Lecture program - Fall 2019
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Sunday, September 22
2:00 pm |
The Stained Glass Windows of the Women's Building at the Chicago World Fair of 1893
Charlene Garfinkle, Ph. D. International expositions are traditionally ephemeral—not meant to exist physically beyond the exposition dates. Even though the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago was the largest of all the 19th-century World Fairs, very little remains of its buildings and decorations. This poses unique problems for art historians wanting to study exposition architecture, as the object of their study is no longer present. They need to piece together what was displayed by using period photographs, descriptions from contemporary publications, and information from a variety of archives. They also enlist the aid of members of communities throughout the country to locate any salvaged decorative arts. Essentially, they become detectives, seeking out clues, making connections, and using their best intuition to solve the mystery of their fate. Dr. Garfinkle will talk about how she investigated and discovered the fate of three beautiful stained glass windows that illuminated the auditorium of the Woman's Building. A fascinating glimpse into an art historian’s detective work! |
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Sunday, October 20
2:00 pm |
Black Holes and the Information Paradox
Henry Maxfield, Post-Doctoral Fellow, Physics Department, UCSB Astronomers have very recently given us our first direct look at some of the most exotic objects in the universe: black holes. They have been inspiring and puzzling theoretical physicists for much of the hundred years since Einstein introduced his general theory of relativity, which predicts their existence. Black holes only become more mysterious when we try to reconcile them with quantum mechanics, in particular leading to the "information paradox", an apparent conflict between general relativity and quantum mechanics that has not been satisfactorily resolved despite decades of effort. I'll talk about the ideas that lead to the prediction of black holes and to the information paradox, and progress towards a resolution. |
Sunday, November 17
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The Relationship Between Environmental Beliefs, Social Norms, and Support for Environmental Action
Professor David Sherman, Psychology and Brain Sciences Department, UCSB Addressing global issues such as climate change requires significant support and engagement of citizens with diverse socio-cultural and political backgrounds. Professor Sherman's research shows that people with different cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and identities support or reject pro-environmental actions for different reasons. He studies how cultural background and socioeconomic status act as moderators of the link between environmental beliefs, social norms, and support for environmental action, and how identity works as a predictor of environmental action and policy support. The talk will also include a discussion on shared psychological mechanisms underlying the influence of these factors, and how this knowledge may be utilized to bring out desired social change. |
All programs take place in the multi-purpose room of the Goleta Valley Library.
They are free of charge and open to all. Space is limited.
Donations welcomed!
Please park in the upper lot of the Church of Christian Science, next door to the library. No RVs please.
They are free of charge and open to all. Space is limited.
Donations welcomed!
Please park in the upper lot of the Church of Christian Science, next door to the library. No RVs please.