SFCC's PTK Holds Seminar Series

South Florida Community College's Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) chapter will hold the PTK 2008 Honors Seminar Series, "The Paradox of Affluence: Choices, Challenges, and Consequences," during the fall 2008 term. This series of four lectures will be broadcast live via satellite to SFCC as well as college campuses across the nation. The lectures are open to students and the public, and there is no charge to attend.

According to Avner Offer, professor of economic history at Oxford University, the paradox of affluence is "richer is not (much) better." The series will discuss the role affluence plays in today's society.

The first seminar, "Doctors without Borders-North America," presented by Dr. Richard Heinzl, will be broadcast Tuesday, Sept. 23, 7:30 p.m., Building B, Room 111, Highlands campus, Avon Park. Future seminar topics will be "Archaeological Evidence for the Origin of Affluence presented by Dr. Michael Galaty, "The Geography of Bliss" presented by Eric Weiner, and "The World Without Us" presented by Alan Weisman.

The series is a component of the PTK Five-Star program. PTK is the International Honor Society of the two-year college.

For more information on these seminars, contact Elizabeth Broen, SFCC history instructor, at 863-784-7141.

In conjunction with the series, the SFCC Honors Program will offer an Honors Interdisciplinary Seminar, "The Paradox of Affluence." The seminar will discuss topics including current economic policy, religion, global warming, health care, happiness, and consumerism and their relationships with affluence. This three-credit seminar is open to honors students. Students not enrolled in the Honors Program must receive special permission from the instructor to enroll in this seminar.

SFCC's Honor Program offers students intellectual development, cultural enrichment, smaller classes, scholarship opportunities including the Edward K. Roberts Book Scholarship, and special recognition at the graduation ceremony as well as an Honors endorsement on their associate of arts degree and transcript. For more information about SFCC's Honors Program, contact Dr. Charlotte Pressler, director, SFCC Honors Program, and professor, English and Humanities, at 863-784-7247.