November 29, 2023
SIU’s Paul Simon Institute guest to discuss how leaders can use Shakespeare
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Eliot Cohen, a national security expert at the Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies and an authority on William Shakespeare, will join Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute for a virtual discussion on Dec. 11.
Cohen will join John Shaw, institute director, for a discussion on Cohen’s new book, “The Hollow Crown: Shakespeare on How Leaders Rise, Rule and Fall.”
The free, public discussion via Zoom is at 2 p.m.; registration is required. The conversation is part of the institute’s “Understanding Our New World” discussion series. Visit paulsimoninstitute.org/events to register.
“Eliot Cohen’s book provides a master class on Shakespeare, leadership and politics,” Shaw said. “He is one of the most interesting and respected analysts of American national security and foreign policy. He is also a formidable scholar of William Shakespeare and has many intriguing insights as to how political and business leaders can draw wisdom, inspiration and guidance from Shakespeare.”
Cohen has served in the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Defense and the defense department’s Defense Policy Board. Cohen has been teaching at the School of Advanced International Studies since 1990 and served as dean from 2019 to 2021. He earned his bachelor’s degree and doctorate, both in political science, from Harvard, where he also taught. Cohen previously taught at the U.S. Naval War College.
Cohen has written several books, including “Supreme Command: Soldiers, Statesmen, and Leadership in Wartime” and “Big Stick: The Limits of Soft Power and The Necessity of Military Force.” He is also a contributing editor at The Atlantic.
Attendees are encouraged to submit questions for Cohenon the registration form or email questions to paulsimoninstitute@siu.edu.
More information, a list of the institute’s upcoming events and past speakers and events are available.