E Pluribus Unum or the Two Americas?
Although the close of the Cold War ended a generation-old bipolar world, there has been much written and said in recent years about a growing bipolar nation in America. Whether it is electoral politics, foreign policy, economic trends, digital and technological developments, the “culture wars,” racial, ethnic, gender, and religious tensions, or education, public discourse is said to have become increasingly based on binary thinking that leaves little room for negotiation, compromise, collaboration, or collective benefit.
The 2005 Spring Humanities Symposium provides an opportunity to explore these declared trends. To what extent is the Two Americas thesis accurate? Where are we seeing such troubling trends? Where alternatively is there evidence of unity, consensus, integration, and the blurring of sharp dividing lines? In essence, where are the many becoming one, and where are the many becoming two? Finally, what are the promises and pitfalls of viewing the world in terms of unitary, binary, or fragmentary perspectives?
These are the critical questions we invite the community at 色综合久久 College to explore during the Spring 2005 Humanities Symposium.
Schedule
Monday, February 21 |
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3:45-4:30 p.m. |
OPENING RECEPTION (Howe Atrium, Boyer Hall)Welcome and Opening Remarks, Joseph P. Huffman, Dean of Humanities |
4:30-6:00 p.m. | E Pluribus Unum? A Roundtable on Samuel Huntington’s Who Are We? The Challenges to America’s National Identity (2004). Dr. Dean Curry & Politics Majors The Two Americas? A Roundtable on Morris Fiorina’s Culture War? The Myth of a Polarized America (2004). Dr. Robin Lauermann & Dr. Kenneth Eshleman |
6:30-8:00 p.m. |
FACULTY LECTURE (Boyer Hall 131)The Health Care Divide, Dr. Timothy Schoettle; respondent, Dr. Caleb Miller |
8:30 p.m. |
FILM SERIES: A LAND FOR ALLMy American Girls (2002) with a discussion following the screening led by Prof. Gilberto Lozano and Dr. Bernardo Michael |
Tuesday, February 22 |
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4:00-5:30 p.m. |
SENIOR HONORS THESESHow Does Puerto Rico “fit” in E Pluribus Unum? Jessica Rivera (Spanish Major) |
7:00-8:30 p.m. |
STUDENT COLLOQUIUMModeration vs. Polarization in Contemporary America, College Democrats & College Republicans |
Wednesday, February 23 |
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4:00-5:30 p.m. |
STUDENT COLLOQUIUMThe Underbelly of E Pluribus Unum: The Migrant Workers Who Carry the United States |
7:00-8:30 p.m. |
FACULTY LECTURE (Boyer Hall 131)Pluralism and Nationalism in the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. James LaGrand; respondent, Dr. John Fea |
8:30 p.m. |
FILM SERIES: A LAND FOR ALLWho Killed Vincent Chin? (1988) with a discussion following the screening led by Dr. Linda Parkyn |
Thursday, February 24 |
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9:45-10:30 a.m. |
ALTERNATE CHAPELBeyond Just War and Pacificism: E Pluribus Unum or the Two Americas? |
4:00-5:30 p.m. |
GUEST LECTUREFrom E Pluribus to Unum: Latino Inclusion in American Cultural Identity |
8:00-9:30 p.m. |
KEYNOTE ADDRESS"E Pluribus Unum or the Two Americas? An Historical Perspective" |
Friday, February 25 |
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4:00-5:30 p.m. |
PLENARY SESSIONTalk-Back Session on the Keynote Address and the Symposium Theme |
Monday, February 28 |
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7:30 p.m. |
FILM SERIES: A LAND FOR ALLThelma & Louise (1991) with a discussion following the screening led by Dr. Crystal Downing |