Fall 2001 CAPE Events

The Ethics of Stem Cell Research

Thursday, October 11th, 7:00 PM, PAC 134

Stem cells make possible the growth of specialized cells or tissues, which are likely to prove useful for treating injuries and disease. However, the best source of stem cells is human fetal tissue, which opponents find morally problematic. What is stem cell manipulation? What are the religious, philosophical and ethical issues surrounding stem cell research? And what the legal and commercial ramifications of this new technology? Participants:

Professor Andrew Flescher, Religious Studies (moderator)
Professor Jonathan Day, Biological Sciences
Professor Becky White, Philosophy
Professor Lisa Gannett, Philosophy

Special Series: Darwin at the Millennium (in conjunction with the Anthropology Forum)

I. Darwin Then and Now: Who Was Charles Darwin? The Legacy of an Evolutionary Biologist
Thursday, October 25th, 4:00 PM, Ayers 120

Professor Charles Urbanowicz, Anthropology

II. Evolution in 2001
Thursday, November 8th, 4:00 PM, Ayers 120

Kristina Schierenbeck, Biological Sciences

Stifling Students in the Classroom: Do Professors Impose Their Opinions on Students Too Forcefully?

Thursday, November 1st, 7:00 PM, PAC 134

To what extent do professors shape the intellectual, political and social views of their students? To what extent ought they to do so? And, in any case, can instructors ever bracket their own views and biases in the classroom? Participants:

Professor Doug Campbell, Recreation and Parks Management; US Army (retired), former instructor of Military Science at CSU Chico and director of CSU Chico's ROTC Program
Professor Ron Hirschbein, Philosophy; President of "Concerned Philosophers for Peace"
Professor Carol Burr, English; Director, Center for Multicultural and Gender Studies
Students: Tiffany Brovan, Ben Kovar, Thor Vue, and Megan Wood.

Do High Stakes Exams Make Better Kids?

Wednesday, November 14th, 4:30 PM, Modoc 114

How can Johnny learn to take care of himself and help shape a better world? Should we leave him and his teachers to their own devices? Or should we impose curriculum and "high stakes exams"? Will academic pressure make Johnny diligent, and prevent him from harming himself and others? Can we foster responsibility, without giving up freedom? Professor Mark Keegan, Education, and various educators from Chico and surrounding areas TBA.

The Ethics of Human Cloning

Thursday, November 29th, 7:00 PM PAC 134

What is the science of human cloning and how is it related to or distinct from animal cloning? What are the controversies surrounding human cloning? Do the beliefs and practices of particular religious traditions commit practitioners of those traditions to certain views about the ethics of cloning? Is cloning logically, or only psychologically different from other, new reproductive technologies that generally have been accepted? What are the secular moral objections to human cloning?

Professor Becky White, Philosophy (moderator)
Professor Jeff Bell, Biological Sciences
Professor Joel Zimbelman

Special Series: Restorative Justice & Citizen-Activism (in conjunction with the Chico Peace and Justice Center)

I. Restorative Justice: A Local Practice
Thursday, September 13, 7 P.M. Trinity 100

Jane Dolan, Butte County District 2 supervisor; Andrew Flescher, director, Center for Applied and Professional Ethics, Jessica Rios, Wild Heritage Campaign; Neighbors for Fiscal & Environmental Responsibility (NEFR), members from the successful Measure A Campaign; Ty Benoit, Butte College. Join us for our opening night reception with refreshments and entertainment.

II. Walking the Talk: Citizen-Activism Workshop
Wednesday, September 26, 7 P.M. Trinity 100

Darcia Johnson, director, T.E.A.M. Chapman; Dylan Telleson, artistic director, D. Telleson Arts and The Activist Magazine; Kia McLean, director, Center for Sustainability, and programmer, KZFR. An activist information fair and refreshments.

III. Restorative Justice within the Context of the Criminal Justice System
Wednesday, October 10, 7 P.M. Trinity 100

Andrew Flescher, director, Center for Applied and Professional Ethics; Margaret Gunnell, Director, Mediation Center; Bob Morin, Department of Political Science. Join us for our opening night reception with refreshments and entertainment.

IV. Power Shuffle
Wednesday, October 24, 7:30 P.M. Trinity 100

Beyond Violence Alliance. This workshop is inspired by the Oakland Men's Project. Participants will be guided through a "power shuffle," a dynamic exercise that explores comfort zones, sex/gender roles, race/class bias and prejudice, social stereotypes, and more. Refreshments.

V. Restorative Justice and Globalization
Wednesday, November 14, 7 P.M. Trinity 100

Dominic Allamano, co-founder Heartlight School, Ashland, Oregon, and facilitator, Odyssey Performance Enhancement Network; Rabbi Yitzhak Nates, Congregation Beth Israel, Chico; Charles Turner, Multicultural and Gender Studies. Refreshments.

VI. Walking the Talk: Being the Change You Wish to See in the World
Wednesday, November 28, 7 P.M. Trinity 100

Amaera Bay Laurel-Ceccone, director, Peace and Justice Center, and facilitator, Odyssey Performance Enhancement Network; Dan Nguyen-Tan, Chico City Council member and non-profit consultant; JoAna Brooks, executive director, Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Refreshments and entertainment.