Wednesday, March 26, 2003

WILMINGTON, NC – According to one adage, beauty is only skin deep. It’s also said to be in the eye of the beholder, which is the topic of a discussion scheduled for 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 8, in Dobo Hall, Room 103, at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

During “The Eye of the Beholder: Beauty and Aesthetics in the 21st Century,” UNCW faculty members representing academic disciplines in the sciences and humanities will explore beauty from a variety of perspectives including physiological, psychological, cultural, historic, poetic and economic, said William McCarthy, coordinator of the Science, Humanities and Society Program and event organizer.

“Beauty – that which is pleasing to the eye or ear – is relative. As individuals, each of us has his or her own definition and concept of beauty,” said McCarthy. “This discussion will attempt to trace the many influences that society uses to shape that definition.” The topic is an example of an interesting question about life or society that can best be explored by interdisciplinary study as characterized by the science, humanities and society minor, he added.

Discussion participants are Midori Albert, associate professor of anthropology; Tim Ballard, associate professor of biological sciences; Gregory Bechtel, professor of nursing; Kathleen Berkeley, professor of history; Carrie Clements, assistant professor of psychology; Elizabeth Ervin, director of UNCW’s Women’s Resource Center; Donald Furst, professor of art; Tommy Macon, assistant professor of theatre; Maurice Martinez, professor of specialty studies; Sue Richardson, lecturer in film studies; Oliver Speck, assistant professor in foreign languages and literatures; and Patricia Turrisi, director of the Center for Teaching Excellence.

The UNCW Science, Humanities and Society Program, the Center Teaching Excellence and the Office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences are cosponsors of this free, public event. Refreshments will be served.



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For more information, contact Dr. McCarthy at 910/962-3313 or e-mail mccarthyw@uncwil.edu.