Role of humanities at WMU is topic of discussionSept. 20, 2010 KALAMAZOO--A discussion covering both the nature of humanities in modern education and a future Center for the Humanities at Western Michigan University will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, in Room 157 of the Bernhard Center. Dr. Timothy Greene, provost and vice president for academic affairs; Dr. Alex Enyedi, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; and Dr. Margaret Merrion, dean of the College of Fine Arts, will speak on ideas for building the center and engage in a discussion about the value of a liberal education. A Bell's beer, wine and cheese reception will follow. People interested in the humanities are invited to join the conversation. Visit the new website, wmich.edu/humanities for details and to reserve a spot for the event. The talk is the first in a yearlong series titled, "Placing Humanities in the Center," which will explore topics related to a possible humanities center at WMU. An advisory board with members from the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Fine Arts, and Education and Human Development as well as from the Lee Honors College, the Graduate College and University Libraries has been meeting over the past year to gather information and plan discussion on the topic. During the fall semester, the group will read Martha Nussbaum's "Not for Profit: Why Democracy Needs the Humanities," in preparation for the author's keynote campus visit in January. Copies of her book will be given out at the Sept. 23 meeting. For more information, contact Dr. Katherine Joslin, professor of English, at katherine.joslin@wmich.edu or (269) 387-2599. Media contact: Deanne Puca, (269) 387-8400, deanne.puca@wmich.edu WMU News |
