Newswise — Issues related to social justice and civil liberties are at the forefront of many current-events discussions. Several Central Michigan University faculty experts are available to comment on these types of topics.
TOPIC: International social changeSOURCE: Michael Papa, professor of communication and dramatic arts
What are some social change success stories around the globe, and how did they come about? Central Michigan University's Michael Papa, who has served as a consultant for The Carter Center human rights organization, can discuss the international social change landscape from the perspective of a communication scholar. Papa, a past chairman of CMU's communication and dramatic arts department, teaches classes on group communication and has conducted research on social and economic development programs around the world. He is one of the authors of "Organizing for Social Change: A Dialectic Journey of Theory and Praxis," a book regarding the role of communication in social change around the globe.
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TOPIC: Political climate for freedom of the press and freedom of speechSOURCE: John K. Hartman, professor of journalism
Central Michigan University's John K. Hartman says, "freedom of the press and freedom of speech are under assault by the Bush administration." Hartman is available to speak on the subject and other matters related to Americans' expression-related freedoms. He is a widely quoted authority on issues related to newspapers and online news, as well as the intersection of journalism and politics. He researches USA Today, free publications aimed at young adults and news readership issues. Hartman also is the author of two books: "The USA Today Way" (1992) and "The USA Today Way 2 the Future" (2000).
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TOPIC: HIPAA and patient privacySOURCE: Mark Cwiek, professor of community health and director of health administration programs
Some medical professionals think the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act inhibits healthcare research, according to a recent study released by the Journal of the American Medical Association. Established in 1996, HIPAA is intended to provide rights and protections for participants and beneficiaries in group healthcare plans. Central Michigan University's Mark Cwiek, a health administration expert, is available to comment on operational aspects and patient privacy issues of HIPAA. His additional areas of expertise include healthcare law and ethics, international and national health policy, health systems and bioterrorism. He can also talk about finance in the healthcare industry. Cwiek is a member of the Illinois Bar Association and the Michigan Bar Association; he also is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
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TOPICS: U.S. foreign policy and "despotic" regimes: Cuba and VenezuelaSOURCE: Orlando J. Pérez, associate professor of political science
Central Michigan University's Orlando Pérez, a Cuban-American who emigrated from Cuba with his parents at an early age and still has family on the island, is an expert in Latin American politics, U.S.-Latin American relations, civil-military relations and the politics of developing nations. His publications focus on the processes of democratization in Central America, the impact of U.S. intervention in Panama, and political economy and drug trafficking in Latin America and his articles and chapters in edited volumes include: "Managing Conflict: Regional Security Policy and U.S.-Venezuela Relations in the 21st Century" and "Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela." He speaks English and Spanish.
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