Provost's Sabbatical Luncheon
Tuesday, November 1
Jeanine Grenberg, Professor of Philosophy
Greg Muth, Associate Professor of Chemistry
On behalf of Marci Sortor, Provost and Dean of the College, CILA announces the Fall 2011 "Provost's Sabbatical Series" Luncheon, next Tuesday in the Sun Room of the Black & Gold Ballroom.
Jeanine Grenberg's primary sabbatical activity was writing a book manuscript about Immanuel Kant's moral philosophy. She argues that Kant's philosophy -- often thought to be very tech-y, expert, and difficult to understand -- is in fact a successful effort to articulate philosophically what each of us can find in our own moral experiences, and especially in our experience of conscience. She will also talk about how she planned for her sabbatical, her experience of applying for (and not getting...) external funding, and how she envisions that her writing will affect her teaching in the future.
Greg Muth will give a brief view into three of the projects he worked on during his sabbatical year: "Green and Growing" summarizes his exploration, with EPA-Gro fellow Ben Auch ('12), into the growth and analysis of green algae for the purpose of alternative sources of oil to be used in liquid transportation fuels. "Inventions and Outreach" - Alternative energy turned out to be an excellent avenue to get elementary school students excited about science. The sabbatical provided time and two grants to invent hands-on modules to demonstrate solar, wind and bicycle power for a new generation of scientists. "The Global Perspective" - During the second six months of the leave, Greg and his family lived in a small city in central Costa Rica, where they studied, made friends and embraced the cultural similarities and differences between the fast-paced US lifestyle and the “pura vida” lifestyle of Central America. Greg will share some of the projects and perspective from this adventure.
