Engaging our statewide community

Over the next four weeks, four WSU researchers will share their work and expertise with communities across the state of Washington.

The WSU faculty are members of the Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau and the initial cohort of WSU Foley Fellows.

Speakers Bureau talks are free public presentations on history, politics, music, philosophy, and everything in between. Humanities Washington’s roster of presenters are professors, artists, activists, historians, performers, journalists, and others—all chosen not only for their expertise, but their ability to inspire discussion with people of all ages and backgrounds. All talks are free and open to the public, and each lasts about an hour.

The four WSU faculty presentations are:

• Higher Power: The History of Evangelicals in American Politics

  Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 6:30 p.m.
  Indian Trail Library, Spokane WA

  Matthew Sutton, an Edward R. Meyer Distinguished Professor of history, traces the history of the religious right in America, from its early roots to its rise to power under Ronald Reagan and into the current era.

• Is Truth Really Dead in America?

  Monday, Feb. 24, at 1:00 p.m.
  Wesley Homes, Terrace Building, Des Moines, WA

  Steven Stehr, the Sam Reed Distinguished Professor in Civic Education and Public Civility, will discuss how we can be better informed in a world in which truth is being eroded by conspiracy theories, “alternative facts” and “fake news.”

• Marijuana: Evil Weed or Medical Miracle?

  Saturday, March 7, at 3:30 p.m.
  Granite Falls Library, Granite Falls, WA

  Rebecca Craft, a psychopharmacological researcher and Herbert L. Eastlick Distinguished Professor of psychology, will discuss the history of marijuana use and policy in the United States, including the shifts in public perception about the drug, and discuss the latest research about the potential for marijuana to heal or harm.

• Hacking Democracy: What Social Media is Doing to U.S. Politics

  Wednesday, March 11, at 7:00 p.m.
  North Central High School, Spokane WA

  Travis Ridout, a Thomas S. Foley Distinguished Professor of Government, will explore the increasingly central role of social media in politicians’ efforts to get elected and how politicians­­ and foreign spies are using social media and personal data to their advantage.