An Evening of Great Conversations
In this fast-paced world we communicate by email, instant text messaging, and quick telephone conversations. We learn about new ideas through web sites, easy-to-read publications, and lectures dominated by PowerPoint. We have more access to information and less time to process it than ever before.
Unfortunately, “modern” methods of communication and learning often leave out a technique that historically has led to path-breaking discoveries, new innovations, greater civility, more understanding among disparate groups, and a better quality of life. The technique: long conversations with a relatively small group of people in a relaxed and comfortable environment. No gimmicks, no lectures – just great ideas shared during an evening of conversation on a variety of interesting, timely, and critical topics.
On Tuesday, October 26th, starting at 6 p.m., the USC Upstate College of Arts and Sciences will feature its seventh edition of, “An Evening of Great Conversations.” On that night, over an elegant dinner at the Piedmont Club in downtown Spartanburg, the College will host fourteen conversations on a variety of important topics (please see the topic list below). Each dinner table will engage in a different conversation, facilitated by a faculty expert on the topic. You have the opportunity to join one of these lively conversations for the evening. Although the method may be “traditional” or even “old-fashioned,” the topics are fascinating and cutting edge! We are delighted and grateful that this year’s event is sponsored by Edwin C. Haskell, III and William McBee Smith with Smith & Haskell Law Firm, LLP, Jim Joyner with Integra Benefits Consulting, LLC, and Wachovia Bank.
If you enjoy talking ideas with colleagues and friends (old and new) in an extremely inviting environment, then please select your Great Conversation from the list below for October 26th. One word of caution, though: please sign up early for this special event. Our previous five Great Conversations dinners sold out in advance, and a number of people were disappointed that they could not be included. One thing is for certain: on Wednesday, October 27th, people throughout the Upstate are going to discuss the conversations from the previous evening. Please don’t be left out. Sign up for the conversation of your choice today.
An Evening of Great Conversations
Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at The Piedmont Club
361 E. Main Street, Spartanburg, SC
Reception: 6:00 p.m.
Dinner: 6:45 p.m.
Reservations for this event are $70 per person. Please reserve your place no later than Friday, October 15th:
- Call 864-503-5700 (College of Arts and Sciences) with your Visa or Mastercard info
- Fax the registration form to 864-503-5709 with your Visa or Mastercard info, or
- Mail your check and reservation
form to:
Shawn Masto
College of Arts and Sciences
University of South Carolina Upstate
800 University Way
Spartanburg, SC 29303
Email: smasto@uscupstate.eduGreat Conversation registration Checks should be made out to the USC Upstate Foundation (ref: “Great Conversations”) and should be received in our office by October 15th. | Our Sponsors 
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The Conversations
1. Let’s Talk Movies: Entertainment, History, Art, or Multi-Billion Dollar Industry?
There is nothing quite like the movies. We watch them to see what we have never seen before: spaceships traveling at light speed, gladiators fighting to the death in the Coliseum. We also watch movies to see everyday actions: a conversation between friends, a first kiss. What we like (or don’t like) about movies speaks volumes about ourselves and how we fit into our cultures and communities. Table participants will discuss the connection among film, culture, and community in the United States. Please be prepared to discuss your favorite and least favorite movies; you may be surprised about why you like (and don’t like) them!
Your film guide for the evening will be Dr. Peter Caster, Assistant Professor of English and Film Studies. Dr. Caster is a prolific author and well-known film critic in the Upstate. If you want to talk movies with someone who is as passionate about the topic as you, then don’t miss this opportunity to dialogue with Dr. Caster.
2. Is 60 REALLY the New 40? Maybe!
Have you recently met someone and thought . . .
- “Wow, she looks and acts fifteen years younger! What is her secret?”
- “He just seems so old for his age. He could easily pass for someone fifteen years older.”
So, can you turn back the clock? Slow it down? Turn it off? What, in fact, does the research say about aging? This conversation will discuss what it means to age optimally, and present findings from psychological research that can help us feel younger and live longer. It will also discuss what we know about the role of genes, lifestyle, and environment in the aging process. Whether you are in your 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, or older, you will enjoy this lively discussion of aging in the 21st Century. While no one can completely stop the clock, it is certainly possible to avoid many of the negative consequences associated with aging. Join the conversation and learn some of the secrets!
