Media, Politics & Democracy
February 6 - March 5, 2012

These lectures will examine the media environment and its role in, and effect on, the modern political process, addressing such issues as managed news, spin and journalistic punditry in light of popular perceptions of bias in the array of media available to Americans today.

These sessions will meet five times on Monday evenings: Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27, March 5, Providence Hall Room 162, 6-9 p.m. LEARN MORE

• February 6
  • Hunter Baker, Associate Professor of Political Science and Senior Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences at Union
    "Falling Apart: Observations on the Current State of Media, Culture, and Politics"
  • Micah Watson, Assistant Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for Politics and Religion at Union
    "Ezekiel Bulver and Modern Media & Politics"
• February 13
  • Hal Poe, Charles Colson Professor of Faith & Culture at Union
    "Confessions of a Politician in Remission"
  • Greg Thornbury, Dean of the School of Theology & Missions at Union
    "How I feel since Clark Kent and Peter Parker lost their jobs"
  • Gene Fant, Vice President for Academic Administration at Union
    "Citizen Journalism: A Historic Tradition Meets Modern Technology"
• February 20
  • Todd Starnes, Host of FOX News & Commentary, FOX News Network
    "Campaign 2012 — Boots on the Ground"
  • Tom Bohs, Editorial Page Editor, The Jackson (Tenn.) Sun
    "We live in a Photoshopped world"
  • Sean Evans, Chair and Associate Professor of Political Science at Union
    "All the News That's Fit to Read and Watch: How to be an Active, Informed Consumer of News"
• February 27
  • Garrett Hubbard, Visual Journalist, USA Today
  • Aaron Hardin, Photojournalist, The Jackson (Tenn.) Sun
• March 5
  • Tom Cooper, author of "Fast Media/Media Fast" and
    Professor of Visual and Media Arts at Emerson College, Boston, Mass.
    "Fast Media/Media Fast: Are the Media Democratic?"
  • Steve Coffman, Executive Editor, The Jackson (Tenn.) Sun
    "The Local View: 800 Miles and a World Away From the Beltway"

Culture & Crisis
Oct. 18 - Nov. 15, 2011

We are confronted daily by an overwhelming number of natural disasters, political unrest, and economic crises in every corner of the world. Our speakers will help us think about our responses to human needs in a culturally complex world. The work of the faith-based communities and humanitarian organizations that they represent is the starting point for our discussions of ethical, theological and intellectual frameworks that can guide us in making decisions about how we respond individually and corporately to those in need.

Meetings will be held in Providence Hall 162 on Tuesdays at 6:30pm - learn more.

• Oct 18
• Patrick Melancon, Managing Director of Disaster Response and Training for Baptist Global Response
  "Making a World of Difference in a World of Indifference"
• Melody Harper, Campus Strategist for the International Mission Board
  "One Life Can Make A Difference"
• Oct 25
• Andrea McDaniel, President of McDaniel Global Strategies, Co-founder of the As We Forgive - Rwanda Initiative
  "Global Vision: Exploring Avenues for International Work and Missions"
• Nov 1
• Ann Livingstone, Ph.D. Vice President of Research and Education, Pearson Peacekeeping Centre
  "Helping Hands and Loaded Arms: The Interface Between Humanitarian Organizations and the Military in Contemporary Conflict Environments"
• Nov 8
• Jennifer Escue, Catholic Charities and Louisa Saratora, Tennessee Office of Refugees
  "Beyond Good Intentions: When Culture, Crisis, and Social Services Intersect"
• Nov 15
• Donald Jordan, West Tennessee Healthcare and Area Relief Ministries
  "The Congregation as Expert: A New Way Forward"