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Lecture Series

"Food Prisons: A Musical Play about Body Image and Eating Disorders"
8:00pm Friday & Saturday, February 10th & 11th
Dalton Recital Hall

Christine Iaderosa

"Talkback" from SMEDA (Southwest Michigan Eating Disorder Awareness) following both performances.

Abstract: Food Prisons is a musical play about body image and eating disorders that examines the lives people lead when they're obsessed with food and how they look in today's society. Written by Christine Iaderosa, music by Adam Schumaker.

Co-sponsored by: Sindecuse Center's health Promotion and Education Department, Eating Disorder Awareness, and Southwest Michigan Eating Disorder Awareness (SMEDA)

"The HPV Vaccine Controversy: Science, Ethics, and Politics"
12:00 Noon Thursday, February 23rd
Putney Auditorium- Fetzer Center

Art Caplan- University of Pennsylvania

Light lunch, first come first served. No pre-registration required.

Abstract: In June 2006, the national Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended that girls between 11 and 12 be routinely vaccinated against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer. Michigan was the first state to introduce legislation mandating the vaccine. Although that bill did not pass, a similar one was enacted in 2007 in the District of Columbia. Meanwhile, Michigan and more than a dozen other states have opted for funding or educating about the vaccine. Michigan health officials foresee the HPV vaccine eventually becoming a school requirement for both pre-teen girls and boys. Such policies are controversial, however.

During a Republican presidential debate last year, Texas Gov. Rick Perry faced criticism for his decision to sign an executive order mandating HPV vaccination for girls 12 and up (the legislature passed a law disallowing the order). GOP candidate Michele Bachmann implied after another debate that the vaccine could cause mental retardation. Prof. Caplan challenged the Congresswoman to produce one real person who has suffered retardation due to the vaccine in exchange for a $10,000 donation to a charity of her choice (Bachmann did not meet the challenge).

The controversy over the HPV vaccine is only the latest example of people questioning the safety of vaccines and states' efforts to encourage widespread vaccination. What do we know about the safety of vaccines and their effectiveness? Should vaccines be required for school and day-care attendance? If parents opt out, should doctors refuse to care for their children to avoid exposing other patients to disease? is it ethical to refuse vaccination on the "free rider" principle that you can get the benefits of "herd immunity" without the sting?

"The Inevitability of Rationing and How to be Fair About It"
4:00pm Thursday, February 23rd
2008 Richmond Center

Art Caplan- University of Pennsylvania

Abstract: Art Caplan is the Emmanuel and Robert Hart Director of the Center for Bioethics and the Sidney D. Caplan Professor of Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of numerous publications, appears frequently as a guest in the national and international media, and writes a column on bioethics for MSNBC.com. He holds a PhD in the history and philosophy of science and seven honorary degrees from colleges and medical schools.

Some argue that we can avoid rationing health care. Dr. Caplan will use demographics that prove this view is simply wrong, and will take up practical questions. If we must ration, how ought we do so? And if we do so, who should ration and what principles ought they to follow?

Co-sponsored by the WMU Medical Humanities Workgroup, WMU School of Medicine, WMU College of Health and Human Services, and WMU College of Fine Arts

"Blind Spots"
3:15pm Tuesday, March 13th
President's Dining Room (Bernhard Center)

Panelists:
Elaine Englehardt- WMU (Philosophy) & Utah Valley University
Norman W. Hawker- WMU (Financial & Commercial Law)
Ronald Kramer- WMU (Sociology)
Michael Pritchard- WMU (Philosophy)

Abstract: A panel discussion of ethical issues in the book "Blind Spots" written by Max H. Bazerman and Ann E. Tenbrunsel (Princeton University Press, 2011).

"Ethical Leadership in Education"
3:30pm Tuesday, March 26th
2008 Richmond Center

Alex Enyedi- Dean, WMU College of Arts & Sciences
Timothy J. Greene- WMU Provost and VP for Academic Affairs

Abstract coming soon!

"Teaching as Ethical Quest: Pitfalls and Possibilities"
7:00pm Monday, April 9th
2008 Richmond Center

Chris Higgins- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

This talk is co-sponsored by the WMU Center for the Humanities, which is hosting an interdisciplinary study group that will discuss Higgins’ book, The Good Life of Teaching: An Ethics of Professional Practice (Wiley-Blackwell, 2011) at 10 a.m. on Feb. 3, Feb. 17, March 16, and April 13 in the Humanities Center in Knauss Hall.

For more information visit: http://www.wmich.edu/humanities/research/interdisciplinary-s12borden.html