2012-13 Civic Engagement Theme
Virtual Living: Technology’s Impact on Culture and Learning
Most of us interact with technology throughout each day, whether we are driving our car, withdrawing money from an ATM machine, researching a paper or updating our status on Facebook. This year’s Civic Engagement Theme invites us to evaluate the many effects that the constantly changing technologies have on our lives, sometimes in ways of which we are hardly aware.
Whether we think of evolving digital, biological, chemical or nano technologies, how have these changes improved opportunities and living conditions for many people? On the other hand, in what ways do our interactions with technology pose challenges in our interpersonal relationships, our use of resources, our financial decisions? In classes, public presentations, student activities and individual conversations, we will explore the impact of technology on our human development and learning.
2011-12 Civic Engagement Theme
Public Health: Promoting Wellness
for Self and Community.
The field of public health has been described as "the science and art of protecting and improving the health of communities through education, promotion of healthy lifestyles and research for disease and injury prevention."
The World Health Organization defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being..." This vision of wholeness echoes the gospel message of good news to the poor, release for the captive, restoration of sight to the blind, and freedom for the oppressed. During the 2011-12 academic year the Bluffton University community will examine the intersections between public health and other academic disciplines and explore ways to improve the health of ourselves, our communities and our world.
