Discussions & Talks

kelly and esperanza spalding doing a q&a on stage

Throughout the year, the Center for the Humanities sponsors discussions, talks, and other opportunities for attendees to explore and discuss history, culture and ideas.

wonder and the worry q&a
book signing event for center for the humanities
dr. david pleasant riddim drumfolk workshop

Upcoming Events

Headshot of author Ted Chiang

Center for the Humanities, Annual Theme

Ted Chiang: The Art of Science Fiction

April 4, 7 p.m.

Detrick Hall

Find Out More
Headshot of Brian Merchant

Center for the Humanities, Annual Theme

Brian Merchant: The Human Cost of AI and Automation (Just AI Series)

May 1, 5:30 p.m.

Ray Theater

Find Out More
Headshot of Sean Sherman

Center for the Humanities

Sean Sherman: The (R)evolution of Indigenous Foodways

April 25, 7 p.m.

Detrick Hall

Find Out More
man with scary shadow

Center for the Humanities

The Making of True Crime: Behind the Scenes

April 1, 7 p.m.

Toomey Lobby

Find Out More
Science fiction scene with bubble city and flying spaceship

Center for the Humanities, Engagements

Worlds Beyond: Why Science Fiction Matters

April 7, 4 p.m.

Toomey Lobby

Find Out More
Dry land tinted with red

Center for the Humanities

Nuclear Stories from America's Atomic Heartland

March 13, 12 p.m.

Strand Hall, Room 263

Find Out More

Past Center for the Humanities events:

  • Oct 3, 2024 Doris Kearns Goodwin | Co-sponsored with the Oregon Historical Society

  • Oct 11, 2024 Ranky Tanky | Dr. David Pleasant, Introduction to Gullah Culture and History, Riddim Drumfolk Workshop

  • Oct 15, 2024 A lecture by Ivon Padilla-Rodriguez the day before Javier Zamora. Moderated by Assistant Professor of History Joel Zapata and Assistant Professor of Spanish Linguistics and Heritage Education Valeria Ochoa

  • Oct 17, 2024 A moderated discussion and Q&A after The Elephant in the Room featuring playwright and performer Priyanka Shetty and Assistant Professor of Creative Writing Sindya Bhanoo. Moderated by Assistant Professor of English Surabhi Balachander

  • Nov 6, 2024 Launch of Voices of the River, a journal highlighting Indigenous perspectives of the Columbia River watershed

  • Jan 17-19, 2025 ELIZA, the first Chatbot, and Early Human-Computer Interactions

  • Jan 18 & 25, 2025 Discussion of I Lived to Tell the World by Elizabeth Mehren

  • Jan 27, 2025 I Lived to Tell the World — Using Personal Narratives to Tell History

  • Feb 1, 2025 I Lived to Tell the World — Live