WMU News

Bowers to be visiting scholar

Sept. 16, 1997

KALAMAZOO -- An expert on education, culture and ecological studies will speak at Western Michigan University Thursday, Oct. 2, as part of its Visiting Scholars and Artists Program.

Dr. C.A. Bowers, professor of education at Portland State University, will speak at 7:30 p.m. in the West Ballroom of the Bernhard Center. The title of his talk is "The Culture of Denial: How Universities Contribute to the Ecological Crisis." A reception will follow the free talk in the center's Brown and Gold Room.

Bowers is the author of numerous articles for professional education journals as well as several books, including "Education, Cultural Myths and the Ecological Crisis: Toward Deep Changes," "Educating for an Ecologically Sustainable Culture: Rethinking Moral Education, Creativity, Intelligence and Other Modern Orthodoxies" and, most recently, "The Culture of Denial: Why the Environmental Movement Needs a Strategy for Reforming Universities and Public Schools."

In his lecture, he is expected to discuss how the high-status values and knowledge promoted in universities subtly contribute to the consumer, technological and individually-centered form of culture that is degrading society's natural systems. He will suggest changes that support new, ecologically sustainable paths for society.

Bowers' lecture is being coordinated by the Environmental Studies Program in the Department of Science Studies. For more information, persons may contact Dr. Larry D. Oppliger, chairperson of the department, at 387-5407.

The Visiting Scholars and Artists Program was established in 1960 and has supported some 500 visits by scholars and artists representing more than 65 academic disciplines. The chairperson of the committee that oversees the program is Dr. Linda L. Dannison, chairperson of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences.


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