UCR Faculty Lecture Series

2008-2009 - Schedule of Presentors & Topics

September 29, Monday, 1:00pm

Terry Krieger – Math (RCTC)

My Other Home is a Kingdom: Stories from Swaziland, Africa

Terry has spent two years in Swaziland, Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer about 20 years ago.  He as there when Nelson Mandela was released from prison in South Africa.  Through this experience, he learned a great deal about himself, his home country, his host country, and the Swazi people.  He will share his experiences with us.

October 28, Tuesday, 10:00am

Katherine Hanson, Ph.D.  – English (RCTC)

Beyond Thoreau: American and International Responses to Nature

Many are just coming to realize the need to pay closer attention to the way humans have interacted with the earth. What has been the impact of classic American nature writers such as Henry David Thoreau, John Muir, Mary Austin, Willa Cather, Aldo Leopold, Rachel Carson, Wendell Berry, and Terry Tempest Williams on our views of the value of nature? What do Native American writers such as M. Scott Momaday, Leslie Marmon Silko, Simon Ortiz, Linda Hogan, Sherman Alexie, and Winona LaDuke add to the conversation? How do they see the world differently and what can we learn from them? What are international activists such as Arundhati Roy  (India) and Wangari Maathai (Kenya) adding to this conversation? In order to awaken to the needs of future generations, what do we need to be aware of, pay attention to, and take action on in order to make sure there is a future for future generations?  What are writers saying now and what are some proposals for action?

November 20, Thursday, 12:00pm

Dennis Lawler – Economics (RCTC)

Economic Changes in Venezuela

Dennis has taught economics for 16 years in Venezuela.  The economics of Venezuela are strongly connected to the political situation.  For example, until 1989 Venezuela lived off the partition (unequal) of oil revenue, calling it "sowing the petroleum." Then in 1989 the government used "shock" to push Venezuela into a market economy, with the FMI and the World Bank. Then in 1992, it was back to the 80's paternal economy. Then in 1999, Hugo Chavez started toward "21st century socialism" as an economic system.  In this lecture, he will share what he experienced during these changes.

February 24, Tuesday, 1:00pm

Ruth Casper, Ph.D.  – Psychology (RCTC

How Do Children React to a Sexual Abuse Prevention Program?

Every 2^nd and 5^th grader in Rochester public and private schools take part in TOUCH Continuum—a sexual abuse prevention program.  However, no research had been conducted to assess (1) if students learn anything and (2) children’s reaction to the program.  This lecture will summarize a program evaluation that Dr. Casper conducted—including more than 500 children—that assessed the children’s knowledge of sexual abuse.  It also outlines the characteristics of children who become afraid from taking part in such a program.

March 25, Wednesday, 11:00am

Ann Olson – Nursing (WSU)

“Just How Dense Are We?” The Winona Area Perimenopausal Bone Density Project

Ann‘s  experimental research in her PhD dissertation  measured how perimenopausal women respond to bone density test results.  The goal of her program is to improve the health of women by increasing bone health promotion behaviors known to reduce osteoporosis risk, and to add to existing evidence that promotes earlier screening using bone density technology.  Ann will share the findings of this important research.

April 29, Wednesday, 10:00am

Laurel Panser -- Humanities, Geography (RCTC),
Darlene Voeltz -- Business, Economics (RCTC)

Economic and Geographic Morocco

Both Laurel and Darlene received Fulbright-Hays Fellowships to travel to Morocco.  Their shared presentation will include issues about the role of women in business, globalization as it impacts Morocco, development issues, urbanization and sounds/sites of North Africa.

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2008 SPRING SEMESTER -- Archives

Tuesday, February 26, 1:00
Robin Fruth-Dugstad (Horticulture, RCTC)
Ethnobotany: the complex relationships between plants and humans

Robin Fruth-Dugstad’s lecture will focus on ethnobotany  --  how plants have been or are used, managed and perceived in human societies.  The focus will be on the Mayans, tribes of the Amazon, and native Hawaiians, with the information gathered from various study trips Ms. Fruth-Dugstad has taken to these areas. 

View the streaming video of this lecture

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Thursday, March 27, 10:00
Atef Dimian (Poly Sci, RCTC)
The Democratic Peace

A theory placed by Immanuel Kant argues that since leaders in democratic societies are accountable to its citizens, the leaders are less likely to go to war.  The argument today is that democratic societies are less likely to go to war with each other. Mr. Dimian will define the idea of democratic peace and how it relates to historical and modern international relations in the world theater.

View the streaming video of this lecture

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Wednesday, April 23, 12:00
John Tacinelli Ph.D. (geology, RCTC)
Exploring the Arctic: An Adventure in Greenland

This lecture will be part travelogue, part geology, and part history as Dr.Tacinelli takes us on a figurative trip to a geologist's paradise.  He will talk about his graduate-level study trip to Greenland and the geological research that came out of it. 

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