2008 Woodie Awards
Seminar integrates disciplines
Rick Kurker '09
Issue date: 3/22/07 Section: News
A new addition to Providence College's academic life has emerged on campus this year: The Interdisciplinary Faculty Seminar (IFS). This committee, comprised of eight faculty members from different fields of study, is currently in the midst of its pilot year this semester.
Each member of the seminar must lead a session by presenting an article or chapter in a book that features an issue of interest in his or her own discipline. This semester, the overall theme is "Being Human," and session topics include "What Does the Human Genome Project (HGP) Tell Us About What It Is to be Human," led by Father Austriaco, and "Race, Ethnicity and Globalization," led by Dr. Valkeakari.
In addition, two open forums will be held. The first forum will be led by a guest lecturer who will discuss his own work related to theme. The other forum, which will take place at the end of the semester, will be an event at which members of the group can share their own research developments as well as teaching and learning experiences.
"We hope that these seminars will communicate to the students that their professors are engaging in active learning," Father Torchia said. "For me thus far, it has been enriching because it allows us to participate in an interchange of ideas."
Father Torchia said the seminars are intended to foster growth out of opposing viewpoints. The format of the seminars is good for sustaining conversation about the issue at hand.
"It is very interesting to discuss issues across interdisciplinary lines," he said.
Possible topics for seminars in future years include memory, time, race and ethnicity, the environment, sacrifice, and knowledge. Although these seminars are not open to students, all are welcome to the open lectures. On Monday, March 23, Dr. Ian Tattersall, a paleoanthropologist from the American Museum of Natural History, will be coming to the College to speak on human origins. A private seminar meeting will be held prior to his public lecture, at 7:30 p.m., where the lecture is open to all members of the College community.
Each member of the seminar must lead a session by presenting an article or chapter in a book that features an issue of interest in his or her own discipline. This semester, the overall theme is "Being Human," and session topics include "What Does the Human Genome Project (HGP) Tell Us About What It Is to be Human," led by Father Austriaco, and "Race, Ethnicity and Globalization," led by Dr. Valkeakari.
In addition, two open forums will be held. The first forum will be led by a guest lecturer who will discuss his own work related to theme. The other forum, which will take place at the end of the semester, will be an event at which members of the group can share their own research developments as well as teaching and learning experiences.
"We hope that these seminars will communicate to the students that their professors are engaging in active learning," Father Torchia said. "For me thus far, it has been enriching because it allows us to participate in an interchange of ideas."
Father Torchia said the seminars are intended to foster growth out of opposing viewpoints. The format of the seminars is good for sustaining conversation about the issue at hand.
"It is very interesting to discuss issues across interdisciplinary lines," he said.
Possible topics for seminars in future years include memory, time, race and ethnicity, the environment, sacrifice, and knowledge. Although these seminars are not open to students, all are welcome to the open lectures. On Monday, March 23, Dr. Ian Tattersall, a paleoanthropologist from the American Museum of Natural History, will be coming to the College to speak on human origins. A private seminar meeting will be held prior to his public lecture, at 7:30 p.m., where the lecture is open to all members of the College community.