Professors share expertise over lunch in A&S lecture series

Capital sentencing. Handcrafted glass. Urban conservation. Perceptions about tobacco use. This smorgasbord of topics and expertise is what College of Arts and Sciences faculty will be serving up monthly through a luncheon lecture series this fall.

The college and the Liberal Studies Project offer the Meet the Professor series each semester to highlight the college's research and cultural offerings. Here is the fall 2016 schedule:

Sept. 1 – "Recognizing Quality and Value in Handmade Glass,” Che Rhodes, head of studio glass, fine arts. He will discuss the practical aspects of determining quality as well as the personal sensibilities that combine with quality to assign value to crafted glass artwork.

Oct. 6 – “Can Species Conservation and Urban Development Co-exist?” Margaret Carreiro, biology professor. She will dispute the common misperception that true urban nature can only be sustained in parks and reserves and discuss how people in cities and suburbs can create species-friendly habitats where they live and work.

Nov. 3 – “Smokin’ Hot Issues and Smoldering Concerns: Appalachian Youth and Tobacco,” Joy Hart and Kandi Walker, communication professors. They will discuss youth perceptions of tobacco use and products and will report on research from Appalachian regions of Kentucky, North Carolina and New York.

Dec. 1 – “Capital Sentencing in Kentucky,” Gennaro Vito, criminal justice chair. He will talk about research into the state’s capital sentences from 1976 to 2010, how capital punishment operates and why influencing factors at the jury and prosecutorial levels have changed over time.

The Thursday luncheon talks begin at noon in the University Club. Reservations are required, with $15 payment in cash or check. To reserve a spot, contact Janna Tajibaeva at 502-852-2247 or janna@louisville.edu no later than the Monday before each event.