September 22 – December 8, 2015
Humor is ever present in our daily lives. We are entertained, charmed, shocked, and sometimes offended by it. The 2015 Honors Colloquium will take you on a journey, examining topics such as humor in medicine, humor and identity, and humor in the law. Humor has broad relevance and this series will raise as many questions as it answers about the power of humor in our lives. Please join us for this learning experience that promises to be both funny and poignant.
The public is invited to attend this series of free events in person or online. All lectures, with the exception of October 6, are available on URI Livestream.
Speakers
September 22
Patch Adams
Humor in Medicine
Pediatrician, clown and activist, Dr. Adams is the co-founder of the Gesundheit Institute for Holistic Medicine. He uses humor to promote health and wellness in his medical practice and in his roles as patient advocate and speaker. Dr. Adams has won numerous awards for his work and was portrayed in the Hollywood Blockbuster Patch Adams.
September 29
Robert Mankoff
Humor and Cartooning
Cartoon editor for The New Yorker and author of numerous books on humor and cartooning, including How About Never—Is Never Good for You?, Mankoff is a sought-after lecturer and delivered a popular TED talk about the appreciation of humor.
October 6
Teja Arboleda
Humor and Diversity
President and creative director of Entertaining Diversity, Inc., Arboleda is an Emmy award-winning assistant director/editor and winner of two Telly Awards. He is the author of In the Shadow of Race: Growing Up as a Multiethnic, Multicultural, and “multiracial” American and has extensive experience as a performer, writer, editor and producer—teaching about race, cultural diversity and the impact of humor. This event will not be available for live streaming or archived.
October 13
John Fugelsang
Humor in Politics
TV and radio host, actor, and comedian, Fugelsang has appeared on TV, in CSI and Providence, and in major motion pictures, including Coyote Ugly. He is the host of the politically-focused comedic show Tell Me Everything on Sirius Radio.
October 27
Sophie Scott
Science of Laughter
Professor and neuroscientist at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College, London, Scott’s research focuses on the neurobiology of speech perception. Her love of and interest in stand-up comedy bridges the gap between neuroscience and the study of laughter. Her TED talk “Why We Laugh” has earned international acclaim.
Watch the videoNovember 3
Laura E. Little
Humor and the Law
The Charles Klein Professor of Law and Government and senior advisor to the dean of the law school at Temple University, Professor Little specializes in conflicts of laws, constitutional law, and humor and the law. She has presented internationally and authored several manuscripts on humor and the law, including “Just a Joke: Defamatory Humor and Incongruity’s Promise.”
November 17
R. Bruce Baum
Humor and Disability
A beloved professor of education and 2007 recipient of the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching at Buffalo State College, Baum is also the creative director of Humor Creativity, a group that uses humor, magic and creativity to promote professional and personal growth. Baum has authored several books, including How to Motivate Audiences: 121 Energizers, Ice Breakers and more.
December 1
Liza Donnelly
Eleanor M. and Oscar M. Carlson Women’s Studies Lecture
Humor and Gender
Liza Donnelly is a writer and cartoonist currently working with The New Yorker and Forbes.com. Her area of expertise is the use of humor and cartoons to promote gender equality and world peace. She is a cultural envoy for the U.S. State Department.
December 8
Marc Abrahams
Humor in Science
Author, editor and co-founder of the Annals of Improbable Research, Abrahams is also MC for the Ig® Nobel Prize, an award for science that “makes you laugh, then think,” currently in its 25th award year. He is the author of many books, including This is Improbable Too and is a columnist for The Guardian. He speaks about the sometimes-humorous side to serious scientific inquiry.
Additional Events
October 6
You’ve Crossed the Line
Following the Honors Colloquium lecture with Teja Arboleda, M.Ed., Improv Comedians Perform with URI Guest Judges: Professor of Biology Bryan Dewsbury, Honors Program Faculty Rachel Walshe, Asst. VP Student Affairs and Dean of StudentsMary Jo Gonzales; and Asst. Director of Diversity, College of Engineering Charles Watson. 8:30 p.m. Edwards Auditorium.
October 15–18 and 22–25
In the Next Room (or the vibrator play), by Sarah Ruhl
Presented by the URI Department of Theatre
Directed by Bryna Wortman
Fine Arts Center
October 18
“The Electricity of Love” Following the matinee performance of In the Next Room (or the vibrator play) panel discussion moderated by Director and Associate Professor of Theatre Bryna Wortman, with Associate Professor of English Caroline Betensky, Associate Professor of Theatre David Howard, and Professor of Sociology Helen Mederer. The panel is free and open to the public. Fine Arts Center
November 7
URI Family Weekend
A Very Stupid Conversation
Performance by Steve Martin and Martin Short
8 p.m The Ryan Center