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Culture & Society Program Presentations
The links below will help you to quickly review our four Culture & Society presentation categories. You can access a speaker's contact information by clicking on his/her name. You can also review our entire index of Speakers Bureau presenters. Please remember - only members can schedule a Speakers Bureau presentation. Once you find an interesting topic, use the reservation form to schedule a presentation.
Ethics & Public Policy
Censorship in American Education
Speaker: Joan DelFattore
Interest groups routinely use federal lawsuits, as well as the textbook adoption process in Texas and California, to influence the content of textbooks sold nationwide. Learn how this practice works, what it does to textbooks and how it affects students in our public and private schools.
Death Penalty Debated
Speaker: Samuel Hoff
This presentation covers the history of capital punishment in the United States, current methods of execution, and the arguments for and against the practice. The discussion includes the matter by which the death penalty has been used in Delaware. The impact of recent court decisions on the death penalty will be reviewed and assessed.
Diversity - A Winning Balance
Speaker: Rudolph Bailey
This presentation will highlight the societal changes in America's demographics over the past two decades; it will look at historical and contemporary perspectives relative to diversity; recognize the impact that the issue of diversity has on individuals, organizations and society as a whole; and present ways to foster diversity awareness and appreciation.
Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide: Ethical Issues
Speaker: Stephen Taylor
The related issues of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide will be examined as they pertain to clinical patients who are reasonably considered to be terminally, or irreversibly, ill or injured. Important distinctions that are inherent both in and between these two medical moral issues will be explored in order to identify the moral rights and responsibilities of all relevant parties.
History of Etiquette and Its Different Cultural Interpretations
Speaker: Lisa Strong Chase
Follow the evolutions of civil society's 'rules of the game' as they evolved from King Louis XIV's court, through the interpretations and societal impact of 'proper manners' in the New World, Victorian era, and in today's society, where customs can differ greatly from one country to the next, especially in the area of entertaining guests. Learn about some of the origins of a variety of our most genteel behaviors, and how to be properly at ease in social and business settings.
Informed Consent in the Medical Context: Ethical Issues
Speaker: Stephen Taylor
In addition to the fundamental moral concepts and ethical issues that are inherent in the question whether, and to what extent, a patient's "informed consent" to a medical procedure is meaningful, the following practical considerations will be explored: both the elements that are necessary for inclusion on any informed consent document and the safeguards that need to be adhered to in the process of acquiring the informed consent of a patient in order for real informed consent to actually be achievable.
Kids, Crime & Local TV News
Speaker: Danilo Yanich
Often, the news hits us in the face -especially when we hear about kids acting out in violence against other kids, as in the case of the infamous Columbine and Jonesboro incidents. But is that really the picture? Using videotape of local broadcast as examples, the speaker looks at the coverage of juvenile and adult crime and comes to surprising conclusion. Is if sensational or is it mundane? The speaker also considers the relationship between viewers and the media. How does the news get to be news? Who makes the selection? Based on what criteria? What does that mean for how we see our communities?
New Visions: Seeing Disabilities From a Different Perspective
Speaker: Mark Bernstein and Beverly Stapleford
Now more than ever, individuals with disabilities are entering the mainstream of community life. The presentation will explore the myths and stereotypes historically held by society toward people with disabilities and provide a brief history of the treatment of individuals in America. It will also discuss current public policies such as de-institutionalization, inclusion, self-determination and People First Language. Participants will be challenged to see people's 'abilities' as well as their strengths, gifts and talents.
Patients & Their Physicians: Ethical Questions
Speaker: Stephen Taylor
The following moral concepts that are fundamental in the relationship between a physician and a patient will be considered: 'autonomy', 'paternalism', and 'truth-telling'. Associations among these three moral concepts and the many practical and ethical considerations that stem from them will be explored within the context of the physician-patient relationship.
