UMBC
Events & Lectures

Social Sciences Forum
Fall 2012 Lecture Series

The Social Sciences Forum presents topics and perspectives of vital interest to the social sciences community and beyond. Lectures are free and open to the public and will last approximately one hour, followed by a question and answer period and a reception. For more information, call 410-455-2916.

If you would like to receive announcements about the Social Sciences Forum, email us.

Directions and Parking

Thursday, September 13 at 4pm
Albin O. Kuhn Library, 7th floor

“What's a Life Worth?”
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W. Kip Viscusi, University Distinguished Professor of Law, Economics, and Management,Vanderbilt School of Law

The value of statistical life (VSL) is a measure that forms the basis for assessing the benefits of government policies that reduce risks, such as regulatory efforts.  This presentation examines the empirical evidence on the heterogeneity of VSL and explores the potential implications for the valuation of regulatory policies, including the “senior discount” issue as well as differences in VSL with age, income, and immigrant status.

Mullen Lecture, sponsored by the Department of Economics

Wednesday, October 3 at 4pm
Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery

“Japanese Science and International Politics in the Interwar Period: The Nobel Candidacies of Hideki Yukawa (Physics) and Katsusaburo Yamagiwa (Physiology)”
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James R. Bartholomew, Professor of History, Ohio State University

Japan was a late-comer to modern science, though it produced important contributions earlier than many think, especially in medicine.  This talk examines some of the controversial cases involving Japanese scientists and the Nobel Prize in physics and medicine and reflects on what they tell us about Japan, modern science and the Nobel Prizes themselves. 

Sponsored by the Asian Studies Program; Office of the Dean, College of Natural & Mathematical Sciences; the Human Context of Science and Technology Program; and the Department of History

Wednesday, October 24 at 4pm
Albin O. Kuhn Library, 7th Floor

"Income, Inequality, Educational Outcomes"
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Sean Reardon, Professor of Education, Stanford University

Income inequality among the families of school-age children in the U.S. has grown sharply in the last 40 years.  What impact has this had on the educational success of U.S. students?  This talk will describe three recent studies that examine the trends in the relationship of income and income inequality to academic achievement and college enrollment. 

Sponsored by the Department of Public Policy and the Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Language, Literacy, and Culture

Thursday, November 8 at 4pm
Albin O. Kuhn Library, 7th Floor

“2012 Post-Election Forum”
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Donald F. Norris, Professor and Chair, Department of Public Policy and Director, Maryland Institute for Policy Analysis and Research
Thomas F. Schaller, Professor, Department of Political Science
Annie Linskey, state politics and government reporter, The Baltimore Sun

What happened in the 2012 Presidential Election, and why? Join experienced political analysts for an informed and engaging discussion about the election - the campaigns, candidates, key issues and voter turnout.

Sponsored by the Department of Public Policy and the Maryland Institute of Policy Analysis and Research

Wednesday, November 14 at 7pm
University Center Ballroom

“American Challenges for World Peace in the 21st Century”
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Horace G. Campbell, Professor of African American Studies and Political Science, Syracuse University

Dr. Campbell will assess current U.S. policies and political strategies to determine obstacles faced in attempting to fashion a lasting peace internationally.  Where possible, this analysis will make use of predictions and proclamations suggested by Du Bois during the first half of the 20th century to assess the proper role of the U.S. in fashioning a strategy for world peace.

W.E.B. Du Bois Lecture, sponsored by the Africana Studies Department