Media Contact: Laurie Mellas-Ramirez, 277-5915

August 30, 2002 UNM FACULTY ADJUST COURSES TO REFLECT HISTORICAL EVENTS UNM responded in many ways after the attacks on America last September, including academically. Professors took note of course applicability and scrambled to adjust content and fall 2001 final exams. This fall, the Middle Eastern politics course came off a dusty shelf and is taught by Political Science Department adjunct faculty Cynthia Melugin. The class looks at historical developments that influenced contemporary politics and then focuses on contemporary challenges and responses, including the Arab-Israeli conflict, resurgence of political Islam, economics, demographics, democratization, globalization, Western - and particularly U.S. - involvement. Lastly, pressing dilemmas surrounding recent terrorist events will be studied, Melugin said. The course filled quickly and there is a lengthy waiting list. "Recent events have raised the stakes for many Americans regarding U.S. foreign policy toward the Middle East, and students are rightly interested in the intensifying debate over what America's role should be in the region," Melugin said. Last fall, Associate Professor of Law Timothy Canova added discussions to his course business associations and a major section to the final exam. "My exam tested students on the fiduciary duty to exercise reasonable care in business decisions and oversight of business operations," Canova said. "The section that dealt with Sept. 11 issues tested students on the fiduciary duties of the officers and directors of Argenbright Security, a corporation responsible for airport security at two of the airports used by the hijackers on Sept. 11." Professor of Law Leo Romero teaches Criminal Procedure. His classroom discussion now includes aspects of the post-Sept. 11 Patriot Act that deal with search and seizure issues. Law faculty Michael Browde and Ruth Kovnat teach Constitutional Law. They added materials on the War Powers of the President and the constitutional implications of the war on terrorism. Professor David Farber teaches recent U.S. history. "We now spend more time thinking about the development of American internationalism and about the responsibilities and challenges we face as a world leader," Farber said. "We also talk more about the domestic impact wars have had on American society. I think students see a greater relevance in American history." ###

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