Deliberation and Liberal Learning
In 2010-2011, the Deliberation and Liberal Learning series focused on current social scientific research that is re-imagining what "the West" means. These new investigations may help us to recognize and address the challenges of sustaining western societies that value liberal learning, while both engaging the rest of the world and recognizing significant problems of marginalization and injustice within the western world. Beta of Colorado co-sponsored the workshops, drawing together constituencies from across the College in order
to foster discussion of these challenging topics.
Spring Workshop: How do frames of gender or ideology affect our knowledge of the past? How have gendered perceptions of bodily appearance been used to valorize (Judith, Joan of Arc) and stigmatize (Eve, Marie-Antoinette) powerful women? Our spring event will draw upon history, art history, and feminism to investigate how perceptions informed by bodily and gendered stereotypes may distort our understandings not only of everyday life but also of key events in the history of the West. |
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Nina Rattner Gelbart |
This workshop was co-sponsored by the Beta of Colorado chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, the Crown Faculty Center, the departments of History and Art, and the program in Feminist and Gender Studies.
For more information on the event, or to download the common reading, click HERE.
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Fall Workshop: "The Divergence of Cultures" Our fall event focused on how best to understand the emergence of modernity, particularly in its western forms. Is there one "Western" tradition, coming down from classical and Biblical sources? Or should the modern west be seen as distinct from the worlds of the ancient Mediterranean and medieval Europe? Does it make sense to contrast western and non-western civilizations? Our workshop leader was Jack A. Goldstone, Virginia E. and John T. Hazel, Jr. Professor of Public Policy at George Mason University, who argued that early modern European institutions and practices decentered and disrupted classical western traditions, relying instead on new forms of experimental science and practical engineering. The result, he argued, was "a divergences of cultures" both within Europe (classical / modern) and across the globe (western / non-western). |
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Jack A. Goldstone |
Does this account make persuasive sense of early modern European and American history? Does recognizing a distinctive western path of development mark a return to older, ethnocentric notions of western superiority, or does it open up more realistic ways of understanding of modern history? More particularly for the Colorado College curriculum, what does this analysis say about our general education program, which distinguishes a "west in time" from "diverse cultures and critiques"? The workshop offered opportunities to reflect on these and related questions.
Drawing on his expertise in history, sociology, economics, and political science, Professor Goldstone led a challenging workshop on the theme of "The Divergence of Cultures," Friday, 5 November, 1-3:30 p.m. in the Max Kade Theatre on the third floor of Armstrong Hall.
Beta of Colorado co-sponsored the event with the Crown Faculty Center and the departments of Philosophy and Political Science. Major support for this workshop came from the Venture Grant Fund of the Office of the Dean.