Privacy and Confidentiality in the Clinical Context: Ethical Issues
Speaker: Stephen Taylor
The moral right to privacy of the clinical patient will be examined in its two most fundamental aspects: first, the extent to which others are allowed to observe the patient in the clinical setting, and second, the extent to which information about the patient, in the clinical setting, is to be kept confidential.
Privacy & the Internet in an Age of Global Terrorism
Speaker: Andrew Zimmerman
The meteoric rise of the Internet has made it a fixture in approximately half of all US households. Is this a benign presence, empowering people by giving them a cornucopia of information about the world around them? Or is it a potentially hostile intruder, dominating people by taking information they may unwillingly furnish about themselves and using it to monitor their every move? Between these two possible scenarios lie enormous implications for people's privacy and other rights considered essential to a democratic society. This program is a 'hands-on' workshop designed to heighten participants' awareness of the far-reaching power that the Internet and other modern information technologies have in our personal and collective lives.
The History of Medicine
Speaker: Thomas Gallagher
As medicine has changed, we have praised the benefits while criticizing the disadvantages, rarely seeing the relationship between the two elements. The speaker will look at the changes in medicine that have developed during the past 100 years, as technology has improved to extend our life span, and explore changes in the physician/patient relationship.
The Withholding and Withdrawing of Medical Treatment: Ethical Issues
Speaker: Stephen Taylor
The moral right to the refusal of recommended medical treatment will be explored with respect to both patients who are and those who are not deemed competent to make health care decisions for themselves. Relevant to this discussion will be an examination of the various types of advance medical directives as well as the role of patient advocates and patient surrogates in the health care decisions for others.
The World in Your Backyard: Discovering Diversity Right Where You Are
Speaker: Deborah Bailey
Now more than ever in our post-September 11th society, we need the ability to interact with a wide variety of persons from diverse cultures and viewpoints. Understanding cultural diversity is more than mere preference…it is a critical 21st century leadership skill. Through a series of lively and reflective exercises on cultural diversity, you too can learn the framework necessary for exploring the world around you and embracing diversity right where you are!
Understanding the Dynamics of Inequality in Society
Speaker: Horacio D. Lewis
Using a non-threatening approach and employing the analogy of a 'tossed salad' rather than the misguided notion of a 'melting pot' this presentation will address the pluralism of our society. The speaker will focus on discriminatory behaviors that prevent full participation of all citizens in our society, resulting in a loss of their valuable contributions.
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Pastimes Old & New
Children's Toys or Adult Joys? Dollhouses & Miniatures as Reflections of Architecture, Design and Social History
Speaker: Wanda Morris Simons
For centuries, everyday items made small have enchanted adults and children alike. Dollhouses and miniatures have been impacted by, and are reflective of, history -especially religion, immigration, wars and the economy-as well as architecture and design. This slide lecture traces the social history and customs involving miniature from religious objects to careful replicas of architecture and furnishings, from children's toys to today's impressive adult collections. The talk is accompanied by a display of contemporary miniature settings.
Flower Arranging the Winterthur Way
Speaker: Alberta Melloy
This slide lecture offers lavish full color illustrations of flower arrangements distinct to Winterthur Museum. The presentation provides advice on the principles of design, preparation of plant material and how to create fresh flower arrangements the Winterthur Way. It covers 1983-1990, the time period during which Ms. Melloy was Head Flower Arranger of Winterthur Museum and Gardens.
Great Oaks from Tiny Acorns Grow: A Look at how the Making and Selling of Children's Toys has become Big Business
Speaker: Erika Wilson
This talk traces the growth of toy-making for profit, from its earliest beginnings in local blacksmiths' forges, carpenters' workshops, and side street stationers, to what is believed to be the first printed toy catalog ever produced. This is the 1793 catalog, circulated in many countries, by the firm of Bestelmeier in Nuremberg, Germany. It continues through the sweatshop era to big-scale factory production and the intensive advertising campaigns of our own day.