Your table hosts will be Dr. Jennifer Parker, Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Associate Professor of Psychology, and Dr. Stefanie Keen, Assistant Professor of Psychology. Drs. Parker and Keen conduct research and teach a wide variety of courses related to human development from birth to old age.
3. Islam in the Modern World: Separating Fact from Fiction
Even though Islam is the second largest religion in the world, it is still little understood in the United States. And even though Islam and Muslims figure prominently in American politics and foreign policy, there are still basic questions that Americans continue to ask. Is Islam a violent religion that spreads terrorism and hatred? Is it a peaceful religion that encourages tolerance and humility? Or is it something else? And what is the difference between Shiite and Sunni Muslims? These questions and more will be asked and discussed during the evening. Instead of the emotionalism that frequently accompanies discussions of Islam in America, this conversation will focus on fact and fiction. You will leave with a better understanding of Islam in the U.S. and other countries.
Your table host will be Dr. David Damrel, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies. He joined the USC Upstate faculty three years ago and spent last year developing a comparative religion program in Indonesia with the support of a very prestigious Fulbright Fellowship. During the evening, Dr. Damrel will give a short primer on Islam (Islam 101: What You Need to Know about Islam and Muslims), and then you will discuss the facts and fiction associated with this religion.
4. Who will Survive (and Thrive) in the 21st Century Workplace: Innovators!
Few days pass without yet another announcement about additional corporate lay-offs. We begin to wonder: Is anyone’s job really safe? It is hard to say who will survive and even thrive, but one thing is for sure: there is still great demand for true innovators. In fact, the world of ideas may well dictate the world’s future. And information technology is making it increasingly possible for individual workers to lead the idea revolution – to be innovators! In just the last 20 or 30 years, computers, software, and electronic communication have enabled more and more people to generate ideas and services that are considered valuable and even indispensable. Ideas are no longer the province of “big companies,” and, in fact, big companies often look to individual workers and citizens for innovative ways of doing things. (Billionaire Michael Dell started building and servicing computers in his dorm room at age 19.) This table conversation will take you inside the world of innovation and ask the following question: Are “innovation workers” going to lead the next great revolution? And, if so, how do I join them?!
A table on innovation requires an innovation specialist, and we have the perfect person for you. Dr. Ron Fulbright, Chairperson of the Department of Informatics, is a true innovator and inventor. In 2007 and 2008, he won First Prize in the New Ideas for a New Carolina contest – an extraordinary accomplishment (both times). He has also won numerous other awards and prizes for technological innovation. Dr. Fulbright will insure that the conversation is lively and, well, innovative too.
5. Flashpoint: The Enduring Significance of the Middle East to the U.S. and World
Quiz time: Where do Europe, Asia, and Africa come together? Where do Islam, Christianity, and Judaism converge? Where do cultures clash and coexist? Where do outsiders help and hinder? Where do hopes live and die? The answer: The Middle East, of course. This incredible region continues to fascinate and confound us. And one thing is for certain: what happens in the region does not stay in the region! In fact, events in the Middle East have a profound impact on the U.S. and world. This table conversation will look at the challenges and opportunities in the Middle East, and consider how they affect the U.S. and other countries. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to learn more about a region that defies easy explanation.
Your table host will be Dr. Lizabeth Zack, Assistant Professor of Sociology. Dr. Zack is uniquely qualified to lead this outstanding conversation. Two years ago she was awarded a very prestigious Fulbright Award and spent a year in Jordan, where she taught university classes and conducted research. During her career, she has also traveled throughout the Middle East and in North Africa as well.
6. Do First Impressions Matter?
Dinner parties are really the ideal setting in which to discuss the accuracy of our first impressions of others. The way we interpret social information on the fly can determine important outcomes in our life, such as whom we marry, whom we hire, or whom we avoid on the street. Table participants will discuss the origins of first impressions of others’ personalities. What do we look for? What do we care about? Are we any good at this? Why or why not? Participants should be prepared to discuss personal successes and failures in evaluating people as a springboard for this discussion.
