(Ashland, Ore.) – Southern Oregon University continues discussing this year’s campus theme “Civility” with a fascinating series of spring term presentations. The feature presentation is May 17 when Dr. Andrew Bacevich, Professor of International Relations and History at Boston University will discuss “The Sources of American Conduct.” Dr. Bacevich is a retired career officer in the United State Army, a vocal critic of the U.S. occupation of Iraq, and is the author of “The Limits of Power: The End of American Exceptionalism.”

All presentations are free and open to the public.

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(Ashland, Ore.) – Is “agreeing to disagree” a sufficient goal for citizens in an increasingly pluralistic society? Can individuals or groups who disagree passionately about certain issues reach a point where they can listen to and learn from one another? These and other questions will be the subject of an interactive presentation by SOU professors John King and Margaret Perrow Thursday, November 3, at 7 p.m. in the Meese Room of the Hannon Library on the SOU campus. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Dr. Margaret Perrow, assistant professor of English education.

Drs. King and Perrow will draw upon research from Northern Ireland and South Africa, areas recovering from years of conflict and opposition over racial or religious differences. The presentation will examine educational efforts to help students listen to and learn from those whom they have been conditioned to distrust, demean, or even dehumanize. By drawing on the experiences from these areas of intense conflict and disagreement, professors King and Perrow explore implications for our own daily interactions. Read more