A panel discussion hosted by the Philomathean Society and PASA:

Despite recent pan-continental political shifts and economic reforms, Africa enters 2012 with many of the world’s poorest countries and severest developmental obstacles. Although rich in natural and human resources, the continent is burdened by widespread economic inequality and the social scars of a colonial past. High child mortality, poor education systems, and endemic diseases threaten Africa’s future progress. How can African markets liberalize and reduce their dependence on foreign aid? How can health care services and education be more effectively deployed to combat malaria and HIV/AIDS and their associated disastrous economic and social consequences? How can African governments reduce poverty, corruption, and the political marginalization of large parts of their respective populations? How can Africa modernize its economy and prevent its exclusion from the information revolution? Please join Professor Lee Cassanelli, Professor Cheikh Anta Babou, Dr. Marton Markovits, and the Philomathean Society for a discussion considering what tools and strategies Africa, as a continent, needs in order to combat the intertwined economic, political, social, and health problems it faces in the 21st century.

Self Control and Success

Thursday, Feb 2, 6pm
400 College Hall, The Philomathean Society
Professor Angela Duckworth

What do certain childhood traits say about our future success as adults? Self-control, or the extent to which we can deny our momentary desires, is a characteristic researched extensively in religion, philosophy, and lately psychology. In predicting adulthood success, defined by factors as disparate as income to physical and mental health, self-control appears to be as strong a predictor as general intelligence. Please join us for a lecture with Dr. Angela Duckworth, an Assistant Professor of Psychology, to discuss self-control in children. 

Dr. Angela Duckworth studies how we achieve professional and academic success. Her specific research interests include grit, or perseverance and sustained interest in long-term goals, and self-control.