Suggestions sought for 2008 Syracuse Symposium events

Suggestions sought for 2008 Syracuse Symposium events January 08, 2008Kelly Homan Rodoskikahoman@syr.edu

On the recommendation of the Syracuse Symposium Committee, which plans the annual intellectual and artistic festival hosted each fall by The College of Arts and Sciences, Dean Cathryn R. Newton has selected “migration” as the Syracuse Symposium theme for fall 2008.

As is tradition, the theme was selected from many excellent ideas suggested by the campus community. “Migration means movement… to warmer climes, safe havens, deeper insights and new perspectives. To ask how birds migrate is to engage the biological and physical sciences fully, and also the mysteries of signal detection and transmission,” says Samuel Gorovitz, founding director of the Renee Crown University Honors Program, professor of philosophy and member of the Syracuse Symposium Committee. “To ask what explains a refugee population calls for inquiry into history, economics, politics, religion and more.”

“Migration — whether of a student changing majors or an early people crossing the Bering Strait — changes what is left behind even as it creates something new,” Gorovitz says. “Ideas, styles, artistic trends and patterns of behavior also migrate. To explore these phenomena is to probe the dynamic of human existence in all its dimensions, through all the many lenses our university offers.”

The Symposium Committee has convened to begin planning events for Syracuse Symposium 2008: “Migration” and welcomes suggestions from the University community. Symposium is more than a lecture series: It includes performances, exhibits, related courses and other forms of investigation and expression. Keynote speakers, performances and exhibitions selected for symposium events must cross disciplinary boundaries and engage as many areas of intellectual and cultural life as possible. Suggestions for ways to explore “migration” should be broad and deep in scope, and have the potential to bring large numbers of students, faculty, staff and community members into serious conversation on the overall theme.

The Symposium website is http://symposium.syr.edu; previous themes include “Poetry,” “Beauty,” “Journeys,” “Humor,” “Imagination” and “Justice.”

Suggestions may be sent to Kandice Salomone, associate dean for administration in The College of Arts and Sciences and chair of the Syracuse Symposium Committee, at Room 329, Hall of Languages or by e-mail to salomone@syr.edu. The committee asks that a short description be included in addition to the names of the speakers, performers and artists. Suggestions should be received by Thursday, Jan. 31.