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Dr. Dan Murphree, assistant professor of history at the University of Texas at Tyler, leads the first 2008 Great Decisions discussion at noon on Wednesday, Jan. 16.

He will share his expertise about Latin America and helping the participants look at the relationships between the U.S. and Latin America. The discussion can touch on many aspects of these relationships: What factors have prevented the U.S. and its southern neighbors from forging steady and strong relationships? What can be done to improve these interactions? What are the major challenges the nation faces in Latin America now?

This event is the first in a series of eight foreign policy discussions that will meet at noon on consecutive Wednesdays beginning on January 16 and continuing through March 5. Sponsored by three local organizations, the discussions are part of a national effort started over 50 years ago by the Foreign Policy Association. The local sponsors are AAUW (American Association of University Women) – Tyler Branch; the League of Women Voters of Tyler/Smith County; and the Tyler Public Library.

Dr. Murphree earned his B.A. from Auburn University and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Florida State University. His first book – "Constructing Floridians: Natives and Europeans in the Colonial Floridas, 1513-1783" - won two awards: the Silver Medal in the 2007 Florida Book Awards, nonfiction category; and the Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Award from the Florida Historical Society. In addition, 16 of his articles have appeared in journals, as chapters in books, and as encyclopedia entries.

A popular teacher at Florida State University, he earned the Thomas M. Campbell Award for Teaching Excellence in 1999. At Mills College, he directed two National Endowment for the Humanities grants, each one focusing on teaching excellence. At UT Tyler, he received the Junior Faculty Research grant and was nominated for the Excellence in Teaching Award.

Murphree is also popular at historical conferences with 19 presentations on record. Additionally, he has been invited to serve in various capacities, such as editor, advisor, reviewer, and evaluator for many historical publications and projects. For example, he has lent his talents to such well-known organizations as Educational Testing Service, Advanced Placement Program; Longman and McGraw-Hill Textbooks; and Prentice-Hall, as well as several universities and historical teaching consortia.

His teaching career includes many aspects of U.S., world, and Latin American history. Particularly relevant for the upcoming Great Decisions discussion are his courses in Latin American Civilization, Colonial Latin America, Modern Latin America, and History of Mexico.

-- submitted by Dee Brock