The Villanova University community is cordially invited to join us on Tuesday, March 15 at 4:30 p.m. in Speakers’ Corner of Falvey Memorial Library as several Villanova scholars present on “Science and the Soul” as part of the Reading Villanova series. Douglas E. Norton, PhD, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Mary-Angela Papalaskari, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Computing Sciences, and Heidi Rose, PhD, Department of Communication will share their thoughts with us at this event.

Although the talk on “Science and the Soul” is the first Reading Villanova event this semester, three other talks in this series occurred during the fall semester as well. These discussions varied in subject but were each interdisciplinary in nature. Faculty speakers joined us from all areas of the University and sparked lively conversations.

On Thursday, Oct. 1, a panel of four elite Villanova University scholars participated in a discussion on “The Global and the Interdisciplinary: ‘Education and Privilege.’” The panel determined the reasons why current issues of race and identity exist in society and also explored ways in which we can take action to challenge the status quo. Panelists included Jerusha Conner, PhD, Department of Education and Counseling; Carol Anthony, MA, Center for Peace and Justice Education; Jill McCorkel, PhD, Department of Sociology and Criminology; and Bryan Crable, PhD, Department of Communication. Each panelist described their perspective on why issues of race and inequality persist and the steps we can take to make a difference. (In case you missed it, view the presentation here!)

Jerusha Conner, Jill McCorkle, Carol Anthony and Bryan Crable participated in the panel discussion. (From left to right)

On Tuesday, Oct. 27, “The Global and the Interdisciplinary ‘Gender and Imperialism’” was discussed. Amy Way, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Communication; Chiji Akoma, PhD, associate professor, Department of English; and Catherine Warrick, PhD, associate professor, Department of Political Science shared their thoughts at this second event in the Reading Villanova series. Yeoryios Stavris, a student of Maghan Keita, PhD, professor of History and director of the Institute for Global Interdisciplinary Studies, moderated the panel. (Here is a recording of the presentation!)

Pictured (from left to right) is student moderator, Yeoryio Stavris, Dr.Chiji Akoma, Dr. Catherine Warrick and Dr. Amy Way.

Finally, on Tuesday, Dec. 1 we learned about “The Global and the Interdisciplinary ‘Diversity.’” Camille Burge, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Political Science; Brighid Dwyer, PhD, director, Program on Intergroup Relations, Multicultural Affairs; Katina Sawyer, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Psychology shared their thoughts with us at this event. (See the recording here if you missed it!)

Bridget Black, student moderator; Brighid Dwyer, PhD, director, Program on Intergroup Relations, Multicultural Affairs; Katina Sawyer, PhD, assistant professor, Dept. of Psychology; and Camille Burge, PhD, assistant professor, Dept. of Political Science

This “Science and the Soul” event, co-sponsored by the Institute for Global Interdisciplinary Studies and Falvey Memorial Library, is free and open to the public. Be sure to join in on the conversation!