Social Sciences and Humanities will host a public, four-part, academic symposium throughout the semester to present the research of professors from Francis Marion University.

Dr. George Harding, III, Professor of German and Coordinator of Modern Languages-German Program, said that the symposium allows professors to present the results of their studies to students, faculty and staff as well as the general public.

“It’s not so much an outreach to the community but so far it has been more of an outreach across the campus,” Harding said. “The topics are scholastic enough to be presented at an institution of higher learning and also informative to general public.”

The events begin with socializing and light refreshments before the speaker is introduced to deliver his or her topic and followed by a question-and-answer session.

The next symposium will be held on Sept. 13 when Harding will talk about German Academies and the relationship between the academies to American education, South Carolina and FMU specifically.

The final two are scheduled for Oct. 4 with Assistant Professor of History Dr. Alena Eskridge-Kosmach, and Nov. 1 with Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies Dr. Mark Blackwell, presenting.

Each of the speakers is chosen by a steering committee that consists of eight professors from across multiple disciplines.

“We try to have a lot of diversity,” Harding said. “We encourage faculty to present and so far we have been fortunate and have had some very good presentations.”

Provost Dr. Richard Chapman said that the Office of the Provost contributes a small amount of financial support to the program in recognition of the success within and contribution to FMU.

“I think the Social Sciences and Humanities Symposium is a great opportunity for faculty here at the university to present the results of their research to their colleagues and to other interested persons,” Chapman said. “The provost’s office has always been enthusiastic in support of those activities and the similar Science Symposium.”

The talks are recorded and archived. They usually last between 25 and 45 minutes. The symposium is held in FH 222A, which provides the equipment for “smart” presentations (Power-Point, projection screen, etc).

Harding’s presentation will be held on Sept. 13 from 3:45 p.m. to 5 p.m.