Fulbright Colloquium to Highlight Research and Resources at the University of Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Faculty from several departments in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and from the department of management in the Sam M. Walton College have come together to organize the first Fulbright Colloquium, a conference dedicated to the interdisciplinary exchange of ideas among professors and students at the University of Arkansas.

The colloquium, which is free and open to the public, will be held Friday, March 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Enterprise Development. Registration begins at 8:45.

“The idea came from the faculty of the department of world languages, literatures and cultures as a way to let the rest of the university know that we, besides teaching languages, cultures and literatures, are very concerned with the state of affairs in contemporary higher education, both in America and abroad,” said Sergio Villalobos-Ruminott, assistant professor in the department.  

Recent discussions about changes to the core curriculum in Fulbright College led faculty to organize an intellectual exchange during which professors and students can discuss topics crucial to the future of their fields as well as to the future of the university.

“This is, of course, the first step, but we expect to foment further interdepartmental dialogues and promote interdisciplinary collegiality. We also want to let graduate and undergraduate students know about the amazing research resources and professors we actually have on campus,” said Villalobos-Ruminott.

Panelists will examine politics and presentation, the meaning of being human, the state of the South, technologies of knowledge, fish ecology and Fulbright pedagogy. Chaim Goodman-Strauss, chair of the math department, will offer the keynote address, “Eratosthenes Today!” at 9 a.m.

The colloquium is being funded by the math department, Fulbright College, the Multicultural Center and the Honors College.