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USI to re-launch Interdisciplinary Colloquium with "Doors"

September 22, 2016

The re-launch of the University of Southern Indiana's College of Liberal Arts Interdisciplinary Colloquium invites a board appraisal of the multifaceted dimensions of the door metaphor. As the poet Marge Piercy observed, "Maybe there is more of the magical/in the idea of a door than in a door/itself." The day-long, multi-session event will take place Friday, October 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Carter Hall in University Center West. This event is free and open to the public.

The Doors Colloquium introduces a new feature to the annual event, a round table discussion featuring faculty from various disciplines-Dr. Molly Brost, contract assistant professor of English, Dr. Betty Hart, professor of English, Dr. Mari K. Hopper, adjunct professor of biology and Dr. Rick Hudson, associate professor of mathematics -and moderated by Dr. James Beeby, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and professor of history.  The round table, "Doors into Disciplines," will take place at 12 p.m. in University Center room 226-227, with refreshments served. 

The College of Liberal Arts' annual Interdisciplinary Colloquium showcases USI faculty research across a wide range of academic disciplines centered on a single topic. This year, for the 10th iteration, the focus is the study of doors. Doors do more than just open and close, "open doors can be promising in offering access to spaces known and unknown, while closed doors may produce feelings of frustration, security, conclusion and even peace," explains Dr. David Hitchcock, colloquium coordinator and director, Center for Interdisciplinary Studies.

Members of the USI community will examine doors of all forms, their function and their impact through interdisciplinary approaches. The colloquium will include 10 faculty members, from a variety of disciplines, examining how doors can be emblematic of barriers and opportunities of social oppression and forward movement, of bright beginnings and obscure conclusions.

Presentations include:

Dr. Bartell Berg, Assistant Professor of German, "A Community at the Precipice: Thresholds to Forgiveness and Emancipation in Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach's Das Gemeindekind"

Dr. C. Elizabeth Bonham, Associate Professor of Nursing, "The Clang of the Steel Door"

Dr. Trent Engbers, Assistant Professor of Political Science and Public Administration, "Opening Doors Through Social Capital"

Dr. Chad Gonnerman, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, "On Not Opening Some Doors in Philosophy"

Dr. Sukanya Gupta, Assistant Professor of English, "Imperial Doors: Crossing the 'Kalapani' as a Coolie Woman"

Dr. Mark Krahling, Associate Professor of Chemistry, Associate Dean of the Pott College, "Precisely What Life Needs: A Revolving Door for Packaging Energy"

Dr. Erin Reynolds, Assistant Professor of Health Services/Administration, "Social Networks as Doors to Health Care"

Dr. Daria Sevastianova, Associate Professor of Economics, "The Revolving Door: International Migration and the Rise of Populism"

Dr. Melissa Stacer, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, "New Opportunities or Closing Doors? How Correctional Facility Tours Impact Students' Thoughts about Careers"

Dr. Steven Williams, Associate Professor of Sociology, "Doors of Perception Opened and Closed: LSD, Marijuana, Magic Mushrooms, and the Era of Psychedelic Music"

For more information please contact Dr. David Hitchcock, colloquium coordinator and director, Center for Interdisciplinary Studies at 812-461-5380 or dhitchcoc@usi.edu

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