UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Paterno Fellows Program will host “The Future of Democracy and the Humanities in an Age of Catastrophes” from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1, in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library.
In the return of the Paterno Fellows Contemporary Issues Forum, two leading scholars of rhetoric and democracy will contemplate how the ideas, theories, habits and practices associated with the humanities and with democratic culture can help us tackle the problems we face today.
“It's vital that we as a University community — and as Paterno Fellows — consider the challenges we face in attempting to sustain a democratic culture today,” said Jeremy Engels, Barry Director of the Paterno Fellows Program and professor of communication arts and sciences. “I'm hopeful that these leading scholars can contribute to the important conversation on campus about our obligations as citizens, to each other, and to the world in which we live.”
The panel will feature Ira J. Allen, associate professor of rhetoric at Northern Arizona University, and Nathan Crick, professor of communication at Texas A&M University.
Ira J. Allen is an associate professor of rhetoric, writing, and digital media studies in the Departments of English and Politics and International Affairs at Northern Arizona University. His scholarship and translations explore the usefulness of rhetorical theory for scholars across the humanistic disciplines, as do popular essays in Jewish Journal, CommonDreams, and elsewhere. Allen’s current book manuscripts focus on how constitutions might be written to promote democracy after disaster and on truth and witnessing in an era of staggered collapse.
Nathan Crick is a professor of rhetoric at Texas A&M University where he studies the role of rhetoric in the dynamic relationship between permanence and change. Drawing from knowledge of classical, pragmatic, and continental philosophy, he investigates the rhetorical character of the arts, the sciences, religion, and journalism within specific moments of history characterized by disruptions in the structures of power. Recent work has explored the contemporary relevance of Machiavelli to modern politics and the rhetorical challenges presented by climate change and technology.
“We are also excited that the event will be moderated by two Paterno Fellows: Casey Sennett and Taran Samarth,” Engels said. “It's my goal as director to empower our Paterno Fellows to lead, and this is just one of the many ways we are trying to do that.”
Sennett is quadruple-majoring in anthropology, Jewish studies, history and Middle East studies. She also has double minors in classics and ancient Mediterranean studies and global and international studies and is working on her master of arts degree in anthropology through an integrated undergraduate-graduate degree program. Samarth is quadruple-majoring in sociology, political science, philosophy and mathematics with a minor in statistics.
“Amidst climate catastrophe and war, the rise of authoritarianism and normalization of political violence, even on our own campus, has sent global democracy spiraling," Samarth said. "Ira and Nathan are two of many leading humanists grappling with the question of the coming decade — why is democracy dying, and how can all of us work to rescue it?”
Additional event sponsors include the Center for Democratic Deliberation, the Humanities Institute, the Rock Ethics Institute, and University Libraries.
The Paterno Fellows Program is an innovative program offered jointly by the College of the Liberal Arts and Schreyer Honors College that encourages students to challenge themselves academically and distinguish themselves in areas traditionally associated with the liberal arts: ethics, service, and leadership; excellence in communication; and intercultural awareness. Fellows receive financial support to participate in enriching out-of-classroom experiences like internships, education abroad, and research.