By Michelle Hines, University Relations
Contact: (336) 334-5371
Posted 2-12-08
GREENSBORO, NC – How can we communicate to transform? To effect change in our communities? In our world?
“Why Do You Say That!*@?: Challenging Communication to Transform Public Life” is the question posed by this year’s Harriet Elliott Lecture Series.
The two-day event, free and open to the public, runs Wednesday, March 19 - Thursday, March 20. Dr. David Zarefsky, Owen L. Coon Professor of Argumentation and Debate at Northwestern University, will give the keynote address.
UNCG’s communication department organized “Why Do You Say That!*@?” to facilitate understanding between diverse groups of people. The focus is on effective communication to increase understanding.
Zarefsky will speak on “Arguing About Values” from 7-8:30 p.m. March 19 in the Jaylee Mead Auditorium (Room 101), Science Building. His research and teaching are in the areas of rhetorical history and criticism, argumentation and debate, and forensics. Two of his books have won awards for distinguished scholarship in rhetoric: “President Johnson’s War on Poverty: Rhetoric and History” and “Lincoln, Douglas and Slavery: In the Crucible of Public Debate.”
Three additional lectures will take place March 20 in Elliott University Center Auditorium. Speakers are:
• 9:30-10:45 a.m.; Dr. Brenda J. Allen, communication professor, the University of Colorado at Denver; “Communicating Difference Matters.”
• 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.; Dr. Tom Nakayama, professor of communication, Arizona State University; “Public Deliberation on Race and the Challenges to Transforming Public Life.”
• 2-3:15 p.m.; Dr. W. Barnett Pearce, professor, School of Human and Organization Development, Fielding Graduate University; “Transforming Communication About Values, Identity and Race.”
The Elliott Lectures are held annually in honor of the late Harriet W. Elliott (1884-1947), who served from 1913-47 at the institution that is now UNCG. She was a professor of political science and served as dean of women from 1935 until her death in 1947. Elliott University Center was named in her memory and honor.
For more information, contact Dr. David Carlone at (336) 334-3843 or dacarlon@uncg.edu.
