Renfrew Colloquium: Easy for Humans, Hard for AI - Metaphor Abstraction and Reasoning
Malcolm M. Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium
The Malcolm Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium presents: "EASY for Humans, HARD for AI: Metaphor Abstraction and Reasoning."
The speaker is Bert Baumgaertner (Politics & Philosophy).
University Location: 101 - Library - Main Campus.
Tuesday, September 2, 2025, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM.
For more info visit www.uidaho.edu. "Grave of the Fireflies"
Attend a free screening of "Grave of the Fireflies" as a part of the AsiaPOP! Studio Ghibli symposium.
"As the Empire of the Sun crumbles upon itself and a rain of firebombs falls upon Japan, the final death march of a nation is echoed in millions of smaller tragedies. This is the story of Seita and his younger sister Setsuko, two children born at the wrong time, in the wrong place, and now cast adrift in a world that lacks not the care to shelter them, but simply the resources. Forced to fend for themselves in the aftermath of fires that swept entire cities from the face of the earth, their doomed struggle is both a tribute to the human spirit and the stuff of nightmares. Beautiful, yet at times brutal and horrifying. Based on the retellings of survivor Nosaka Akiyuki, Grave has been universally hailed as an artistic and emotional tour de force, one of the rare films that truly deserves to be called a masterpiece." - GKIDS
AsiaPOP! 2025 is organized by the Habib Institute for Asian Studies, and is co-spons…
Tuesday, September 2, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre
508 S. Main Street. Moscow, ID.
Studio Ghibli Cosplay and Asian Studies Open House
Dress like your favorite Studio Ghibli character and attend the Asian Studies Library open house in Admin 204. In addition to Japanese snacks, there will be J-Pop on the speakers, manga on the shelves and loads of fun as illustrious professors Becca Scofield (History) and Abigail Coleman (Theater) judge costumes and award prizes from the VandalStore. Don't want to dress up, no problem, all are welcome at this AsiaPOP! Studio Ghibli event. For full cosplay contest rules, email class-asia@uidaho.edu or see UIAsianStudies on Insta.
AsiaPOP! Studio Ghibli is organized by the Habib Institute for Asian Studies and co-sponsored by the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences, the College of Art and Architecture and the Lionel Hampton School of Music.
Thursday, September 4, 2025, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Administration Building 204.
Renfrew Colloquium: The Kibbie Dome Becomes History
Malcolm M. Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium
The Malcolm Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium presents: "The Kibbie Dome Becomes History."
The speaker is Nels Reese (Architecture, emeritus).
University Location: 101 - Library - Main Campus.
Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM.
For more info visit www.uidaho.edu. Pom Poko
Enjoy a free screening of a Studio Ghibli deep cut, "Pom Poko," as a part of the University of Idaho's AsiaPOP! Studio Ghibli symposium.
"In this brilliant and often overlooked Studio Ghibli masterpiece from Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Isao Takahata, the forests are filled with groups of magical tanuki, mischievous raccoon-like animals from Japanese folklore that are capable of shape-shifting from their standard raccoon form to practically any object. The tanuki spend their days playing idly in the hillsides and squabbling over food – until the construction of a huge new Tokyo suburb clears the nearby forest and threatens their way of life. In an effort to defend their home, the tanuki learn to transform into humans and start playing tricks to make the workers think the construction site is haunted, ending in a spectacular night-time spirit parade, with thousands of ghosts, dragons and other magical creatures descending on the city — in an abundance of fantastical characters that would not be matched o…
Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre
508 S. Main Street, Moscow, ID.
From Nausicaä to Manga Aesthetics: A workshop and lecture
Dive deep into Hayao Miyazaki's manga version of "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" in this hybrid manga drawing workshop/lecture. Professor Lien Fan Shen examines Nausicaä's visual elements, pacing and sequence of storyboarding. This combined workshop-lecture blends close reading with hands-on drawing exercises, helping participants apply manga-inspired techniques to craft emotionally rich narratives in participants’ own creative projects. The session is free and open to the public. Attendees who intend to draw should bring their sketch pad and drawing tools.
Lien Fan Shen is an artist, scholar and professor of Animation in the Department of Film and Media Arts at the University of Utah. Shen’s scholarly writing explores anime, manga and visual culture. Her animated documentary Seeing Through the Eyes of Crocodiles won awards in Shanghai and Boston. Her recent works include an online comic The 21st Century Girls and Their Romance, published on Creative Comic Collection.
AsiaPOP! Studio Ghibli is organize…
University Location: Clearwater-Whitewater - Idaho Student Union Building - Main Campus.
Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM.
The Music of Studio Ghibli by Sixth Station Trio
The beloved songs of composer Joe Hisaishi have moved viewers of Studio Ghibli films for years. Come enjoy a live performance by Sixth Station Trio of your favorites from films such as Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke and more, as a part of the AsiaPOP! Studio Ghibli symposium. The performance is free and open to the public and is an ASUI Centennial Fine Arts Endowment Event.
