Furman University

All FYI lectures begin at noon and last approximately one hour.  The FYI center is located at 612 South Main Street across from Mary’s Restaurant at Falls Cottage.  For more information, contact Furman’s Marketing and Public Relations office at 864-294-2185 or e-mail Marie Newman-Rogers at marie.newman-rogers@furman.edu.  

Ten-minute synopses of all lectures are available online here.

 

Wednesday, March 17
“Going Ballistic: Chase Scenes, Chamber Music and the Caccia"
Mark Kilstofte, Professor of Music, Furman University

Ever wondered what goes through a composer’s mind when he’s writing music?  Kilstofte, Furman’s award-winning composer, will explain how it works for him.  He will talk specifically about his “Ballistic Etude 3.1,” a sextet which is slated for local premiere on the Greenville Symphony's Spotlight Series March 20 and 21.  Dr. Kilstofte will provide a tour of the piece’s landscape, insights into its genesis and its relationship to film noir and the Orpheus legend.

Wednesday, March 24
“The Taxing Season”
Suzy Summers, Professor of Business and Accounting, Furman University

No matter who's preparing your federal income tax forms every year, chances are you're not taking advantage of all your available deductions.  As April 15 draws near, Summers will discuss why individual federal tax law becomes more complicated every year as well as identify significant tax credits of which most people aren't aware.  Topics will include the taxation of social security benefits, deductions for children and the elderly, the earned income tax credit, and whether using tax preparation software is a wise thing to do.

Wednesday, March 31
“Keeping Furman’s Campus (and Your Yard) Beautiful”
Sheree Wright, Senior Grounds Keeper, Furman University

The Furman campus is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful in the nation, and Wright is one of those responsible for keeping it that way.  Wright oversees the Asia Garden and Place of Peace grounds at Furman, and she will talk about what the university must do to keep the campus looking great.  She’ll also provide tips about how you can get ready for spring planting, including soil testing and preparation, learning which plants do best in shade or sun, choosing the right fertilizer, and controlling insects and diseases.

Wednesday, April 7
“India and Pakistan: A Colonial Legacy, a Post-Colonial Mess”
Savita Nair, Associate Professor of History and Asian Studies, Furman University

Since the Partition of British India into India and Pakistan in 1947, these two countries have fought three wars against each other.  Tensions between them have ebbed and flowed over the last 63 years.  With both countries being nuclear-equipped, peace between them is essential for the stability of the region—and the world.  Dr. Nair will offer a historian’s perspective on India/Pakistan relations.

Wednesday, April 14 
“Active Kids, Active Brains"
Julian Reed, Associate Professor of Health and Exercise Science, Furman University

Brain research suggests that participation in regular physical activity can foster academic achievement and performance in children.  Studies have also found that children who are physically active tend to have fewer behavior problems and decreased rates of absenteeism.   Dr. Reed is currently overseeing an experimental program at the Fuller Normal School (K-8) in Greenville where regular physical activity is an important part of the curriculum.  He will talk about what educators at the school have learned thus far.

Wednesday, April 21
“What Happened to the Emerging Democratic Majority? Barack Obama’s First Year and the Future of the Democratic Party”
Jim Guth, William R. Kenan, Jr., Professor of Political Science, Furman University

A year ago, many political scientists, pundits, and strategists were proclaiming the appearance of a new Democratic electoral majority in the United States, envisioning a long period of political dominance.  Just a year later, those projections seem extraordinarily misguided.  Dr. Guth will explore what went wrong for the Democrats and what the GOP should anticipate in its own future.