Your table host will be Dr. Andrew Beer, Assistant Professor of Psychology. Dr. Beer has written extensively in the area of personality and first impressions, and his Personality courses are very popular among Upstate students.
7. Does Anyone Read Books Anymore?: Language and Literature in a Digital Age
Think for a moment about the incredible changes that have occurred in the world of language, literature, and publishing in just two decades. How have the Internet and other forms of digital media affected literature? How has Amazon.com changed the world of publishing? What happens to literature when mouse and screen compete with pen and page? In the age of YouTube and iTunes, does anyone just read a book anymore? This table conversation will seek answers to these and other questions. At the same time, it will examine the growing field of “electronic literature,” that is, poems whose words refuse to stand still; stories with plots that follow a different path with every reading; and games with characters as complex as any dreamed up by Shakespeare. Whether you are an expert in language and technology or just want to begin to learn about the relationship, this conversation is for you.
Your table host will be Dr. George Williams, Assistant Professor of British Literature. Dr. Williams’ research and teaching present a fascinating (and fun) contradiction: he uses the most modern technology to teach his students about 18th Century British Literature. Visualize famous literary giants from the 1700s on YouTube! No wonder Dr. Williams is such a popular instructor and author. This will be an enjoyable table for sure.
8. Mentoring: Building a Bright Future
In the words of Helen Keller, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” When we share our time, interests and talents, we can make a true difference in the lives of others. One powerful tool for sharing ourselves with others is mentoring! Mentors provide support, encouragement, and a positive example that assists in the development of competence of the protégé. Structured mentoring programs and informal mentoring relationships can assist individuals of all ages and abilities succeed in life. These programs can be developed by agencies, community-based programs, workplaces, and schools.
Come join this conversation with Dr. Tina Herzberg to discuss common threads of successful programs and brainstorm opportunities to create and/or expand local mentoring programs for children, youth, and families in need here in the Upstate. Dr. Herzberg is Director of the Visual Impairment Program and Assistant Professor in the School of Education. She is the faculty advisor for the School of Education’s Peer Mentoring Program and coordinates a personnel preparation grant that has built a statewide mentoring program for teachers serving students with visual impairments.
9. Robotics and Computer Simulators that Help Keep Soldiers Safe
Training our soldiers for battle is a very expensive process. Flying an Apache helicopter costs over $3,000 per hour, a F-16 fighter jet over $5,000 per hour. Each time a shoulder-mounted stinger missile is fired, it costs the U.S. military over $25,000, resulting in soldiers being deployed to the battle field armed with a weapon that they have only fired a handful of times if at all. Military computer simulation systems supplement the training process by immersing trainees into a computer-generated environment that very closely resembles the conditions that they are likely to face during war time. Cost is dramatically reduced, but casualties are also reduced since a soldier can safely train with a simulator before operating the actual, dangerous machine. Military robotics is another technological area that is used on and off the battle field to keep military personnel out of harm’s way. These machines are typically used for material handling and reconnaissance, but also as assault weapons. The discussion will include current robotics and simulation systems that are in use or being developed, and also introduce some of the traditional problems in the areas of computer simulation, robotics, and artificial intelligence.
Dr. Sebastian van Delden, Associate Professor in Computer Science, will be your table host for the evening. Dr. van Delden is the director of the USC Upstate robotics lab which houses ten robotic arms. He has numerous published articles in robotics, artificial intelligence and natural language processing. He has established several robotics connections throughout the Upstate which has led to approximately $200,000 of regional support to USC Upstate in the form of equipment donations, funded research, sponsorships, and student research opportunities.
10. “Beyond” Greening Business
Social problems, according to management legend, Peter Drucker, are opportunities for firms to have positive impacts upon society. He stated that “None of our institutions exist by itself and is an end in itself. Everyone is an organ of society and exists for the sake of society. Business is no exception. Free enterprise cannot be justified as being good for business; it can be justified only as being good for society” (Drucker, 2003).
