Author, professor Harry Lewis to explore

Author, professor Harry Lewis to explore ‘What’s so hard about general education?’

FROM RICE NEWS STAFF REPORTS

Author and professor Harry Lewis will examine “What’s So Hard About General Education?” at a 3 p.m. lecture Saturday, Oct. 21, at the Ralph S. O’Connor House.

Lewis, the Gordon McKay Professor of Computer Science at Harvard, is the author of the recently published book “Excellence Without a Soul: How a Great University Forgot Education.” In the book, he explores the answer to the question posed in his lecture title and concludes, “There is no societal consensus on the purpose of undergraduate education, except that everyone needs to have it.”

Although his focus is on Harvard, his thoughts and questions are relevant to education in general. He finds his audiences erupt in discussion spontaneously, and he hopes his lecture will encourage dialogue among faculty, students, alumni and others engaged in pursuing the potential benefits of questioning how the goals of education are defined and pursued.

Lewis’ book will be available for purchase at the lecture, and he will sign copies.

R.S.V.P.s are requested. E-mail Priscilla Huston, Rice Phi Beta Kappa secretary, at <pbk@rice.edu>.

This event has been made possible by the Rice Phi Beta Kappa (Texas Beta) Chapter and the Dean of Undergraduates.