UCR Faculty Lecture Series

2010-2011 - Schedule of Presenters & Topics

September 21, Tuesday, 11:00am

Mieca Valen, Ph.D. – Nursing (WSU) 

Culturally Relevant Diabetes Education Program Utilizing Community Health Workers in a Hispanic Population with Type 2 Diabetes at a Migrant Clinic

An innovative, evidence-based approach to diabetes education for the local Hispanic population was developed and implemented at the Rochester Migrant Health Clinic. Local bilingual, Hispanic community health workers were educated to present diabetes education to community members and families living with Type 2 Diabetes. The program addressed the need for culturally relevant diabetes education using a creative approach that utilized minimal health care resources.

October 20, Wednesday, 12:00pm

Mark Halverson-Wente – Political Science (RCTC) & Lori Halverson-Wente – Speech (RCTC) 

Global Gender Issues: Multiculturalism and Human Rights from thethe Cambodian Perspective--Is there a Tension?

Are there fundamental tensions between a commitment to the equality of the sexes and our strong inclination and desire to respect the customs (or even "rights") of cultures and religions that might not possess such a commitment?Given the claims of multiculturalism, what should be done when the claims of minority cultures or religions clash with the value of gender equality that is endorsed by the majority in "liberal" states?  Similarly, how do those nations and cultures that respect the equality of men and women respond to those nations and cultures who, in practice, do not?  Such cultures often claim "group rights" which sanctionpractices as polygamy, forced marriage, female genital mutilation, punishing women for being raped, differential access for men and women to health care and education, unequal rights of ownership, assembly, and political participation.  The struggle for human/women's rights in Cambodia and the escalation of the sex trade and the human trafficking in women will be highlighted.

November 17, Wednesday, 12:00pm

Ginny Boyum, Ph.D. – Psychology (RCTC)

Leadership Development in Higher Education – What’s Working?

My dissertation “A model of Servant Leadership in Higher Education” offers a theoretical model of servant leadership as practiced and experienced in two different higher educational settings. Of interest is the emergence of a developmental model that incorporates a holistic perspective of both leader and follower and the construct of time.

February 8, Tuesday, 12:00pm

Life in Prague, 20 years after the Velvet Revolution

What is life like today for people in the Czech Republic?  How has joining the European Union affected the country?  What is it like to work and teach in Prague and to live without a car?  Rod and Charyssa and their two children spent the 2009-10 academic year on sabbatical in Prague and will discuss these and many other aspects of their time in the Golden City.

March 9, Wednesday, 12:00pm

Steve Bein, Ph.D. – Philosophy (RCTC)

Take a Walk on the Wild Side: Encountering Beauty and HIV in Zambia

Zambia is a land of surpassing beauty, where one can see elephants walking along the roadside and feel the spray of the world's largest waterfall.  But Zambia is also home to stark economic realities: the average income is $1,500 a year, and one in seven Zambians is HIV-positive.  In this photographic travelogue, Dr. Bein will relay some of Zambia's fascinating history, explain why it is not as easy as it seems for foreign volunteers to lend aid in Zambia, and share how average people in Minnesota can make a meaningful impact in the HIV/AIDS problem in Zambia and throughout the developing world.  He'll also share survival tips he learned from close encounters with rhinos, hippos, baboons, and an unusually aggressive giraffe.

April 4, Monday, 2:00pm

Arlen Carey, Ph.D. – Social Work (WSU) 

Doing Good or Doing Better?  Service Learning in a Global Context

2009-2010 - Schedule of Presenters & Topics

September 25, Friday, 11:00am

Barry McKnight – History (RCTC)

Piracy, Empire and the Global Economy

The piracy currently occurring in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia has deep parallels with that of the “Golden Age” of piracy in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.  Are they just bandits afloat or do they serve some other purpose?  This lecture will place today’s piracy in a historical context and will discuss the economic, social and political purposes of piracy in both periods.

Steve Bein, Ph.D. – Philosophy (RCTC)

Oppositions and Contradictions in Japanese Buddhism

In this presentation, Dr. Bein will compare and contrast two schools of Japanese Buddhism, Soto Zen (the largest Buddhist sect in Japan) and Pure Land Buddhism (among the largest sects in Japan).  Spending two years in Japan translating a classic study of Zen, he will draw on his experience to discuss some of the notable differences between these two profound systems of thought, most importantly the doctrines of self-power (jiriki), other-power (tariki), and nondualism.

Tom Davis, Ph.D. – Sociology, Psychology (RCTC)

Good News for Aging Brains and Bodies

This emphatically positive presentation will summarize recent discoveries in the science of aging that are changing the way we think about late life.

February 19, Friday, 12:00pm

Lisa Schnepper, Ph.D. – Nursing (WSU)

Healing Touch and Health-Related Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Radiation

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies are increasing in popularity in the United States, as demonstrated by an upsurge in utilization. Dr. Schnepper’s dissertation evaluated the efficacy of Healing Touch to improve Health-related Quality of Life (HRQOL) in women with early stage breast cancer receiving radiation therapy. Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer (other than skin cancer) and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States.  Dr. Schnepper’s findings underscore the importance of using Healing Touch interventions to improve the HRQOL for women undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

Lynn Guenette – Sociology (RCTC)

The McDonaldization of China:  The Effects of Globalization on the Chinese Economy and Culture.

Lynn studied in China this past summer through the Fulbright-Hays scholarship program. Did you know that McDonald’s is now the number one choice for Chinese children’s birthday parties? That McDonald’s in China has delivery drivers (on bikes) and a take-out menu? That obesity is a growing (no pun intended) problem in China? And why do Chinese have trouble figuring out a “drive-thru”?

Matt Hafar, Ph.D. – Music (RCTC)

Trombone Shout Bands of the Southeast United States

In a narrow sliver of land between Atlanta and Washington, DC, a musical phenomenon flourishes in obscurity.  The Trombone shout bands provide inspiring, music for church services in the United House of Prayer for All People.   These bands consist of 5-8 trombone players, one tuba, and a drum set.  The players do not read music, but rely on inspiration from God, and guidance from their bandleader.  The sound is amazing—a combination of gospel, blues, spirituals, and more contemporary genres, all played on trombones! The United House of Prayer is a denomination found in cities along the route of the Atlanta-DC railway.  Its founder, Charles “Sweet Daddy” Grace, is himself a fascinating subject.  Grace was flamboyant, charismatic, and is still revered today (almost 50 years after his death) as God’s messenger to man.

2008-2009 - Schedule of Presenters & 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.

View the streaming video of this lecture

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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.

View the streaming video of this lecture

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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.