Legendary environmentalist Rachel Carson (Carson, 1962) stated, “the balance …is a complex, precise and highly integrated system of relationships between living things, which cannot be safely ignored any more than the law of gravity can be defied with impunity by a man perched on the edge of a cliff”. Of course, Carson’s statement referred to the natural world, not the business world of Drucker.
Perhaps, never in the history of the human race has there been a greater opportunity for the business and scientific communities to work together for the common good. Alternative methods of generating energy and recycling are just two examples of how these communities have joined forces to address “green” issues.
However, this effort is insufficient. A three-pronged approach that considers the natural environment, the financial goals necessary for businesses to survive and prosper, and social science issues related to human resource management and society as a whole must emerge. This three-pronged approach--natural environment, financial and other free enterprise drivers, and social responsibility--is increasingly referred to as “sustainability.” Following a “sustainability” differentiation strategy is necessary and exciting for twenty-first century businesses and many local firms are actively engaged in sustainability efforts.
Lilly M. Lancaster, Ph.D. is the Moore Palmetto Professor in Quality Studies in the Johnson College of Business and Economics. She has a degree in management science and operations research and has been a member of the Upstate faculty since 1987. She is engaged, along with her students, in an ongoing study of sustainability and sustainability business initiatives in the Upstate.
11. Experiencing Different Cultures
Have you ever traveled or lived overseas? Are you interested in exploring different cultures first-hand? In an increasingly global environment, it is advisable to learn from each other and make cultural exchange a part of every person’s life. What do you think? We want to hear your stories. Join our table for a lively discussion on where you have been and what you have experienced.
Your table host will be Dean Dirk Schlingmann, who grew up in Germany and has lived for over twenty years in the United States. He has traveled extensively and enjoys meeting people from all over the world.
12. Getting Elected and Keeping Campaign Promises: Election 2010
Just a week before the midterm elections, this is a great time to consider how our government officials are chosen and what they are really capable of accomplishing once elected to office. Why are some candidates favored more than others? Is it really all about how much money a candidate raises? How much influence do they really have once elected? Is it possible for candidates to keep their campaign promises? These questions and others will be answered by looking at current examples of candidates running for both U.S. Congress and state offices in South Carolina. If you like politics then this non-partisan discussion is sure to be informative and animated.
Your political analyst for the evening will be Dr. Allison Clark Pingley, Assistant Professor of political science. Dr. Pingley specializes in campaigns and elections and often serves as a political commentator for local media.
13. Snapshot Communities: Sharing Photographs
If you think of your most treasured snapshot photographs, which images immediately come to mind? Have you ever considered why those images are so important to you? This conversation is really a “show and tell.” Participants are asked to bring snapshots that are significant to them. These may be loose, or in albums, recent or historical, personal or found.
Dr. Rachel Snow, the table hostess, will bring a few of her own family photos and several historical examples of the genre from her international collection, which spans from 1880-today. Using actual examples, Dr. Snow will discuss our shifting attitudes towards making, keeping, and viewing snapshot photographs.
14. Eat, Pray, and Love—The Joys of Italy
In her hugely popular book (now a movie with Julia Roberts), Elizabeth Gilbert writes about learning to eat well in Italy, pray well in India, and love well in Bali. Makes for good reading—but in fact, she never had to leave her first destination—because Italy provides all of those things—and more! What is it about Italy? For 2,000 years it has been beset by warfare, murder, bloodshed, corruption, fascism, communism, unionism and of course—the mafia. And yet, since the days of the Ancient Greeks, people have flocked to Italy, falling in love with the scenery, the food, the music, the art, the religion, the automobiles, the language, the clothes, and of course—the people. In fact, the love affair between Italy and its visitors is so passionate (what else?) that there is a famous saying—you go to Italy twice—once to visit and once to live. This table will be devoted anything and everything Italian, but particularly focusing on things that make Italy what it is—its food (EAT) its religion (PRAY) and its LOVE of all things that make life beautiful. Anyone who has been to Italy, is going to Italy, or just wants to go Italy, will love this table!
Your table host will be Dr. Catherine Canino, an Associate Professor at USC Upstate specializing in Renaissance Studies. Dr. Canino is a prolific author and traveler, whose great passion in life is introducing students to European travel—particularly, of course, in Italy.