Robert Putnam, the Malkin Professor of Public Policy at Harvard University, will present the Governor’s Lecture in the Humanities as part of the E.N. Thompson Lecture series. His presentation, “American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us”, will be simulcast at Hastings College on Tuesday, October 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the lower level of the Wilson Center (714 E. 9th St.) The event is free and open to the public.
In 2010, Putnam and David Campbell of the University of Notre Dame wrote about role of religion in public life. This lecture will draw upon that research and how, in recent decades the religious landscape in the U.S. has changed.
The E.N. Thompson lecture series, which will focus on religion, rights and politics throughout the 2012-2013 academic year, is named in honor of E.N. “Jack” Thompson, who served as president of the Cooper Foundation from 1964 to 1990 and as its chairman from 1990 until his death in 2002. Thompson established the series to promote better understanding of world events and issues for all Nebraskans.
The simulcasts, sponsored by the Nebraska Humanities Council and colleges and universities across the state, allow more Nebraskans to have the opportunity to benefit from outstanding speakers and community discussion. Details about the E.N. Thompson Forum are available at http://enthompson.unl.edu.
