James Farrell, professor of history, American studies, environmental studies and American conversations at St. Olaf College, will visit Central on November 15.
Farrell, author of “The Nature of College: Campus Culture, Consumer Culture and the Environment,” will speak about his book, which examines everyday life on college campuses. He looks at the way college students act and why it matters. Farrell observes the culture of college—everything from classes, parties, shopping and Facebook—noting that these are shaped by the environmental values of American culture. He aims to show the ways in which mindfulness and practical idealism can make a difference in the environmental history of the planet.
Farrell is active in sustainability work as a member of St. Olaf’s Sustainability Task Force. He is also involved in the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. He continues to speak in and facilitate workshops across the Midwest.
Farrell’s other books include “Inventing the American Way of Death 1830-1920,” “The Nuclear Devil’s Dictionary” and “One Nation Under Goods: Malls and the Seductions of American Shopping.”
Farrell will host a convocation at 11 a.m. in Douwstra Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.
