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May
2
The Baloney Detection in the Era of Misinformation 1:15pm
The Baloney Detection in the Era of Misinformation
Thursday, May 2nd, 2024
01:15 PM - 02:45 PM
Vernon Cottage, UConn Depot Campus
Arm yourself to ward off sketchy sales pitches and fake news. Critical thinking and skepticism are under- appreciated skills. 2024 marks the 28th anniversary of Carl Sagan’s Baloney Detection Kit. This talk discusses how to use the kit to analyze news stories, scientific claims, and advertising. Buckle up for an interesting year. Presented by Elizabeth Cowles, Professor and Chair, Biology Dept., ECSU
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May
8
OK Boomer: Misconceptions about Generational Differences 1:15pm
OK Boomer: Misconceptions about Generational Differences
Wednesday, May 8th, 2024
01:15 PM - 02:45 PM
Vernon Cottage, UConn Depot Campus
First there were baby boomers, then Gen X and Millennials and now there is Generation Alpha! This talk discusses some of the research that debunks the mythology behind generational differences, the problems with how generations are defined and labeled, and why “what’s wrong with these kids today” is probably the wrong question. Presented by Peter Bachiochi, Professor of Psychological Science, ECSU
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May
15
The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic 1:15pm
The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic
Wednesday, May 15th, 2024
01:15 PM - 02:45 PM
Vernon Cottage, UConn Depot Campus
The speaker’s new book is a groundbreaking, expansive new account of Reconstruction that fundamentally alters our view of this formative period in American history, 1860- 1920. Presented by Manisha Sinha, Draper Chair in American History, UConn
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May
16
Becoming Evil: How Ordinary People Commit Genocide and Mas Killing 1:15pm
Becoming Evil: How Ordinary People Commit Genocide and Mas Killing
Thursday, May 16th, 2024
01:15 PM - 02:45 PM
Vernon Cottage, UConn Depot Campus
Who are the killers on the frontlines of genocide and how do they come to such extraordinary evil? Based on interviews with over 225 rank- and- file perpetrators, this talk focuses on the ordinary origins of these killers and the processes by which they become capable of such atrocities. Understanding these processes is vial to preventing the future occurrence of genocide. Presented by James Waller, Director, Dodd Human Rights Impact Program, UConn
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May
21
Tales from the Sea: Labor Market Explanations for the Decline of New England Whaling 1:15pm
Tales from the Sea: Labor Market Explanations for the Decline of New England Whaling
Tuesday, May 21st, 2024
01:15 PM - 02:45 PM
Vernon Cottage, UConn Depot Campus
The New England whaling industry dominated global whaling for the first half of the 19th century and then saw sustained decline, coming to an end in the 1920s even as global demand for the products of whaling remained high. This research examines the history of New England whaling and the labor market factors that led to its death. Presented by Niti Pandey, Professional Studies, ECSU
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May
22
Towards Plant- Based Plastics 1:15pm
Towards Plant- Based Plastics
Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024
01:15 PM - 02:45 PM
Vernon Cottage, UConn Depot Campus
This talk, tailored for general audiences, briefly introduces the chemistry behind plastics, discusses approaches for making protein- based plastics, and presents recent research on plant- derived proteins for making plastics. Presented by Chilalla Kumar, Chemistry Dept., UConn
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May
30
An Indigenous Scientist’s Journey to Studying Fish and Gut Microbes 1:15pm
An Indigenous Scientist’s Journey to Studying Fish and Gut Microbes
Thursday, May 30th, 2024
01:15 PM - 02:45 PM
Vernon Cottage, UConn Depot Campus
An Inupiaq microbiologist, evolutionary biologist, and ecotoxicologist shares her journey from a small Alaskan Arctic town to a professorship at UConn. She also discusses how her research interests changed from bacterial toxins to parasites to how microbes in the gut stimulate growth and what happens when those microbes encounter ecotoxicants like crude oil and plastics. Presented by Kat Milligan- McClellan, Professor of Microbiology, UConn
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May
31
The Question of Utopia 10:15am
The Question of Utopia
Friday, May 31st, 2024
10:15 AM
Vernon Cottage, UConn Depot Campus
Throughout the history of human thought artists, philosophers and political theorists have envisioned Utopian societies. The concept of an ideal intentional society that represents the best in human possibility may be an aspirational goal but can also serve as a form of social criticism without having to be achievable reality. A second meaning of utopia is the perfect society that nowhere exists and never could. This course traces the origins of the utopian concept and follows its career in seminal moments of human history, and also considers notion that we may well have reached the end of history. Taught by Jerry Phillips, Dept. of English, UConn
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Jun
7
The Question of Utopia 10:15am
The Question of Utopia
Friday, June 7th, 2024
10:15 AM
Vernon Cottage, UConn Depot Campus
Throughout the history of human thought artists, philosophers and political theorists have envisioned Utopian societies. The concept of an ideal intentional society that represents the best in human possibility may be an aspirational goal but can also serve as a form of social criticism without having to be achievable reality. A second meaning of utopia is the perfect society that nowhere exists and never could. This course traces the origins of the utopian concept and follows its career in seminal moments of human history, and also considers notion that we may well have reached the end of history. Taught by Jerry Phillips, Dept. of English, UConn
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Jun
14
The Question of Utopia 10:15am
The Question of Utopia
Friday, June 14th, 2024
10:15 AM
Vernon Cottage, UConn Depot Campus
Throughout the history of human thought artists, philosophers and political theorists have envisioned Utopian societies. The concept of an ideal intentional society that represents the best in human possibility may be an aspirational goal but can also serve as a form of social criticism without having to be achievable reality. A second meaning of utopia is the perfect society that nowhere exists and never could. This course traces the origins of the utopian concept and follows its career in seminal moments of human history, and also considers notion that we may well have reached the end of history. Taught by Jerry Phillips, Dept. of English, UConn
Spring 2024 Brochure
