How are some chemicals in plastic products harmful? Why
is soccer more popular worldwide than in the United States? What is the history
of the Christmas tree? Learn the answers to these questions and others as part
of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s College of Letters and Science
Community Lecture Series.
Offered throughout the academic year, the series is led
by UW-Stevens Point faculty experts. Lectures are held on select Tuesdays at
6:30 p.m. in the Pinery Room at the Portage County Public Library, 1001 Main
St., Stevens Point. The public is invited to attend free of charge.
The first of eight lectures, “Dysfunctional Politics:
What Are People Saying About Religion and Politics in the U.S.?” will be held
Tuesday, Sept. 15, presented by Karin Fry, professor of philosophy.
“This talk will cover the most common claims about
religion and politics from literature across the political spectrum,” said Fry.
“Since few educate themselves about their opponents’ views, we will cover how
much of the political discourse on this topic is misguided.”
Fry earned her Ph.D. in philosophy from the University
of Memphis and has taught courses such as Social and Political Philosophy,
Feminist Philosophy and Existential Philosophy. Her book, “Beyond Religious
Right and Secular Left Rhetoric: The Road to Compromise,” was published in 2014.
The Community Lecture Series schedule also includes:
- Oct. 13 – The Intriguing Life Histories of
Mosquitoes of Portage County, Jamee Hubbard, Department of Biology
- Nov. 10 – Using Math to Schedule Athletic
Conference Seasons, Andy Felt and students, Department of Mathematical Sciences
- Dec. 8 – The Roots of the Real Christmas Tree,
Neil Prendergast, Department of History
- Feb. 9 – Creation of Community at Tomahawk’s
Harley Davidson Fall Ride, Lisa Theo, Department of Geography and Geology
- March 8 – Why the World Loves Soccer But
Americans Hate It, Tobias Barske, Department of World Languages and Literatures
- April 12 – Problematic Plastics: Effects on
Brain and Behavior, Heather Molenda-Figueira, Department of Psychology
- May 10 – Cultivating Tomorrow’s Leaders: The
Value of the Model United Nations Experience, Mert Kartal and students,
Department of Political Science
For more
information on the Community Lecture Series, visit www.uwsp.edu/cols/lectureseries
or email stappa@uwsp.edu.