Correction Appended
I often hear many comparisons between Dartmouth and camp. I feel that. Especially when the sun's out (and perhaps guns are out too), and an entire afternoon can be passed on the Green with friends. On these gorgeous fall days it can be easy to forget the reason most people came to Dartmouth: to learn. It's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of classes, sports and extracurriculars. But what about learning for learning's sake? Dr. Seuss once said, "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." We're all going places at Dartmouth. But don't confuse the admissions letter with a guarantee of learning we have to seek it out. Here's something to add to your Fall term bucket list an academic lecture. It's not like you'd be playing pong at those times anyway. Before you say no, try it. As Seuss also said, "If you never did you should. These things are fun and fun is good".
Monday, Sept. 27th (Panel, entitled "Arts In Crisis: Healing A Nation's Wounds") and Tuesday, Sept. 28th(Performance)Where: 041 Haldeman Center and The HopFollowing this year's Dartmouth Centers Forum's theme, "Speak Out/Listen UP!," the Khmer Arts Ensemble will perform a unique piece that draws on Cambodian mythology to comment on absolute power in Cambodia. Before the performance, join choreographer Sophiline Cheam Shapiro, professor of history Edward Miller, professor of theater Laura Edmondson, and Aimee Le '12 in a discussion about how artists worldwide respond to social issues particularly power abuses in their work.
Tuesday, Sept. 28th at 6 p.m.:Panel of Dartmouth Alumni in the Peace CorpsWhere: Collis Common GroundDid you know that the Peace Corps language schools are based on the Rassias method of our very own Professor John Rassias? Come listen to Dartmouth alumni and returned Peace Corps Volunteers tell stories of their overseas experiences experiences that more than 600 Dartmouth grads have participated in over the past 50 years. Whether you're Professor Rassias #1 fan, a Peace Corps prospie or simply interested in service, come hear what these Dartmouth alums have to say. Sponsored by the Tucker Foundation.
Wednesday, Sept. 29th 4 p.m.: "Where are the Anthropologists? Explaining the Middle East to Policy Makers and the Public (WHO)"Where: 317 Silsby HallThis provocative lecture, part of this year's series, "The United States in the Middle East," will call into question how American officials obtain information and train both military and diplomats. As the wife of the former Ambassador to the Republic of Yemen and the United Arab Emirates, Rugh has seen first hand how problems of cultural understanding impacts American officials' attempts to deal with local populations in the region. Rugh will present her view on why American ignorance of culture is a problem, review some of the biases in literature and media used as sources of information, and explain how policy makers and the public can develop a more nuanced view of the region.
Thursday, Sept. 30th at 7:30 p.m.: "An Evening Without: Giving Voice To The Silenced"Where: Centre Congregational Church (193 Main Street, Brattleboro, Vt.)Feel like a Road trip to Brattleboro? If so, join Upper Valley residents in celebration of freedom of speech by listening to a reading of works that have been "challenged, censored or banned." This event, which falls during Banned Books Week, is a chance to get up close and personal with Vermont authors and show support for the First Amendment.
Friday, Oct. 1st at 3:30 p.m.: "Creating Technology to Convert Renewable Resources into Value-Added Products: The Case of the Coconut"Where: in Spanos Auditorium, Cummings Hall, Thayer SchoolThe coconut-water craze has made the tropical fruit a HOT topic in the developing world. But could (and should) the developing world also become coco-crazy? Come hear Dr. Walter Bradley of Baylor University, Texas discuss how these abundant yet under-valued renewable resources, can spur economic development in underdeveloped countries. Learn about the properties of constituent parts of coconuts and their applications in tangible market opportunities, particularly in small villages near the equator.
Monday, Oct. 4 p.m.: "Science Between Tradition and Modernity: Clinical Research and Tibetan Medicine"Where: Kemeny 006Is it possible to advocate for both modern science and cultural preservation? As it stands, Western medicine tends to favor modernity over tradition. Yet for many other cultures, health systems have a difficult time navigating the path between innovation and age-old practice. In this lecture, Dr. Dorjee will discuss Tibetan healing practices which incorporate both ancient medical tradition and contemporary medical practice. How do these practices converge and diverge with medical systems typically qualified by the words "Western," "Asian," or conventional? Come ready to question your understanding of medicine not just the practice, but also the values that guide it.
Thursday, Oct. 7th at 4:30p.m.: "College: What It Was, Is, and Should Be" Where: Filene AuditoriumWhat does the man Time Magazine once named "America's Best Social Critic" think about Colleges? In this annual Battle Lecture in Applied Ethics, Columbia Professor of American Studies Andrew Delbanco will critique colleges both past and present and present a vision for the future of education. As a prolific writer on American literary and religious history alike, Delbanco will be sure to offer an interesting viewpoint on contemporary education.
Friday, Oct. 15th at 3:30 p.m.: "Ices and Oceans in the Outer Solar System: Considerations for Habitability" Where: Spanos Auditorium, Cummings Hall, Thayer SchoolCalling all closeted E.T. fans! Robert Pappalardo of NASA will be travelling all the way to Hanover (sadly, not by rocketship) to discuss the role of water in the search for extraterrestrial life. Not buying the current theories? Pappalardo He will separate fact from fiction in the quest for non-earthlings and delve into specific regions in outerspace thought to be candidates for oceans. One such area is Europa, Jupiter's Icy Moon.
Friday, Oct. 22nd at 3:15 p.m.: "Leadership, Climate Change and Innovation" with Peter A. Darbee '75, Tu'77, PG&E CorporationWhere: 041 Haldeman CenterWhether you're considering an ENVS thesis or you're more of a cabin-camper, Dartmouth alum Darbee will inspire and provoke you with his thoughts on climate change and the corporate world. You can then impress corporate recruiters with a newfound perspective on how the natural and corporate world interact. Given his leading role in the energy industry, Darbee is sure to inspire and inform with his thoughts on climate innovation, technology and policy.
Wednesday, Nov. 2nd at 4:00 p.m.: "Politics in Social-Ecological Systems: The Case of the Arctic in Transition"Where: 041 Haldeman CenterWe might say Hanover winters feel like the Arctic, but besides those modifiers, how much to we really know about the region? Pop the Hanover bubble and come hear Dickey Center Visiting Fellow, Dr. Amy Lovecraft, discuss the Arctic in the context of environmental studies. A HOT topic for research in the arctic area is the effect of the ever-present policy and power struggles. Dr. Lovecraft will outline multiple problems policy makers face in dealing with her native region, and suggest how our generation can better address them.
