The Dean of the Faculty announces the Seminar on Reflection in the Liberal Arts. The seminar is part of an initiative stemming from President Hansen's challenge in her inaugural address to foster a culture of reflection at the College to match the culture of engagement.  The Seminar is made possible by a generous gift from Karl Mills '82.

The President and Dean anticipate that the overall initiative will investigate key elements that make a difference in the lives of students and the liberal arts. As the Bates community examines and strengthens campus culture and general education goals in the next years, the faculty and students involved in this seminar can serve as leaders through their engagement with these intellectual issues.

During the sessions, President Hansen, six faculty, and two students will come together to examine the nature of reflection. Three faculty Scholars will provide readings and lead discussions during separate meetings of the seminar. They are as follows

David Kolb, Charles A. Dana Professor of Philosophy, will lead a discussion about classical philosophy and reflective approaches to the liberal arts.

Rebecca Herzig, Assistant Professor of Women's Studies, will direct a conversation on reflection in the electronic age, "When Minds are Wired."

Steven Dillon, Professor of English, will use Derek Jarman's film THE GARDEN to direct the seminar in examining how different films teach people to think.

During a fourth session, at a time and location not yet determined, the seminar will communicate to the rest of the Bates College community some of the ideas germinated during the sessions.

Faculty serving as seminar Associates are Rachel Austin, Associate Professor of Chemistry; Lynne Lewis, Associate Professor of Economics; and Kirk Read, Associate Professor of French.

Student Scholars participating in the Seminar are Katharine Trautz '04 and Christopher Casey '06.