Inaugural 'Life Raft Debate' Pits Arts and Sciences Faculty in 'Apocalyptic' Scenario
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The inaugural University of Arkansas "Life Raft Debate" will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28, in Old Main’s Giffels Auditorium.
The Life Raft Debate will feature nine faculty members, each representing different departments in the Fulbright College. After listening to the faculty arguments, a voting audience of students will choose which discipline is most essential to their lives. Faculty will take questions from the moderator, each other and students.
An apocalyptic scenario will frame the debate, and there will be a few surprises along the way. The faculty contenders are:
- Joel Freund, psychology
- Chaim Goodman-Strauss, mathematics
- Laurence Hare, history
- Mack Ivey, biology
- Brandon Jackson, sociology
- Mohja Kahf, comparative literature
- Leo Mazow, art
Lisa Corrigan, representing the Department of Communication and the Gender Studies Program, will play a special role in the debate as the “Advocate,” challenging her peers’ arguments.
The debate will be moderated by Lissette Lopez Szwydky of the Department of English, who also serves as Faculty in Residence for University Housing.
Students must bring a standard University of Arkansas clicker to vote throughout the debate. Students can begin the conversation now using the hashtag #UALifeRaft14. Reporters from The Arkansas Traveler newspaper will live tweet the debate via that hashtag.
This event is sponsored by University Housing and the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Students, faculty and staff must present valid University ID for entrance. Admission is contingent upon seating availability and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors will open at 6 p.m. For special accommodations due to disability please contact University Housing at housing@uark.edu or call 479-575-3951.
Contacts
Chase Stoudenmire, Coordinator for Residence Education
University Housing
479-718-2376,
cstouden@uark.edu
Headlines
PetSmart CEO J.K. Symancyk to Speak at Walton College Commencement
J.K. Symancyk is an alumnus of the Sam M. Walton College of Business and serves on the Dean’s Executive Advisory Board.
Faulkner Center, Arkansas PBS Partner to Screen Documentary 'Gospel'
The Faulkner Performing Arts Center will host a screening of Gospel, a documentary exploring the origin of Black spirituality through sermon and song, in partnership with Arkansas PBS at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 2.
UAPD Officers Mills and Edwards Honored With New Roles
Veterans of the U of A Police Department, Matt Mills has been promoted to assistant chief, and Crandall Edwards has been promoted to administrative captain.
Community Design Center's Greenway Urbanism Project Wins LIV Hospitality Design Award
"Greenway Urbanism" is one of six urban strategies proposed under the Framework Plan for Cherokee Village, a project that received funding through an Our Town grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Spring Bike Drive Refurbishes Old Bikes for New Students
All donated bikes will be given to Pedal It Forward, a local nonprofit that will refurbish your bike and return it to the U of A campus to be gifted to a student in need. Hundreds of students have already benefited.