This season's CultureTalk explores issues of psychology of gender, violence, public support for arts and culture, the politics of education, and the role of the humanities in our lives today. Steven Pinker, a cognitive linguist and evolutionary psychologist (Harvard University), is widely hailed for his contributions to seminal issues such as the biology of the brain, the nature/nurture debate, and the evolution of human behavior. UIUC Chancellor Nancy Cantor, a social psychologist, is among the country's leaders in higher education, particularly in the fields of diversity and multicultural education. Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Jesse Delia's research and graduate teaching focus on issues in human communication theory and on interpersonal communication processes within a life-span developmental framework.The relationship between the arts and contemporary society is constantly evolving, changing to reflect vast societal and political changes. But what effect has the mass media and rapidly changing technology had on these relationships? What about the growing trend to globalization? What is the future of the arts and the very nature of creativity?

To address these concerns, and more, The Center for Advanced Study, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, and the Office of the Dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts are joining together to bring major cultural figures and public intellectuals to campus in a vibrant new forum called CultureTalk. These internationally renowned speakers will join University of Illinois faculty members to embark on a series of wide-ranging public dialogues about cultural production and its place in our society. The Illinois Program for Research in the Humanities is a cosponsor for this season’s CultureTalk.

As with all CAS events, this series is free and open to the public: however, tickets are required to reserve a seat.

Steve Pinker Website