October: Consumerism

Through the October topic of consumerism, we want to address questions like the following: How does mass media use techniques such as storytelling (http://www.ted.com/talks/tyler_cowen_be_suspicious_of_stories) to influence and control people? How has consumerism contributed to a first-world mentality, including our need to perfect our image and accumulate wealth and success? What is the relationship between consumerism and tragedies such as mass-shootings, mental-health problems, terrorism, and other disasters? Is consumerism having a negative effect on arts such as music, film, and literature or contributing to new and often sub-par “contemporary art”? What effect is consumerism having on the alcohol, drug, and dietary problems of people?

November: Youth

Through the November topic of youth, we want to address questions like the following: What is the current state of “college culture” and is it a desirable state? What do the current practices of Greek life reflect about today’s youth? How has the internet and emergent digital society affected today’s youth?