Science and Community
The aim of the Presidential Colloquium, which is moving into its eighth year, is to provide opportunities for Clemson University students and faculty, as well as members of the community to come together to explore important issues. The colloquium comprises various events spread over the academic year, e.g., speakers, theatrical performances, panel discussions, and films. In every case the event is linked to the colloquium theme, which is selected with an eye to its integration “across the curriculum."
This year we will be exploring the ways in which science and community intersect and interact. We’ll consider the history of the relationship between them, shared values, points of tension and prospects for the future.
The events of the colloquium will address questions such as the following
| What sorts of things tend to promote a healthy relationship between science and community? | What is the proper role of science in the development of public policy? |
| What sorts of things tend to undermine the relationship? | Are community interests more often in harmony or tension with the interests of science? |
| If the interests of science and community conflict, how should the conflict be resolved? | Is it only or mostly when new technologies emerge that science and community seem to be at odds? |
FALL 2007 / SPRING 2008 |
FALL 2007
September 20, 2007Thursday, 7:30PM |
Dr. John IkerdProfessor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics;University of Missouri – Columbia |
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"Concerned About the Climate? Focus on the Economy."
As state co-coordinator of extension programs in sustainable agriculture from 1995 to 2000, Ikerd was responsible for developing and implementing professional development programs for extension workers and other educators who worked on programs in sustainable agriculture. Other major research and educational activities included participatory on-farm research and demonstration work and educational programs linking sustainable agriculture to quality of life of farm families and others in rural communities. (more) Sponsored by:CU Environmental Committee’s Focus the Nation Initiative.Co-Sponsored By:The Rutland Institute for Ethics & The Strom Thurmond Institute |
October 10, 2007Wednesday, 12:00PM |
Corey DoctorowJournalist/Blogger/Author |
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"From International Standards to Web Practices, IP Mania Has Undermined the Idea of Real Property, of Freedom, of Creativity"Cory Doctorow is a blogger, journalist and science fiction author who serves as co-editor of the blog Boing Boing. He is in favor of liberalizing copyright laws, is a proponent of the Creative Commons organization and uses some of their licenses for his books. Some common themes of his work include digital rights management, file sharing, Disney, and post-scarcity economics. (more) Sponsored by:Rutland Institute for EthicsClemson Computing and Information Technology (CCIT)The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering |
SPRING 2008
January 28, 2008Monday, 7:00PM |
Andrew LightAssociate Professor of Philosophy & Public AffairsUniversity of Washington-Seattle |
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Technological Culture Wars: The Case of NanotechnologyAndrew Light, Ph.D. (University of California, Riverside, 1996), is Associate Professor of Philosophy and Public Affairs, and Adjunct Professor of Geography and Public Health Genetics, at the University ofWashington, Seattle. He is also a Research Fellow at the Institute for Philosophy & Public Policy at Lancaster University (U.K.), a Faculty Fellow at the Center for Sustainable Development in the School ofArchitecture at the University of Texas at Austin, an Affiliate Faculty member of the Bard Center for Environmental Policy at Bard College, New York, and a Studio Fellow at the Studio for Creative Inquiry in the College of Fine Arts at Carnegie Mellon University. (More) Sponsored by:The Robert J. Rutland Institute for EthicsThe Strom Thurmond Thurmond Institute |
February 13, 2008Wednesday, 7:00PM |
Deepak KumarProfessor, History of Science and EducationZakir Husain Centre for Educational StudiesSchool of Scoial Sciences; Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Deli |
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Science and Society in South Asia: Snippets from the PastDeepak Kumar is an Indian historian of science who is Professor of History of Science and Education, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. He has sought to demonstrate in several of his books that British colonialism in India played a major role in how European scientific fields developed. (More) Sponsored by:The Robert J. Rutland Institute for EthicsThe Strom Thurmond Thurmond InstituteClemson Science and Technology in Scociety Program |
February 18, 2008Monday, 7:30PM |
Sean CarrollUniversity of Wisconsin--Madison |
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The Making of the Fittest: DNA and the Ultimate Forensic Record of EvolutionGeneticist Sean Carroll is the acknowledged leader of the exciting field of evolutionary developmental biology or “Evo-devo”. Evo-devo has revolutionized biology by exploring the shared genes and processes that build organisms as different as fruit flies and people. A leading researcher and member of the National Academy of Sciences, Dr. Carroll welcomes us into the fascinating world of DNA and its role in evolution. Sponsored by:The Robert J. Rutland Institute for EthicsCalhoun Honors College |
March 4, 2008Tuesday, 3:00PM |
William J. KilgallinHead, Investigative Legal and OutreachNational Science Foundation-Office of Inspector General |
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Research Ethics TodayWilliam J. (Bill) Kilgallin has been the Head of Investigative Legal and Outreach for the National Science Foundation’s Office of Inspector General since September 2004. In this position, Bill serves as legal advisor to the Associate Inspector General for Investigations, supervises the Investigative Legal Section, and provides legal advice to the Office of Investigations on issues that arise in the investigation of all civil, criminal, and administrative allegations of wrongdoing (including research misconduct) involving NSF activities. He also oversees OIG outreach efforts, which are designed to develop and improve partnerships with institutions, NSF, and members of the research and education communities. (More) Sponsored by:The Robert J. Rutland Institute for EthicsThe Strom Thurmond Thurmond InstituteCU Graduate Graduate SchoolResearch Division |
These events are upcoming; check back later for more information:
- None at this time
For more information contact:
Daniel E. Wueste, Ph.D.
Director, Robert J. Rutland Institute for Ethics
864-656-6147; Fax: 864-656-2858
Office email: ernest@clemson.edu
www.clemson.edu/ethics
More about the colloquium:
From the beginning, the theme of the colloquium has been a central focus in English Composition classes. However, the link to course work is not confined to English classes. Faculty across campus are encouraged to make the most of it in preparing syllabi for the upcoming academic year. In 2001, for example, the theme was “Science and Values: New Frontiers, Perennial Questions.” The subject of human cloning, which was addressed by one of the major speakers, was explored in many classes in the life sciences, humanities, and social sciences. Students who participated in the First Annual J.T. Barton Jr., Ethics Essay Scholarship Competition also explored it. (The competition is sponsored by the Rutland Institute for Ethics.) Linking the colloquium and the ethics essay competition turned out to be a very good thing. Accordingly, we continue to link them.