King Tut's Game
Speaker: Erika Wilson
Did you know that the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt played Tic-Tac-Toe, and Chinese Checkers did not come from China? Discover the somewhat surprising origins of games including Dominoes, Chess and Backgammon, as well as the beginnings of more recent arrivals such as Monopoly and Scrabble. Reproductions of ancient games and their modern descendants will be on display.
Pink for a Girl: 100 Years of Adult Prejudices in Children's Table Games
Speaker: Erika Wilson
This program asks you to take a close look at the board games that children have played over the last 100 years. In the late 1800's ugly racial, sexual and religious stereotypes were extremely common and minorities of any kind were shown as figures of fun. We will examine games from the 1800's to the 2000 to decide whether these stereotypes still exist in different ways.
Saving Family Treasures
Speaker: Michael Dixon
Family treasures are often neglected, frequently tucked away in drawers, trunks and attics. Preserving these heirlooms - items such as marriage certificates, family Bibles, letters, journals, and photos - is important, for they tell us about the past and connect the generations. Yet, all too often, these relics are lost to accidents, deterioration, or the urge to clean house. This talk introduces caretakers to basic methods for preserving and protecting family relics and papers.
The Tea of it All
Speaker: Barbara Wilhide
Henry James once wrote that "there are few hours in life more agreeable than the hours devoted to the ceremony known as afternoon tea." This light-hearted presentation is offered by area stage, screen and television personality, Barbara Wilhide and uses many aspects of the topic of tea to touch on the eccentricity of an ancient Chinese Emperor, the growth and development of the great trade routes between East and West, and ceremonies unique to various cultures, to name a few. From memories as a budding singer performing for her Grandmother's "Silver Teas" to the present-day presentation of the now back in vogue formal or informal "Tea", Barbara Wilhide's experiences will prove that tea is more than what you might think!
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Religion
Abraham's Children: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
Speaker: Stacey E. Ake
The story of Abraham has given rise to three very different progeny: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, each of which interprets the events of Abraham's life differently. In light of current events, it is important to consider the history, not merely of each religion itself, but of their relationships with each other and how they have influenced one another. In this lecture, we will explore the tenets of each faith, the way in which they agree as well as points of contention. And we will also discuss various world events that have brought us to our contemporary situation.
Basics of Islam
Speaker: Adly Gorrafa
Founding of Islam fourteen centuries ago by the prophet Mohammed is reviewed in a historical perspective as an extension of Judaism and Christianity. Basic teachings of Islam, based on the scripture of the Qur'an are discussed.
Future of Islam
Speaker: Adly Gorrafa
After briefly presenting the five basic tenets of Islam, the spread of that religion to the current 1,500 million Muslims is reviewed. The political, governmental, economical and fundamental aspects of Islam, as well as its struggle to adapt to the western modern world, are discussed.
Prayer in Public Schools, Public Funding of Religious Schools: Pros & Cons
Speaker: Joan DelFattore
This presentation explains what Congress and the federal courts are doing about school prayer, graduation prayer, religious club, and other forms of student religious expression. It also describe the power of interest groups that file lawsuits, write and lobby legislation, and generate grassroots action on both sides of this debate.
The Beliefs of the Old Order Amish
Speaker: Thomas Gallagher
How have the Amish maintained their religious tradition in spite of the changing world? This lecture will explore the history of the Amish Church and the essentials of their beliefs
The Bible in Western Civilization and World Civilization
Speaker: Steven Helmling
Among the great world cultures, Western Civilization is uniquely turbulent, dynamic, unstable, and revolutionary. And more than any other single factor, the Bible is responsible for this ambiguous cultural endowment. Come hear a student of cultural history discuss the ways in which the Covenantal monotheism of Judeo-Christianity has shaped western culture, past and present; and how it promises to reshape the future of the rest of the world, too, as the planet experiences the 'globalization' of Western economic, political, and social values in the coming century.
Vietnam at the Crossroads of World Religions
Speaker: Mark McLeod
Vietnam is more than a place we fought in; it is a complex country situated at the crossroads of the major religions of the world. This slide presentation discusses the impact Animism, Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Christianity have had on this war-torn country.