Sixth Station Trio is a professional violin, cello and piano trio based in San Francisco. Since their debut in 2023, Sixth Station Trio has kept a busy schedule, including performances at Grace Cathedral, the Asian Art Museum, Old First Concerts, The Game Developer’s Conference, Fanime and Super MAGFest/MAGWest and have been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle, SF Gate and on KTVU Channel 2 News, among others.
AsiaPOP! Studio Ghibli is organized by the Habib Institute for Asian Studies and is co-sponsored by the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences, the College of Art and Architec…
University Location: Auditorium - Administration Building - Main Campus.
Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
'Miyazaki Is My Religion:' Studio Ghibli and Spirituality
The worlds of Studio Ghibli are full of gods, spirits, monsters and magic. This talk explores religious themes and imagery in the animated films of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, the directors’ outlook on religion and the impact they have had on fan’s spiritual lives.
Kaitlyn Ugoretz is an instructor and associate editor at the Nanzan Institute for Religion and Culture in Japan. Her research focuses on how popular culture and digital technology are helping spread the Japanese religion called Shinto around the world. Ugoretz hosts the award-winning YouTube channel Eat Pray Anime, which explores the religious history and culture behind everyone’s favorite Japan-related media. She consults on Japanese culture for TV, comics and games, including Upper Deck’s recent myth-based TCG Rush of Ikorr (2025).
The talk is free and open to the public as a part of the AsiaPOP! Studio Ghibli symposium. AsiaPOP! is organized by the University of Idaho's Habib Institute for Asian Studies and co-sponsored by the College of…
University Location: Clearwater-Whitewater - Idaho Student Union Building - Main Campus.
Thursday, September 11, 2025, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Studio Ghibli: Who's the Audience? A talk by former Studio Ghibli executive Steve Alpert
Former Studio Ghibli senior executive Steve Alpert will share his inside knowledge of Studio Ghibli, having spent fifteen years there working closely with Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki. Alpert speaks Japanese fluently, having lived in Tokyo, Kyoto and Taipei for a combined total of over thirty-five years. Beginning in 1996, Alpert was a senior executive at Studio Ghibli, where he was instrumental in bringing Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and other Ghibli films to an international audience. He was also the voice of Castorp in the original Japanese version of The Wind Rises. Alpert is the author of Sharing a House with the Never-Ending Man: 15 Years at Studio Ghibli and Kyoto Stories. He lives in New Haven, Connecticut.
This AsiaPOP! Studio Ghibli event is free and open to the public. AsiaPOP! Studio Ghibli is organized by the University of Idaho's Habib Institute for Asian Studies and is co-sponsored by the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences, the College of Art and Architecture and the Lionel…
University Location: Clearwater-Whitewater - Idaho Student Union Building - Main Campus.
Thursday, September 11, 2025, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Renfrew Colloquium: Burn It All Down - The Feminist Imagination in 20th Century Dragon Riding Fiction
Malcolm M. Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium
The Malcolm Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium presents: "Burn It All Down: The Feminist Imagination in 20th Century Dragon Riding Fiction."
The speaker is Rebecca Scofield (History).
University Location: 101 - Library - Main Campus.
Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM.
For more info visit www.uidaho.edu. Guest Artist Recital - Dr. James Hall, flute
Join the LHSOM for a guest recital featuring Dr. James Hall, flute. Counts as MusX1400 Recital Attendance "Faculty/Guest." Free to attend.
University Location: Haddock Performance Hall - Lionel Hampton School of Music - Main Campus.
Friday, September 19, 2025, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM.
Renfrew Colloquium: Voices and Votes - Democracy in America
Malcolm M. Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium
The Malcolm Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium presents: "Voices and Votes: Democracy in America."
The speaker is Markie McBrayer (Politics & Philosophy).
University Location: 101 - Library - Main Campus.
Tuesday, September 23, 2025, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM.
For more info visit www.uidaho.edu. Faculty Chamber Music Recital
Join the LHSOM for a faculty chamber music recital. Counts as MusX1400 Recital Attendance "Faculty/Guest." Free to attend.
University Location: Haddock Performance Hall - Lionel Hampton School of Music - Main Campus.
Tuesday, September 23, 2025, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM.
ACMS presents Lyyra
Lyyra is a new all-women vocal ensemble from The VOCES8 Foundation, based in the USA. With velvety richness and star-like brilliance, Lyyra showcases the full spectrum of women’s vocal artistry across classical, jazz, pop and folk. This vibrant group is redefining the role of upper-voice ensembles, creating world-class musical experiences that inspire and elevate the choral landscape.
Hosted by the Auditorium Chamber Music Series.
Tickets at uitickets.com or at the door (card only).
University Location: Auditorium - Administration Building - Main Campus.
