Science, Scientism, & Anti-Science in the Humanities: A Symposium in Honor of Barbara Herrnstein Smith

Updated 2/28/11: the entire symposium is now available on video. Please follow links below to view video of each session.

Please join us for a one-day symposium in honor Barbara Herrnstein Smith, Braxton Craven Professor of Comparative Literature and English at Duke. Spring 2011 is Prof. Smith's final semester on Duke's teaching faculty. Her work has been vital in fostering discussions of the critical and institutional exchanges between the humanities and the sciences. This symposium will honor that work along with her many other contributions to the university and the academy. Co-sponsored by the Department of English and Program in Literature.

Program Schedule

10 - 10:15am [Youtube]
Welcome - Ian Baucom, Franklin Humanities Institute, Duke
Introduction - Fredric Jameson, Duke

10:15am - 12:15pm - Panel [Youtube]
Chair: Ian Baucom
"Mutuality, Incommensurablity, and Credulity," Elizabeth Wilson, Emory
"Science and the Lyric," Jonathan Culler, Cornell
"Common Sense," Mark Hansen, Duke [Youtube]

1 - 3pm - Panel [Youtube]
Chair: Jane Tompkins, Emerita, Duke
"What Was Nature? Revisiting the Nexus of Science and Religion," Andrew Janiak, Duke
"Contingencies of Science and Culture: Some Inspirations from Barbara Herrnstein Smith," Casper Bruun Jensen, IT University of Copenhagen
"Reflections on Natural Reflections," Kate Hayles, Literature, Duke

3:30 - 5:30pm: Roundtable [Youtube]
Moderator: Nancy Armstrong, English, Duke
Stanley Fish, Florida International University College of Law [Youtube]
Susan Hegeman, English, University of Florida
Tim Lenoir, Jenkins , Duke
Rob Mitchell, English, Duke

5:30
Remarks from Barbara Herrnstein Smith [Youtube]

(Click image to download PDF flyer)