North Central College will host its new series of webinars focused on COVID-19 beginning on June 30, 2020. The free webinars are open to the public and will explore these important uncharted moments in world history, centered on the pandemic and the many ripple effects it has in our lives and throughout our communities, as well as within a broader cultural and historical context.
North Central faculty from 13 academic programs will offer a total of 17 informative sessions in their areas of expertise, many of which will include live Q&A sessions with the professors.
The free webinars are open to the public, as well as to North Central College students and other members of the campus community.
“North Central College faculty have such a vast range of expertise, and the COVID-19 pandemic lends itself to examination from multiple perspectives,” said Stephen Maynard Caliendo, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at North Central College. “What has emerged throughout this project is a rich, multi-disciplinary exploration of this important moment in world history.”
According to the news release, students and the community at large will benefit from the information and invitation for discussion presented by many North Central professors.
“This series captures the essence of the North Central experience by combining real-world events with deeper academic exploration,” Maynard added.
Webinar series begins June 30, 2020
The webinar series will begin next Tuesday, June 30, with Dr. Michael Blight, assistant professor of communication, presenting on “Social Media and Misinformation,” and will conclude on Thursday, August 20, with Dr. Mary Groll, professor and program director of health sciences, presenting on “COVID-19 and Our Youth: Where We Are Now, and Where Are We Going?”
Two new webinars a week
There will be two new webinars released each week at northcentralcollege.edu/webinar-series, with live Q&A sessions a day later at either 12PM or 7PM. The full Q&A schedule is below. Note that dates and times are subject to change. Each webinar will be archived at the webpage above as well as the North Central College YouTube channel and available to view on-demand at least until January 1, 2021.
Webinar Schedule, Topics and Presenters (Subject to Change)
Social Media and Misinformation
June 30, 7PM CDT | Dr. Michael Blight, assistant professor of communication
The Chinese Response to COVID-19 in Three Stages
July 1, 12PMCDT | Dr. Jinai Sun, associate professor of Chinese
How Epidemics Have Shaped Chicago’s History
July 2, 12PM CDT | Dr. Ann Durkin Keating, Dr. C. Frederick Toenniges Professor of History
The Epidemiology of Coronaviruses
July 7, 7PM CDT | Dr. Greg Ruthig, associate professor of biology
The Invisible Pandemic
July 9, 12PM CDT | Judith Brodhead, associate professor of English
COVID-19 and The Constitution
July 14, 7PM CDT | Dr. Thomas Cavenagh, Schneller Sisters Professor of Leadership, Ethics, and Values; Director of Leadership, Ethics and Values program; co-director, Center for Social Impact
The Individualistic Root of the Resistance to Prevention in the U.S.
July 16, 12PM CDT | Dr. Yadong Ji, assistant professor of communication
Thucydides? Again?
July 21, 7PM CDT | Dr. Michael de Brauw, associate professor of classics
Voting During a Global Pandemic
July 23, 12PM CDT | Dr. Suzanne Chod, associate professor of politic science; Dr. William Muck, professor of political science
The Black Death, 1348-1352
July 28, 7PM CDT | Dr. Bruce Janacek, professor of history, executive director, sixteenth century society & conference
How the Pandemic Threatens Local Journalism (and What Might Be Done About It)
July 30, 12PM CDT | Dr. Steve Macek, Professor of Communication
From the Plague to COVID-19: Responding to Pandemic in Stories
August 4, 7PM CDT | Dr. Jennifer Smith, associate professor of English; chairperson, Department of English
The Chemistry of Anti-Viral Drugs Used to Treat COVID-19
August 6, 12PM CDT | Dr. Nicholas Boaz, assistant professor of chemistry
Understanding the Physiological and Psychological Aspects of COVID-19
August 11, 7PM CDT | Dr. Leila Azarbad, Professor of Psychology; Dr. Maggie Gill, associate professor of psychology and neuroscience; Dr. Alexis Chambers, assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience; Dr. Michael Stefanik, assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience
COVID-19 and the Environment
August 13, 12PM CDT | Dr. Rebecca Sanders, assistant professor of chemistry; Dr. Paul Bloom, associate professor of physics
From Global to Local: Supply Chain Structure Evolution and COVID-19
August 18, 7PM CDT | Dr. Esen Andic-Mortan, assistant professor of management
COVID-19 and Our Youth: Where We Are Now, and Where Are We Going?
August 20, 12PM CDT | Dr. Mary Groll, professor and program director of health sciences
Submitted by Kelly Murphy, Assistant Director of Communications, North Central College
Phase 4 of Restore Illinois
Editor’s Note / As of June 26, 2020, Phase 4 of the Governor’s Restore Illinois plan is in practice. This phase includes the reopening of schools and child care programs, more non-essential businesses, restaurants for indoor dining, health clubs, some movie theaters and other establishments with social distancing and safety measures in place.
Follow protocols—wash hands often, cover coughs and sneezes, wear a facemask to protect others and keep a 6′ social distance—while discovering the reopening of businesses that support our local economy. Help prevent a resurgence of the virus.
