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Spring 2005 Humanities Symposium

E Pluribus Unum or the Two Americas?

Although the close of the Cold War ended a generation-old bipolar world, there has been much written and said in recent years about a growing bipolar nation in America. Whether it is electoral politics, foreign policy, economic trends, digital and technological developments, the “culture wars,” racial, ethnic, gender, and religious tensions, or education, public discourse is said to have become increasingly based on binary thinking that leaves little room for negotiation, compromise, collaboration, or collective benefit.

The 2005 Spring Humanities Symposium provides an opportunity to explore these declared trends. To what extent is the Two Americas thesis accurate? Where are we seeing such troubling trends? Where alternatively is there evidence of unity, consensus, integration, and the blurring of sharp dividing lines? In essence, where are the many becoming one, and where are the many becoming two? Finally, what are the promises and pitfalls of viewing the world in terms of unitary, binary, or fragmentary perspectives?

These are the critical questions we invite the community at Messiah College to explore during the Spring 2005 Humanities Symposium.
 

Schedule

Monday, February 21

  
3:45-4:30 p.m.

OPENING RECEPTION (Howe Atrium, Boyer Hall)

Welcome and Opening Remarks, Joseph P. Huffman, Dean of Humanities
(4:20)
4:30-6:00 p.m. E Pluribus Unum? A Roundtable on Samuel Huntington’s Who Are We? The Challenges to America’s National Identity (2004). Dr. Dean Curry & Politics Majors
The Two Americas? A Roundtable on Morris Fiorina’s Culture War? The Myth of a Polarized America (2004). Dr. Robin Lauermann & Dr. Kenneth Eshleman
6:30-8:00 p.m.

FACULTY LECTURE (Boyer Hall 131)

The Health Care Divide, Dr. Timothy Schoettle; respondent, Dr. Caleb Miller
8:30 p.m.

FILM SERIES: A LAND FOR ALL

My American Girls (2002) with a discussion following the screening led by Prof. Gilberto Lozano and Dr. Bernardo Michael

Tuesday, February 22

  
4:00-5:30 p.m.

SENIOR HONORS THESES

How Does Puerto Rico “fit” in E Pluribus Unum? Jessica Rivera (Spanish Major)
The Rhetoric of Political Polarization, Brianne McKenna (Communication Major)
Boyer Hall 131
7:00-8:30 p.m.

STUDENT COLLOQUIUM

Moderation vs. Polarization in Contemporary America, College Democrats & College Republicans
Boyer Hall 131

Wednesday, February 23

  
4:00-5:30 p.m.

STUDENT COLLOQUIUM

The Underbelly of E Pluribus Unum: The Migrant Workers Who Carry the United States
Dr. Linda Parkyn & Spanish Majors
Boyer Hall 131
7:00-8:30 p.m.

FACULTY LECTURE (Boyer Hall 131)

Pluralism and Nationalism in the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. James LaGrand; respondent, Dr. John Fea
8:30 p.m.

FILM SERIES: A LAND FOR ALL

Who Killed Vincent Chin? (1988) with a discussion following the screening led by Dr. Linda Parkyn

Thursday, February 24

  
9:45-10:30 a.m.

ALTERNATE CHAPEL

Beyond Just War and Pacificism: E Pluribus Unum or the Two Americas?
Department of Biblical & Religious Studies
Boyer Hall 131
4:00-5:30 p.m.

GUEST LECTURE

From E Pluribus to Unum: Latino Inclusion in American Cultural Identity
Johnny Irizarry, Executive Director of the Lighthouse Family School in Philadelphia
Sponsored by La Alianza Latina, the Office of Multicultural Programs, and the Center for Public Humanities
Boyer Hall 131
8:00-9:30 p.m.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

"E Pluribus Unum or the Two Americas? An Historical Perspective"
David McCullough, Pulitzer-Prize winning American historian
General Admission tickets $10; complimentary tickets for students, faculty, and staff.
Contact the Messiah College Ticket Office at (717) 691-6036.
Brubaker Auditorium

Friday, February 25

  
4:00-5:30 p.m.

PLENARY SESSION

Talk-Back Session on the Keynote Address and the Symposium Theme
Panelists: Dr. Susanna Caroselli, Dr. John Fea, Dr. John Harles, Prof. Kate Quimby
Boyer Hall 131
(Refreshments Provided)

Monday, February 28

  
7:30 p.m.

FILM SERIES: A LAND FOR ALL

Thelma & Louise (1991) with a discussion following the screening led by Dr. Crystal Downing