On Jan. 19, three Transylvania professors will participate in a panel discussion exploring the “Myths of Empire.” As part of the university’s Creative Intelligence series, political science professors Michael Cairo and Steve Hess will join history professor Gregg Bocketti to analyze the ideal of a benevolent America looking out for the good of the world against the reality of contemporary practice.
“In keeping with our ‘American Myth/American Reality’ theme, this year’s Creative Intelligence speakers all offer intriguing understandings that challenge pervasive myths,” said Greg Partain, music professor and director of Creative Intelligence. “In one way or another, they ask us to take a fresh look at ourselves, our convictions, our attitudes and each other.”
“At the ‘Myths of Empire’ panel event, three distinguished faculty will set their sights on American foreign policy and ask how well our behavior in the world matches our idealistic national self-perceptions,” Partain added.
Previous installments of the Creative Intelligence series have included the 2022-23 academic convocation featuring Vanderbilt Assistant Provost Jill Stratton ’91, a public talk given by NASA physicist Les Johnson ’84 and a poetry reading by U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón.
‘Myths of Empire’ will take place at 7 p.m. in Carrick Theater, and the panel will be followed by a Q&A session with the faculty members. The event is free and open to the public.