Deadline for the common
reading assignment.
4:00 - 5:30 p.m. FYM Faculty
Lectures
There will be a variety of lectures
throughout campus. Choose one lecture and be prepared to talk about it
at a discussion in the residence halls later in the evening.
The Water Crisis in the American West
Presented by Professor Peter Patton
The southwestern United States has been in a
prolonged drought since the late 1990’s. Water flows in some rivers in
the American west have been at levels that are 25% of average and large
storage reservoirs such as Lake Mead and Lake Powell are at about
one-half their total capacity. The allocation of water use in the west
has always been controversial. This is becoming more apparent as urban
population centers expand, for example Las Vegas, and urban water demand
begins to compete with long-term agricultural use of water. Ecological
systems are strained by the lack of in-stream flows. Mega forest fires
may be exacerbated by the earlier than average melt-out of snow pack in
the mountains and reduced soil moisture. Agricultural communities, such
as those in the San Joaquin valley are distressed economically for the
lack of irrigation water. In this talk we will focus on a few key
examples and discuss possible responses to this long-term problem.
Oceans, Boats, and Human History
Presented by Professor W. Pinch
From the earliest
times, human culture has been shaped by the presence of water. As both
bridges and barriers, rivers and oceans have provided access to new
areas, protected groups from outside influences, and connected cultures
through trade and exploration.
From 50,000 bp and the
crossing of the Timor Strait to Australia to present day supertankers
delivering goods all over the globe, large bodies of water have
structured the unfolding of human history. This seminar will explore
the major phases of this history and the ways in which human ingenuity
has worked within and occasionally broken out of the structural
constraints posed by large bodies of water, creating new patterns and
possibilities.
Water, water everywhere, nor not a drop to
drink
Presented by Professors Krishna Winston and
Brian Stewart
A scientist, Professor Brian Stewart
(physics) and a humanist, Professor Krishna Winston (German Studies),
will conduct a dialogue with each other and the audience about rising
oceans, spreading deserts, groundwater depletion, contamination of water
sources, and the prospects for human and animal life on earth. They will
suggest how the tools and discourses of their disciplines can be used to
frame and analyze the problems confronting us and to suggest actions
needed to avert catastrophe.
On the Waterfront
Presented by Professor Richard Adelstein
Through this seminar, Professor Adelstein will
explore the relationship between people, objects and other people. He
will also discuss some of the consequences of the concepts of property
and ownership in the case of objects such as land, air and water. From
the point of view of economists and lawyers, Professor Adelstein will
delve into how these concepts are thought about and put into practice
and the impact of property ownership on the use and preservation of
natural surroundings.
7:00 - 8:30 p.m. FYM Common
Reading discussions
Faculty will lead discussions in
residence halls on the common reading assignments and faculty lectures.
This is a great opportunity for students to share their ideas on the
summer curriculum, meet faculty and other community members in a relaxed
setting.
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