Faculty
Thomas O'Toole
What is your vision of global social responsibility?
As faculty, we should pose outrageous hypotheses to counter the mainstream hypothesis, which is extreme laissez-faire capitalism.
What social and environmental justice issues do you feel passionate about?
As the first director of Minnesota Studies for International Development, I believe in NGOs as opposed to government organizations to assist people in the so-called ‘developing nations’. I think students should have the opportunity to participate in indigenous societies rather than top-down stuff like the World Bank.
What areas of research or activism are you currently most engaged with?
I’m in despair about changing the world, but I think we can change one little corner of it. I’ve recently become more interested in local issues, such as my neighborhood organic food market.
What presentations, publications, student support activities or community service projects have you focused on in the last couple of years?
I’ve presented papers on globalization at conferences, am active in a local peace group, moveon, and with the Wellstone Foundation.
What books/films/authors/artists, etc. pertaining to social and environmental justice have been very influential in your life?
Mary E. Clark’s book, “Ariadne’s Thread,” and Daniel Quinn’s books, “Ishmael” and the rest.
What publications do you read or would you recommend to students?
Mother Jones, The Nation and The Economist
What skills do you teach that empower students to become activists/active global citizens?
I think I get them to think critically and analytically.
Where did you do your graduate work?
I did my Masters at the University of Minnesota and my Doctorate in African Studies at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh.
What classes do you teach?
262 Cultural Anthropology, 159 Indians of the Americas, 320 Elements of Social Science, 460 Area Studies Seminar and 470 Social Science Seminar
Which of these are available to graduate students?
The 460 and 470 courses are available to graduate students.
