Flagler Community Lecture Series

Flagler College's 2015 Community Lecture Series continues on Tuesday, February 17, 2015, with a talk about how Europeans struggled to make sense of their own long-held political philosophies when faced with the completely new experiences of indigenous people in the New World. Dr. Art Vanden Houten, Flagler College associate professor of Political Science, will lead the discussion.

"For thousands of years, Europeans had thought and written about human nature, the origin of societies, and the nature of just political and social institutions," Vanden Houten remarks. "These reflections had always been rooted in the experience of particular thinkers, their own cultural landscape, and what little they knew about other societies."

When Europeans were first exposed to the radically different social, political and spiritual thought of the people of the New World, their own ideas and philosophies were badly shaken. Vanden Houten will discuss the ways in which Europeans sought to integrate these new philosophies over the next two centuries.

Vanden Houten earned his Ph.D. in Political Science and his M.A. in International Relations from the University of South Carolina. He holds a B.A. in Economics from Muhlenberg College. He has taught at Flagler College since 1997 and is known for his active service to the college community.

The Flagler College Community Lecture Series began in 2007 to offer the St. Augustine community an opportunity to explore topics covering arts, religion, politics, culture, history, economics and more with experts on the Flagler College faculty. Lectures take place monthly, last approximately one hour, and are followed by a coffee and pastry reception.

With the 450th Commemoration events occurring this year, the Community Lecture Series will focus throughout 2015 on the theme: Exploration: Passions, Implications and Reflections. 

Admission: $5 per lecture; $15 for four lectures in the series. Space is limited, so reservations are required; please call (904) 826-8617 to make reservations.

When? Tuesday, February 17, 2015, at 10 a.m.

Where? The Flagler Room at Flagler College is located at 74 King Street.

For more information, call (904) 826-8617 or visit here.