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 Pathways to Knowledge: A Lecture Series for Undergraduate and Graduate Students
Fall 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
7:00-8:00 P.M.
Gifford Auditorium
Plumage Evolution in Bearded Manakins
Adam C. Stein
Ph.D Candidate
Department of Biology
Syracuse University
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The study of speciation, or the formation of one or more species from an existing species, is considered a significant but little understood evolutionary process. In the most widely accepted definition of a species (i.e., biological species concept), the evolution of reproductive isolation is the defining step in the formation of a species. Reproductive isolation can occur as a by-product of either physical or behavioral incompatibilities that arise among evolving populations.
Evidence demonstrates that divergent selection on sexual signals can cause reproductive isolation, but the underlying mechanisms that cause sexual signals to diverge among populations still remain poorly understood. This presentation will discuss research concerning this problem.
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Tuesday, October 30, 2007
7:00-8:00 P.M.
Gifford Auditorium
The Road to Green Chemistry
Miriam Gillett-Kunnath
Ph.D Candidate
Department of Chemistry
Syracuse University
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Alkaline earth metals are central components in a large selection of materials with technical applications, including ferroelectric ceramics (BaTiO3), memory devices and optoelectronics (CaGa2S4). Despite the wealth of applications, the selection and synthetic capabilities of molecular alkaline earth compounds remain limited due to their highly air- and moisture sensitivity.We propose to improve this situation by exploring a modified synthetic route, based on the redox transmetallation/ligand exchange pathway—which has long been used for the preparation of rare earth derivatives by using organomercury and organothallium reagents.
Use of benign BiPh3 as an alternative transmetallating agent to the commonly used mercurials will be discussed. The effectiveness of the reagent is demonstrated in the facile, high yield synthesis of a variety of alkaline earth metal amides.
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Thursday, November 8, 2007
7:00-8:00 P.M.
Gifford Auditorium
Politics, Piety, and Pantheism:
Spinoza and Hegel on the Idea of the Will
Ben Stahlberg
Ph.D Candidate
Department of Religion
Syracuse University
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One of the most prominent ideas in our culture is the idea of the individual. Humans are very different from one another, and we reserve judgment on the worth of humans until we come to appreciate their qualities as individuals. This idea is especially important in the fields of religion and politics, wherein the values of individuals – as opposed to groups – are taken to be sacrosanct, unless they violate the freedoms of other individuals.
However, two modern philosophers, Spinoza and Hegel, completely rethought this view of humanity. Their philosophical views led them to dismiss the idea of the individual will. For them, human beings are a part of (rather than apart from) a larger totality by which they understand themselves. I will explain the connection between this philosophical view of humanity and their views on politics and religion.
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