University News

Are you in the mood for a lively conversation about tsunamis, robots, or gangs in Memphis? Do you want to learn more about graphic novels, strange earthquake phenomena, the stem cell controversy, or the workings of a U.S. embassy?

On April 7, you can chat with experts on these and other subjects when the University of Memphis presents “Great Conversations,” a combination of dinner and discussion with some of the top professors from the College of Arts and Sciences.

The event will be held at the University Club, 1346 Central. A reception will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the dinner and conversation.

For a $75 fee, participants can choose from among 26 topics. Participants may select three topics, ranking them in order of preference. Reservations are required. To make reservations, call 901-678-1335 or e-mail krider@memphis.edu

Topics for the dinner are:

• The CHAT Game: Choosing Healthcare All Together; Dr. Camille Barsukiewicz, (Health Administration)

• Beyond “Doing Good by Doing Well”: What Social Entrepreneurs Can Learn from Business Entrepreneurs; Dr. Phyllis Betts (School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy)

• Keeping Them Down on the Farm: Cultural Politics in the 21st Century; Dr. Barbara Ching (English and the Marcus W. Orr Center for the Humanities) and Dr. Gerald Creed ( CUNY Graduate Center)

• Walkin’ in Memphis (History): The Path from Past to Present; Dr. Charles Crawford (History)

• How They Cope -- And What We Can Learn: How First Responders Dealt with Oklahoma City and 9/11; Dr. Randolph DuPont (School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy)

• How Minds Work: Human Minds, Animal Minds, Artificial Minds; Dr. Stan Franklin (Computer Science)

• Bioinformatics: The New Interdisciplinary Life Science; Dr. Segun George (Mathematical Sciences)

• The Black Athlete in American History; Dr. Aram Goudsousian (History)

• Mothering and Feminism: A Contradiction in Terms?; Dr. Nele Hempel (Foreign Languages and Literature)

• Indian Ocean Tsunami: The Power of Nature and the Resilience of People; Drs. Arleen Hill and Arch Johnston (Center for Earthquake Research and Information)

• Gun-toting Saloon Girl or Stern Suffragette? The Real Story of the Unsinkable Molly Brown; Dr. Kristen Iversen (English)

• It Can’t Happen Here: Gangs in Memphis; Richard Janikowski (Criminology and Criminal Justice)

• Why Can’t They Write? Literacy, Grammar, and Writing Instruction; Dr. Joseph Jones (English)

• Anti-Americanism and the Cheese-Eating Surrender Monkeys: French-U.S. Relations after 9/11; Dr. Jonathan Judaken (History)

• A New Business Partnership: Hispanic American Business from a Global Perspective; Dr. Felipe Lapuente (Foreign Languages and Literature)

• Memphis and Ghana: Roots across the Atlantic; Dr. Dennis Laumann (History)

• Can Computers Be Good Conversational Partners?; Dr. Max Louwerse (Psychology)

• Minority Representation and Government; Dr. Charles Menifield (Public and Nonprofit Administration)

• I, Robot: Fiction, Fact, and the Future; Dr. Lee McCauley (Computer Science)

• The Stem Cell Controversy: Problems and Promises; Dr. Sarah Clark Miller (Philosophy)

• Paradise Lost? The Future of Shelby Farms; Dr. Gene Pearson (Planning)

• Inside a U.S. Embassy; Ambassador Mary Pendleton (Diplomat in Residence)

• Bright Lights, Thunderous Booms and Barking Dogs, or “Strange Earthquake Phenomena;” Drs. Chris Powell and Charles Langston (CERI)

• Where Does My Food Come From? The Politics and Realities of Our Global Food Supply; Dr. Steve Scanlan (Sociology)

• Parallel Lives: Black and White Women in American History; Drs. Beverly Bond and Janann Sherman (History)

• The Serious Side of the Comic Books: The Graphic Novel; Dr. Stephen Tabachnick (English)

The purpose of “Great Conversations” is threefold: to educate the Memphis community about the far-reaching research taking place at the University; to foster an appreciation of the U of M’s mission as a metropolitan research institution dedicated to improving the quality of life in Memphis and the Mid-South; and to highlight the University’s participation in Memphis’ growing role as a global city by spotlighting the college’s outreach programs. Proceeds will go toward faculty development and community outreach initiatives.

For more information, visit the “Great Conversations” Web site at: http://cas.memphis.edu/conversations

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