Sierra College, Tahoe-Truckee announces fall line up for Insights

SIERRA COLLEGE INSIGHTS
FALL 2015 LINE UP

Sept. 11
Science or Prophecy: The Catch-22 of the American Science Adviser

Oct. 9
Reading Faces to Understand People

Nov. 6
6:30 p.m. refreshments
7 to 8:15 p.m. program

Sierra College, Tahoe-Truckee, 11001 College Trail, Truckee, CA

Sierra College Insights inspires dialogue between outstanding professors and attendees. Community members enjoy complimentary refreshments - provided by the Truckee Starbucks shop - preceding each interactive evening session. There is no cost to attend.

On Sept. 11 professor Lyndah Walsh unveils “Science or Prophecy: The Catch-22 of the American Science Adviser.” Dr. Walsh addresses some of the key controversies in the history of American science policymaking, and identifies a thread that runs through all of them—namely, the tendency to treat scientists as prophets. Expect to hear about and ask questions regarding the language around DDT, nuclear proliferation, and climate change.

“Rachel Carson, Carl Sagan and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change were all put in a curious double-bind as a result of public advocacy. They were expected to speak with certainty about uncertain matters. To cope with this dilemma, they all resorted to an ancient template for manufacturing certainty in crisis—prophecy. But of course, this strategy created problems for their scientific reputations, and it continues to complicate our science-policymaking in the U.S.,” explains Dr. Walsh who teaches writing classes at the University of Nevada, Reno.

“A hallmark of our series is diversity. Speakers represent expertise across multiple disciplines. Discover what makes people tick and why during the fascinating October session,” shares Dr. Bateman.

Naomi Tickle, a face reading expert and career consultant, has appeared on CNN, NBC, BBC, Good Morning America and numerous television and radio shows around the world. She will present “Reading Faces to Understand People” on Oct. 9.

“The face reading system we use has been well researched since the 1940s. It is a great tool for sales, coaching, career assessments, team building, and understanding children,” says Tickle who will introduce key facial traits that will help attendees better understand themselves and others.

Returning by popular demand, the highly engaging and humorous Dr. Justin Gifford will share anecdotes, research and personal experiences that have shaped his study of African American literature during “Frank Yerby:  King of the Costume Novel.” Professor Gifford follows up on his biography of pimp-turned-writer Iceberg Slim to tell the story of one of the most fascinating and reclusive black writers of the 20th century on Nov. 6.

Gifford explains, “Frank Yerby is the highest selling African American writer in history, with over 60 million books sold.  However, he has been almost lost to literary history.  The author of over 30 historical romances that feature swashbuckling pirates, Southern damsels in distress, and other archetypal genre characters, Yerby made a fortune passing for white and appealing to white audiences.  Yet at one time, Yerby was praised as a black protest writer with the same stature as Richard Wright.”

Reservations are highly recommended (space is limited to the first sixty people who RSVP). Visit sierracollege.ticketleap.com to reserve a seat for any or all of the autumn 2015 offerings.