By Megan Z. Shearin | February 8, 2010
Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Va. – The Office of Academic Affairs at Virginia Wesleyan College presents the 2010 Spring Faculty Forum, a three-part series highlighting the scholarly achievements of the College’s faculty, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 9, Tuesday, March 23 and Tuesday, April 13, in Clarke Hall, room 118.
This year’s Faculty Forum showcases the academic areas of theatre, sociology and mathematics. All events are free and open to the public; no reservations required.“The faculty forum is a unique way for faculty members to share some of the interesting things they do that don’t necessarily happen in the classroom.” Dr. Richard Bond, coordinator and assistant professor of history
Tuesday, Feb. 9
Dr. Sally Shedd, professor of theatre
“Theatre Lives: Balancing History and Practice in the Introductory Theatre Classroom"
Shedd will talk about the teaching philosophy behind her new book, Theatre Lives: Balancing History and Practice in the Introductory Theatre Classroom,” which seeks to bridge the divide between history and practice in the Introduction to Theatre classroom. The book is an examination and celebration of the work of theatre artists past and present – their creative process, their training, their unique perspectives on plays and their influence on the audience's experience in the theatre.
Tuesday, March 23
Dr. Kathy Stolley, Batten Associate Professor of Sociology
"Changing Attitudes Toward the Homeless"
Stolley will share pre-and post-experience data from the Virginia Wesleyan Winter Homeless Shelter, and examine whether any short-term changes in attitudes toward the homeless are evident for shelter volunteers. Findings from quantitative and qualitative data, as well as future directions for assessment, will be part of the discussion.
Tuesday, April 13
Dr. Lydia Kennedy, assistant professor of math
"A Brief Introduction to Straight Lines, Curvature and Einstein Metrics"
What is a straight line? How do we measure distance? And what does "curvature" mean if the "world" is not Euclidean? After briefly answering these questions, Kennedy will explain how to use these ideas to find a solution to Einstein's theory of relativity in one particular case.
Created in 2007 by Assistant Professor of History Dr. Richard Bond, the Faculty Forum serves as a vehicle to highlight the tremendous accomplishments of Virginia Wesleyan's talented group of faculty members. Three times a year, speakers from throughout all three academic divisions of the College are invited to make a presentation about their research, sabbatical projects, artistic endeavors or other projects that are deserving of public consumption. The Forum provides speakers with an audience drawn from throughout the Virginia Wesleyan community and surrounding area, as well as the general public.
For more information, contact Dr. Richard Bond at 757.455.3355 or rbond@vwu.edu.
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