

Understanding the Trump Phenomenon

Room 224, Social Sciences Research Building, 1–3 p.m.

Join four eminent professors in the University’s history department gather to discuss this historic turn in American politics. More discussions by history faculty on the issue will follow in January.

First Friday on Criminal Justice

Cloister Club, Ida Noyes Hall, 1–3 p.m., RSVP online

This event in the First Friday series, which marks University of Chicago Service Center’s 20th anniversary, focuses on criminal justice, restorative justice, and re-entry. It features a panel including academics, government officials, and advocates followed by round-table discussions.

Demand for Unbiased News

Saieh Hall for Economics, 2:15–3:15 p.m.

Huge amounts of money and effort are spent every election cycle on television advertisements. At this talk, two researchers will present a paper in which they found that spending in 2004 and 2008 did not increase the overall turnout, but could increase one candidate’s share of the vote. This talk is part of the Milton Friedman Institute’s 2016 Economics of Media and Communications Conference, which continues on Friday. Information about other talks given as part of the conference can be found online. 

Post-Election Strategic Planning With Undocumented Students

Center for Identity and Inclusion, 5710 S. Woodlawn Avenue, 6:30–8 p.m.

The University of Chicago Coalition for Immigrant Rights is organizing in anticipation of Donald Trump’s promised crack-down on undocumented immigrants. At this meeting, they will lay out their plans for winter quarter and provide updates on progress since their first planning meeting.

International House Open Mic Night

Assembly Hall, I-House, 7–9 p.m.

Stop by International House for an open mic night! Take a break from studying in order to prepare (or not) a performance. Or, alternatively, head over to enjoy some refreshments while studying with friends. Sign-ups start at 6:30 p.m.

Keramet Reiter: 23/7

Seminary Co-Op, 6–7:30 p.m.

Keramet Reiter, a professor at UC Irvine School of Law and the Department of Criminology, Law, and Society, will discuss her book 23/7: Pelican Bay Prison and the Rise of Long-Term Solitary Confinement. The book discusses the overuse of solitary confinement in a prison which led to a prison-wide hunger strike. 

Study at the Logan Center

Logan Center, 9 p.m.–midnight

The Logan Center will be open late for students studying for finals. Free cookies, coffee, and hot chocolate will be provided. A massage therapist will also be available to help students de-stress.

Saturday, December 3

African American Pioneers: Eleven P.M.

Screening Room 201, Logan Center, 7 p.m.

The Film Studies Center will be showing Eleven P.M., a 1928 drama by Richard Maurice. The surrealist film centers around a poor violinist who swears to protect an orphan from local evils. The movie is known for its bizarre ending, in which the ghost of the violinist seeks revenge after his untimely death.

Rachel Ruiz: “When Penny Met POTUS” 

57th Street Books, 1301 E. 57th Street, 10:30–11 a.m.

Listen to a reading and grab a signed copy of Rachel Ruiz’s first children’s’ book When Penny Met POTUS. In the book, Penny attempts to learn about her mom’s boss “POTUS.” Ruiz worked for Obama’s reelection campaign in 2012. 

45th Annual Art Open House

4810 S. Ellis, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. 

Local artists will be showing off various crafts and artwork, such as painted silk and ceramics, glass jewelry, silk wearable art, photography, quilts, and fiber art. 

Timuel Black at the Annual Meeting of the Vivian G. Harsh Society

Augustana Lutheran Church, 5500 S. Woodlawn Avenue, 2–4 p.m.

The Vivian G. Harsh Society will have its annual meeting at the Augustana Lutheran Church. This meeting is dedicated to the launch of the Timuel D. Black Emerging Scholars Program. Timuel D. Black (A.M. ’54), a professor emeritus at the City Colleges of Chicago and an important historian of the South Side in the 20th century will speak.

Holiday Bazaar at the United Church of Hyde Park

United Church of Hyde Park, 1448 E. 53rd Street, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Members of the United Church of Hyde Park will be selling unique goods, including gifts, jewelry, and holiday decorations.

Physics With a Bang! Holiday Lecture and Open House

Kersten Physics Teaching Center, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., open house from noon–4 p.m.

Professors Heinrich Jaeger and Sidney Nagel will be doing demonstrations that exemplify their research. This event will give students, parents, and all aspiring scientists and opportunity to have a hands-on interaction with science. They will also be giving tours of their laboratories in the afternoon.

Study at the Arts Incubator

Arts Incubator, 301 E. Garfield Boulevard, noon–3 p.m.

Need to get away from campus for a while? There will be buses running every half hour between the Reg, South Campus, and the Arts Incubator. Students will have spaces to study, and free snacks will be provided.

South Side Home Movie Project

Currency Exchange, 305 E. Garfield Boulevard, 5–7 p.m.

The South Side Home Movie Project archives amateur films from across the South Side of Chicago and periodically screens them, as part of an effort to elevate the role of home movies in film history and capture a moment of life in Chicago’s neighborhoods. Donors to the project will screen their own home videos, and guests are welcome to offer their own.

Sunday, December 4

Robyn C. Spencer: The Revolution Has Come

Seminary Co-Op, 3–4 p.m.

Author and professor Robyn Spencer will be discussing her book, The Revolution Has Come, which details the origins of the Black Panther movement in Oakland, CA. In particular, she will focus on power and gender dynamics within the group, and examines the influence that the Black Panthers had on the maturation of countless black youth in the late sixties.

Handel’s Messiah

Rockefeller Chapel, 5850 S. Woodlawn Avenue, 3–5 p.m., $5 for students

Listen to Handel’s Messiah as performed by the Chicago’s Men’s A Cappella and the Rockefeller Chapel Choir in one of Hyde Park’s oldest traditions, dating back to 1930. Tickets cost $5 for students and between $25 to $50 for others.

