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Humanities Kansas Grants Funds for Highland Community College Cultural Series: Inspiring and Promoting Appreciation of the Arts and Humanities

published September 27, 2018

Highland has been awarded a $5000 grant from Humanities Kansas for a series of six interdisciplinary and cultural events focusing on science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). The series is titled, "Social Justice: Using STEAM to Revolutionize the World," and will each event will feature discussions and presentations on how each of the STEAM fields influences areas of culture and social justice.

 

The first event in the series takes place Monday, October 15 at 5:30 pm on the Highland Campus’ Jack D. Nutt Math and Science Building classroom number 1. Dr. James Okapal, a Chairperson and Professor of Philosophy at Missouri Western State University, will give an overview presentation called, "Ethics and Piggies and AI, Oh My."

 

Erin Shaw, Vice President for Academic Affairs, added, “Highland is proud to bring these events to our students and Northeast Kansas in partnership with Humanities Kansas. STEAM topics impact everyone in our community and this series should be an entertaining and educational way to explore ideas in STEAM.”

 

After the presentation, a panel will further discuss issues relating to science and social justice in the region. The panel will include:

 

Dr. Dee Ann DeRoin is a Native American physician who has recently retired from clinical practice at Kickapoo Nation Reservation. DeRoin has continued her work in community health with all four Kansas reservation tribes the Iowa, Kickapoo, Potawatomi, and Sac and Fox.

 

Dr. Bruce Glymour is head of philosophy and a professor at Kansas State University specializing in the philosophy of biology. Specializing in scientific ethics, communication and the role of values in science, Glymore studies how those values relate to the general public.

 

Dr. Evan E. Hart is an assistant professor of history at Missouri Western State University with a background in the history of medicine and the activism of women of color during the women's health movement. She is particularly interested in the activism of African American and Native American women and teaches courses on the history of race and science.

 

Dr. James Okapal is chairperson and professor of philosophy at Missouri Western State University who specializes in interdisciplinary work. Dr. Okapal will open the series with a presentation called “Ethics and Piggies and Al, Oh My!: Social Justice for Non-humans in Science Fiction.”

 

Sara Wilson is an anthropologist and the executive director of Glore Psychiatric Museum located in St. Joseph, Missouri. According to Ms. Wilson, “The history of mental health treatment and incarceration in the United States is a history of marginalized populations. Many Americans admitted to psychiatric institutions were sent because they had limited power over their situation. Whether they were widowed women, ex-slaves, or elderly farmers with dementia, they were often treated against their will. This history raises questions regarding what is normal, abnormal, and how are medical diagnoses of mental illnesses used as vehicles for social control?” In addition to the discussion, Wilson will bring artifacts from the museum for display.

 

Events have been scheduled for throughout the 2018-19 academic year and the public is encouraged to attend these free of charge. Look for more information online at highlandcc.edu

Humanities Kansas

 

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