Welcome! Chicago Society is an organization that actively encourages discussion and debate on the campus of the University of Chicago, on topics ranging from foreign affairs to contemporary American comedy. We host events of all sizes, from tens of attendees to thousands, bridging gaps between students of the University of Chicago and leading figures of the academic, political, scientific, cultural, and intellectual worlds.
Visit Upcoming Events to learn about our programming for the coming months. See About Us to learn about the opportunities associated with Chicago Society membership. Or attend a weekly meeting, which takes place every Wednesday, 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm in Harper 145. There is no application process and we are always looking for new members.
Selected Chicago Society News
April 22, 2008––A full audience, pictured above, anxiously awaited as speakers arrived to find out about the potential dangers of assuming that microfinance has emerged as a panacea for the social and economic problems facing the poor in India. During the panel event, “Credit for the Poor: Fighting Poverty with Microfinance in India”, Professor Raghuram Rajan of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business gave his suggestions: people should be encouraged to have savings accounts so that they can foster relationships with traditional banks and also have money saved up in case of an emergency; the government should expand the number of banking licenses so that smaller banks can enter the economy and provide loans to the poor and the underserved; technologies like branchless cell phone banking should be utilized to the fullest extent; and the current rules on interest rates for bank loans should be relaxed. Read more about this event.
“Anwar Overturns the Apple Cart”––Former speaker for Chicago Society’s lecture on “The Challenges of Islam and Democracy,” Anwar Ibrahim, is now the leader of the People’s Justice Party in Malaysia and making news as the leader of this secular opposition party in a tense political atmosphere.
March 5, 2008––An Evening with John Stossel: Freedom and Its Enemies
John Stossel, Primetime 20/20 reporter and winner of 19 Emmies, spoke to a crowd of several hundred. He shared insights gleaned during his 27 years with 20/20 and held a Q&A session followed by a book signing.
October 11, 2007––Super Freakonomics
Students crowded Mandel Hall to hear Steven Levitt speak on his best-selling book and current research. After a discussion ranging from college calculus to the economics of prostitution, Levitt took audience questions, speaking to the core curriculum and “the hidden side of everything.” A book signing followed the event, during which students were able to individually approach Levitt with their questions.
Our quarterly update is available for the spring quarter of 2007.
May 18-19, 2007––Petroleum: Prospects and Politics
Please visit the website for details on this two-day conference.
May 15, 2007––We are pleased to announce the results of the RSO Awards Assembly, in which Chicago Society received both the “Outstanding Publicity Strategy” award and the “Best Student Organization Event” award for LOL 101: Comedy as Commentary. Thanks to all of our members for their hard work and dedication.
See the Past Events Page for more.
Last Updated: January 28, 2009 |
