Critical Issues Symposium

Discerning Truth in a World of Uncertainty
Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Daytime classes are canceled to allow students, faculty and staff full opportunity to attend the keynote address and take part in afternoon breakout sessions. Each of the college’s academic divisions will host an afternoon breakout session.

The Student Congress has worked hard to assemble a program on a topical and important subject that should be of interest to all on campus. We strongly encourage faculty to consider ways in which they can integrate the keynote lecture and/or one or more of the breakout sessions into your courses and syllabi.

10 a.m. – Keynote Lecture: “Beyond Fake News: Finding Truth in a World of Disinformation”
Dr. Justin McBrayer
DeVos Fieldhouse

Dr. Justin McBrayer is professor of philosophy at Fort Lewis College. He is the author of Beyond Fake News: Finding Truth in a World of Disinformation. 

1–2:30 p.m. – Breakout Sessions
(Choose One)

• “Music: The Universal Language”
  Jazz professor and drummer Robert Shipley (music)
  Fried-Hemenway Auditorium, Martha Miller Center
  
  
• “The Truth Will Set you Free: Christ, Creeds and Commitment in a Confused Age”
  Dr. Jared Ortiz (religion)
  Winants Auditorium, Graves Hall

3–4:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions
(Choose One)

• “Critical Race Theory: From Arcane Academic Theory to Political Lightning Rod”
  Drs. Pamela Koch (sociology) and David Ryden (political science)
  Winants Auditorium, Graves Hall
  
  
• “Climate Change and the Search for Truth”
  Drs. Jeffrey Christians (engineering) and Joshua Bowman (political science; All Saints Anglican Church)
  Schaap Auditorium, Bultman Student Center

4:45–6 p.m. — Reception
Campus Living room, Bultman Student Center

All are encouraged to attend!