Study at the Oriental Institute

Oriental Institute, 1155 E. 58th Street, 9 p.m.–midnight

End UChicago Arts’s “study at” series at the Oriental Institute. Sit amongst ancient Mesopotamian artifacts, and sip on some coffee while studying for your Syriac, Akkadian, or any other final. If things get stressful, take a deep breath on one of the meditation cushions. 

Joseph Stern Keynote at Conference on Meaning, Metaphor and Maimonides

Frank Institute for the Humanities, 1100 E. 57th Street, Sunday afternoon through Monday evening

On Sunday, December 4 and on Monday, December 5, join faculty from across the nation to honor Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Inaugural Director of the Center for Jewish Studies Josef Stern. Stern has done research in semantics, the philosophy of language, and in medieval Jewish and Islamic philosophy. Stern will deliver the closing address at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, and more information about the program can be found online.

Monday, December 5

The World is the Children’s Classroom: A Documentary in Progress

Saieh Hall for Economics, 4:30–5:45 p.m.

The Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture will be hosting a preview screening of the documentary, “The World is the Children’s Classroom: The History and Legacy of the Black Panther Party’s Oakland Community School.” The producers of the film will be present to discuss their vision and answer questions about the project.

Love Liberation: 50 Years of Black Panther Party History

Saieh Hall for Economics, 6–8 p.m.

The Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture will be hosting a discussion about the gender and sexuality dynamics within the Black Panther movement. Musical artist Avery R. Young will also be performing.

Energy and the Environment in the Trump Administration

Room 021, Saieh Hall for Economics, 5:30–7 p.m., register online

Senior staff from the George W. Bush administration will be discussing what a Republican Congress and President might mean for the United States’s energy policy in the next four years.

Advance Screening: Office Christmas Party

Max Palevsky Cinema, Ida Noyes Hall, 7–9 p.m., free

Doc Films is advance screening the movie Office Christmas Party. When the CEO (played by Jennifer Aniston), tries to close a company branch run by her brother (played by T.J. Miller), he and the Chief Technology Officer (played by Jason Bateman) must throw an epic Christmas party to try and save the company. 

Patrick Jagoda: “Network Aesthetics”

Wilder House, 5811 S. Kenwood Avenue, 4:30–6:30 p.m.

Associate professor Patrick Jagoda will discuss his book Network Aesthetics. The book explores how popular media and artistic forms make sense of decentralized network metaphors and infrastructures. 

Tuesday, December 6

Tyehimba Jess: “Olio”

Seminary Co-Op, 5751 S. Woodlawn Avenue, 6–7:30 p.m.

Tyehimba Jess reads from Olio, a poetry book he published last spring. Jess has received multiple awards in poetry and is an associate professor at the College of Staten Island. 

Fireside Chat With Inter-Faith Leaders

Chicago Theological Seminary, 5:15 p.m. 

Come talk to Rabbi Herman Schaalman and hear the winning essay of the Schaalman Interreligious Award. Schaalman, who turned 100 in April, fled the Nazis in the 1930s and then spent decades at the head of a Chicagoland congregation.

Wednesday, December 7

R.J. Nelson: Dirty Waters

Seminary Co-Op, 6–7:30 p.m.

R.J. Nelson was meant to bring change to Chicago’s waterfront when he was appointed as the city’s Director of Harbors and Marine Services, the “harbor boss.” The last four directors had found their way into federal prison. Nelson’s book narrates his time in the position.

Campaign for the Tenth President of the Republic of Ireland

Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Avenue, 6–7 p.m.

William Delaney was a little more than 10-years-old when he died, while in the care of the government of the Republic of Ireland. Artist Seamus Dolan pushed to have Delaney temporarily named President of the Republic, in order to recognize the state’s failure. Dolan will discuss his project at this event.

Thursday, December 8

Gertrude Stein and Poetry in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction

Smart Museum of Art, 5:30–7:30 p.m.

This pair of events will consider the poetry of Gertrude Stein through a variety of media. The first event in this series will look at the Smart Museum’s exhibition “There was a whole collection made.” The next event will be held next week at the Poetry Foundation.

The Innocents

Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Avenue, 1:30 p.m., free

The University of Chicago Service League will show The Innocents (2016) at their free monthly movie screening. The Innocents explores the brutal aftermath of World War II on one Polish convent.

Poetry Reading: Alan Shapiro and Reginald Gibbons

Seminary Co-Op, 6–7:30 p.m.

Poets Alan Shapiro and Reginald Gibbons will read from their newly published collections, Life Pig and Last Lake.

Friday, December 9

Not Just Another Pretty Face: The Unveiling

Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Avenue, 7–11 p.m., $35 suggested donation

This program pairs patrons and artists to create new pieces and support the artist and the Art Center. More than 80 pieces created in this collaboration will be unveiled at this event.

Saturday, December 10

Exhibition Walkthrough: Shared Eye

Renaissance Society, fourth floor, Cobb Hall, 2 p.m.

A few weeks into the opening of its exhibition of Sadie Benning’s work, titled “Shared Eye,” The Society’s Assistant Curator will lead a walk-through.

Black and Brown Presents the Dessert Shoppe

Currency Exchange, 305 E. Garfield Boulevard, 5–8 p.m.

Four artists drawing from African diaspora traditions will “explore the mythos of sweetness,” at this event.

Art for the People: For the People’s December Showcase

Experimental Station, 6100 S. Blackstone Avenue, 5–9 p.m.

The For the People’s Artist Collective has spent the year since its founding using art to agitate against injustice in Chicago, especially related to police violence against black people. This showcase provides an opportunity to support their work and mark their first anniversary.