What do you think of stem cell research? How do we respond to today’s economy? How can we solve global poverty? The Azusa Pacific University community explores these questions and more as classes shut down for a day of discussion at the annual Common Day of Learning on Wed., March 4.
The day includes presentations from guest speakers, Joni Eareckson Tada and Nigel Cameron, authors of How to be a Christian in a Brave New World. Individually, each has served as a voice in the Christian community on bioethics. Together, they will lead a discussion on science and bioethics, culminating the day’s events with an evening presentation from 6-8:30 p.m. discussing how to best preserve the sanctity and dignity of human life in light of recent technological developments.
This year’s keynote speaker, Judith M. Dean, Ph.D., is the senior international economist with the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington D.C. Dean specializes in international trade and developmental research, and has recently combined these interests with her study of the environment. The keynote address on asking the right questions to solve the problem of global poverty takes place during chapel, from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Following lunch, at 1:15 p.m., Dean will explore whether there must be a trade-off between economic development and environmental protection, using China as an example.
Additional session highlights include:
• Leslie Wickman, Ph.D., director for APU’s Center of Research in Science (CRIS) will lead a panel presentation on “What Does it Mean to be Human?”
• Author and illustrator Davy Liu will share the process of writing for youth.
• Kathy McReynolds, Ph.D., director of the Policy Center for the Christian Institute on Disability, will hold a workshop discussion on ethical decision making.
For a complete schedule and list of sessions, visit www.apu.edu/cdl/schedule/.
Since 1993, APU’s annual William E. and Ernest L. Boyer Common Day of Learning has fostered its commitment to scholarship by hosting this campus-wide conference dedicated to academic discovery. This year’s Common Day of Learning is planned around the central theme of “Teaching Knowledge and Good Judgment.”
Reporters interested in attending the event should contact Allison Oster at (626) 815-4518.
