MWSU College of Liberal Arts to host panel on political polarization

Oct. 11, 2024-Missouri Western State University's College of Liberal Arts will host a panel discussion on political polarization at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21 at the East Hills Library, 502 N. Woodbine, in the Theater Room.

The free event, titled "Donkeys, Elephants, and All the Drama: Political Polarization in the United States," is designed to connect the St. Joseph community to Missouri Western while providing a public service in the days before the election.

The panel will explore how the liberal arts can help people understand aspects of polarization through the following frameworks:

• History of Political Polarization: Dr. Dominic DeBrincat, Social Sciences and Humanities and School of Fine Arts Chair
• Rhetoric of Polarization: Dr. David McMahan, Department of Communication Chair
• Social Dynamics of Polarization, Dr. Kelly Henry, Department of Psychology Chair
• Contemporary Polarized Landscape, Dr. Ed Taylor, Interim Assistant Dean, College of Liberal Arts

Each panelist will briefly present on their topic with time for discussion and audience questions to follow. All members of the Saint Joseph community are invited to join the conversation exploring how individuals' choices can help find the lost middle of the American political landscape.

Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit missouriwestern.edu.