Thursday, September 25, 2025, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM.
For more info visit uitickets.evenue.net. Renfrew Colloquium and Borah Symposium: Power Competition in the 21st Century - A View from the Middle East
Malcolm M. Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium
The Malcolm Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium and the Borah Symposium present: "Great Power Competition in the 21st Century: A View from the Middle East."
The speaker is Emine Arol (Visiting Scholar).
University Location: Vandal Ballroom - Bruce M. Pitman Center - Main Campus.
Tuesday, September 30, 2025, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM.
For more info visit www.uidaho.edu. Renfrew Colloquium: Air Quality and Behavioral Decision-Making
Malcolm M. Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium
The Malcolm Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium presents: "'Should I Stay or Should I Go?': Air Quality and Behavioral Decision-Making."
The speaker is Chris Zajchowski (Natural Resources & Society).
University Location: 101 - Library - Main Campus.
Tuesday, October 7, 2025, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM.
For more info visit www.uidaho.edu. CLASS Networking Night
The CLASS Networking Night’s focus is bringing together students, alumni, faculty, recruiters and employers from various industries to allow students to learn about different organizations and career paths.
Please join us for our networking mixer from 4 - 6 p.m. on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. The event will be held in the Vandal Ballroom, which is located on the second floor of the Bruce M. Pitman Center.
Yes - you can get a job or internship with a humanities, arts and social science degree! Make valuable connections and establish rapport before the Career Fair on October 8.
Drinks and small appetizers will be served. Dress is business casual.
University Location: Vandal Ballroom - Bruce M. Pitman Center - Main Campus. Questions? Danae Nagle dnagle@uidaho.edu.
Tuesday, October 7, 2025, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
For more info visit uidaho.joinhandshake.com. Renfrew Colloquium: The Postwar Lives of Hitler’s Political Enemies
Malcolm M. Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium
The Malcolm Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium presents: "Perpetual Prisoners: The Postwar Lives of Hitler’s Political Enemies."
The speaker is Alex Ruble (History).
University Location: 101 - Library - Main Campus.
Tuesday, October 14, 2025, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM.
For more info visit www.uidaho.edu. Renfrew Colloquium: Behind the Scenes at “Idaho Reports”
Malcolm M. Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium
The Malcolm Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium presents: "Behind the Scenes at 'Idaho Reports'."
The speaker is Melissa Davlin (Idaho Public Television, UI Alumna).
University Location: 101 - Library - Main Campus.
Tuesday, October 21, 2025, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM.
For more info visit www.uidaho.edu. Renfrew Colloquium: Project Evergreen - An Autonomous Weed Eradication Robot
Malcolm M. Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium
The Malcolm Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium presents: "Project Evergreen: An Autonomous Weed Eradication Robot."
The speakers are John Shovic & Brent Knopp (Center for Intelligent Industrial Robotics).
University Location: 101 - Library - Main Campus.
Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM.
For more info visit www.uidaho.edu. Renfrew Colloquium: The Blues and the Rule of Law - Musical Expressions of the Failure of Justice as a Catalyst for Change
Malcolm M. Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium
The Malcolm Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium presents: "The Blues and the Rule of Law: Musical Expressions of the Failure of Justice as a Catalyst for Change."
The speaker is David Pimentel (Law).
University Location: 101 - Library - Main Campus.
Tuesday, November 4, 2025, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM.
For more info visit www.uidaho.edu. CANCELLED - Renfrew Colloquium: How to Keep Wildlife Vaccines from Affecting Human Populations
Malcolm M. Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium
The Malcolm Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium presents: "How to Keep Wildlife Vaccines from Affecting Human Populations."
The speaker is Scott Nuismer (Biological Sciences).
University Location: 101 - Library - Main Campus.
Tuesday, November 11, 2025, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM.
For more info visit www.uidaho.edu. Renfrew Colloquium: Impact of Tariffs on International Trade, U.S. Consumers and Financial Markets
Malcolm M. Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium
The Malcolm Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium presents: "Impact of Tariffs on International Trade, U.S. Consumers and Financial Markets."
The speakers are Terrance Grieb & Steven Peterson (Business).
University Location: 101 - Library - Main Campus.
Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM.
For more info visit www.uidaho.edu. ACMS presents Jeremy Denk & Richard O'Neill
Acclaimed pianist Jeremy Denk and violist Richard O’Neill come together for an evening of exceptional chamber music. Denk, a MacArthur Fellow and Avery Fisher Prize winner, is known for his wide-ranging programs and collaborations. O’Neill, a GRAMMY and EMMY winner, is a member of the Takács Quartet and has performed with top orchestras worldwide.
Hosted by the Auditorium Chamber Music Series.
Tickets at uitickets.com or at the door (card only).
University Location: Auditorium - Administration Building - Main Campus.
Thursday, November 20, 2025, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM.
For more info visit uitickets.evenue.net.