227 SPRING HONORS LECTURE SERIES INVESTIGATES ‘CRIME’

Date: Jan. 22, 2007

Editorial contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-2919
Honors College contacts: Dean Phil Mathis, 615-898-2152
and Associate Dean Scott Carnicom
615-898-2152

(MURFREESBORO) — “Crime – Causes, Detection, Punishment, Fact and Fiction” will be the theme for the Spring 2007 Honors Lecture Series.
After honors students’ study abroad presentations Jan. 22, the lecture series will begin Monday, Jan. 29, in the amphitheater (Room 106) of the Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building. All lectures are free and open to the public.
“The spring lecture series represents a smorgasbord of topics with something for everyone,” Dr. Phil Mathis, dean of the University Honors College, said. “Those who attend all scheduled lectures are likely to come away with a more complete understanding of the complex nature of crime as a subject, including many little known costs to society.
“By beginning to understand the crime problem and by gaining some understanding of its causes, students and members of the Murfreesboro community will be better positioned to develop solutions to tomorrow’s problems. More importantly, they will be more capable of formulating policies that will prevent many of today’s problems altogether.”
Dr. Jill Hague, professor in English and former interim associate dean for the honors college, and Mathis “selected the top after vetting it through the Honors Council in the early part of 2006,” he said.
“We chose the topic because of perceived student interest in ‘Cold Case,’ ‘CSI’ and other TV programming that deals with crime seems to be high,” Mathis said, adding, “the fact that the topic is one with broad impact on society, and we felt that the topic would have the potential to elicit vigorous debate, something that we always strive for in the Honors Lecture Series.
“Today, crime is an unwelcome growth industry: correction facilities, law enforcement officers, lawyers, detectives and crime laboratories continue to grow in number. Less obvious cost of crime includes the emotional impact on victims and families of victims.”
— MORE —
Spring 2007 Honors Lecture Series/Page 2




The lecture series schedule includes:
Jan. 29 — “The Sociology of Crime and Punishment,” presented by Dr. Andrew Austin, associate professor of social change and development chair of sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay;
Feb. 5 — “Sherlock Holmes: The First CSI,” presented by Dr. Bob Glenn, vice president for student affairs and vice provost for enrollment and academic services;
Feb. 12 — “DNA and Crime Scene Evidence,” presented by Dr. Tammy Melton, professor, chemistry;
Feb. 19 — “The Death Penalty: If At First We Don’t Succeed …,” presented by Dr. Bill Shulman, associate professor, criminal justice administration;
Feb. 26 — “Crime in Film,” presented by Dr. Mark Byrnes, associate dean, College of Liberal Arts;
March 12 — “Detective Fiction,” presented by Dr. Pete McCluskey, associate professor, English;
March 19 — “Talking to the Dead: A Forensic Anthropologist’s Persepective,” presented by Dr. Hugh Berryman, professor, sociology and anthropology;
March 26 — “Causes of Crime,” presented by Dr. James Tate, associate professor, psychology;
April 2 — “Crime: Intervention and Prevention — What Works?” presented by Dr. Gloria Hamilton, professor, psychology;
April 9 — “Crime and Punishment in 1940s Murfreesboro,” presented by Josh Alexander, Honors College alumnus.

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