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Women's Lives
Delaware Women of the Young Republic: A Case Study
Speaker: Susanne N. Fox
This lecture presents a portrait of the Ridgely family women of Kent County during the years following the American Revolution. Using family letters, it illustrates their connections to the thriving cultural scene in Philadelphia, as well as their kinship network and friendships that enabled them to participate in the changes taking place within our country during the period termed ‘the Young Republic.'
Famous Women
Speaker: Evelyn Swensson
Monologues describing the times in which each woman lived and singing and playing music each one loved. The famous women are thoroughly researched to capture the personalities of each individual. Portrayals of the following historic women are presented in authentic period costume:
- Jenny Lind
- Sophie du Pont
- Susannah Wesley
- Martha Washington
(others upon request)
I'll Shoot You First, Myself: One Woman's Journey in 'This Man's Army'
Speaker: Eugenia Thornton
"I'll shoot you myself, first," was Army Lieutenant Eugenia Thornton's battalion commander's unsolicited 'reassurance' that no harm would come to her at enemy hands if her position was overrun by North Korean soldiers. She survived this battalion commander (and many more like him) to retire two decades later as one of the top three highest ranking women in the Army. Meet Colonel Thornton and learn if that Bronze Star she earned on Desert Storm was worth going without a bath for six months!
Inspired to Fly: A View of Aviator Bessie Coleman
Speaker: Sharon Moore
The focus of this talk is to recognize and appreciate the power, ingenuity and strength of Bessie Coleman. The circumstances surrounding her life, relatively close to the end of enslavement of African heritage peoples, might suggest that obtaining the basic needs would be sufficient. Yet, she exceeds acquiring the basics and forges forward as a pioneer in territory only moderately developed - aviation. She propels beyond numerous barriers in a male dominated arena and becomes a flyer.
The Pirate Granuaile and the Struggle for Ireland
Speaker: Susan Turnbull Shoemaker
Granuaile, known in English as Grace O'Malley, defied her husbands, culture, and English officials to become the pirate queen of Ireland and "nurse to all rebellions." A rare woman who transcended the restrictions of her time, she fulfilled her family motto, "Strong by land and by sea." Her economic and military activities coincided with the growing determination of the Tudor dynasty to bring Ireland firmly under the control of the English crown. Granuaile chose her own path during an age of piracy, slavery, and conquest.
The Role Of African-American Women in Society
Speaker: Clara Small
When we think of the historical role of African-American women, all too often we think of the stereotyped images of the 'mammy', 'the promiscuous women', or the 'strong black woman'. This presentation examines the changing role of African-American women in American Society from the colonial era to the present day. Discussion will include African-American women who stepped out of the traditional role of nurturer and homemaker, by highlighting individuals such as Phyllis Wheatley, Harriet Tubman, Ida B. Wells, and Rosa Parks.
Women in the Bible: Another Look
Speaker: A.J. DeArmond
In the continuing debate over the question of equality between woman and men, the Bible has often been used to support the idea that woman should be subordinate to men. The Bible itself is discussed as counterweight to this view.
Women in the First World War: Dr. Elsie Inglis and the Scottish Women's Hospital
Speaker: Susan Turnbull Shoemaker
When the Great War broke out in August 1914, Elsie Inglis, already the founder of the Edinburgh Medical College and one of the founders of the Scottish Women's Suffrage Federation, suggested that women's medical units should be mobilized for service on the Western Front. She was told by a male official, "My dear lady, go home and sit still." Instead, Inglis established the Scottish Women's Hospitals Committee. She and her Committee are credited with establishing fourteen all-women medical units that served in France, Serbia, Corsica, Salonika, Romania, Russia, and Malta during the First World War. Despite Winston Churchill's claim that she would "shine forever in history," Elsie Inglis still does not have her own entry in the Encyclopedia Britannica.
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