Amherst College

November 4, 2008 e-News

It is critical that the United States develop a counter-strategy to the “social power” diplomacy deployed by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and his government, but a hard-line response—such as military or economic aggression—is most certainly not the answer to Chavez’s rhetoric, Javier Corrales, professor of political science, told a House Committee on Foreign Affairs subcommittee recently.

November 4, 2008 e-News

Built in 1870 out of local stone, Stearns Steeple and its nine bells are all that remain of the College Church. Samuel Masinter ’04 joins Aaron Hayden for a climb into the belfry to find out why the steeple still stands.

November 4, 2008 e-News

Anthony W. Marx discusses the current economic conditions and the measures the college is taking in response. 

November 4, 2008 e-News

Join us for Homecoming, Nov. 7 to 9, and take part in the weekend’s many lectures, programs, tours and activities, including a discussion with President Marx in Johnson Chapel on Nov. 8 at 10 a.m. (Submit your question online) Register now and view the full schedule of events.

November 4, 2008 e-News

Henry Ward Beecher often preached that “it is better to do good, than to be good.” What does he mean? Is he right? Join the Amherst Reads discussion, read a review of Applegate’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book, and listen to a conversation between the author and David Reynolds ’70, a historian and literary critic.

October 7, 2008 e-News

It’s a new academic year, which means new undergraduates with new attitudes and aptitudes about technology and, of course, new toys. Peter Schilling, director of IT at the college, provided a Harper’s Magazine-inspired snapshot of how Amherst undergraduates use technology that made headlines in The Chronicle of Higher Education and on Salon.com and CNET.com, among other outlets.

October 7, 2008 e-News

Talk about timing: Adam Honig, an expert on financial crises in developing countries, is teaching a seminar on that very topic this semester. The economics professor shares his thoughts on the crisis and his course. 

October 7, 2008 e-News

Thomas Dumm has just published Loneliness as a Way of Life, an examination of what he calls “modern loneliness,” “loneliness that has permeated the modern world.” He will be a featured author on Amherst Reads.

October 7, 2008 e-News

“We are witnessing a contest for control of the story between the traditional news media, new sources of news and information, the campaigns themselves, special interests and interested and often anonymous parties,” Philip Bennett, managing editor of The Washington Post, told an engaged Amherst crowd at the Octagon on Oct. 1. Read more or listen to Bennett’s talk, which was sponsored by the Victor S. Johnson Lectureship Fund.

October 7, 2008 e-News

There may be less than a month left in the neck-and-neck race to the White House, but there is plenty left to say about the candidates, their campaigns and their policies. Join the Political Science Department’s Presidential Election Forum to speak your mind, discuss the presidential and vice-presidential debates and get involved in a campus-wide dialogue about the election. All alumni, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate.