We like to think of ourselves as world leaders in the political, diplomatic, and economic senses, but in truth, we are simply a part of a larger whole in an international culture. Americans need to know the world a little better, without losing their connections to home. Engaging Worlds, the Academic Salons theme for the next three years, seeks to answer questions such as, What does it mean to live in the world in the broadest senses—physically, geographically, intellectually, culturally, linguistically, and politically? How do we educate students to be responsible worldly people whose work is expansive in outlook, tolerant, and open-minded while at the same time intellectually engaged and socially aware?

This year, Academic Salons shifts the query from human interaction to focus on the interaction of humans with the natural world.  “Nature” in this context is broadly defined to include the range of disciplines taught at Seattle University: the sciences—biology; chemistry; civil, environmental and mechanical engineering; environmental science; computer science; mathematics; medical sciences; nursing; and physics—business and economics education, fine arts, humanities, law, social sciences, and theology.  Human interaction with nature raises a host of important and often controversial issues that span political, cultural, linguistic, and religious borders including, but by no means limited to, global warming, sustainable agriculture, population control, ethical stewardship of the land, pollution, epidemiology, access to health care resources, global health, agribusiness, resource economics, and sustainable engineering projects.

We will engage the rich voices and cultures of Seattle and the Puget Sound area—Native American, Asian, European, South and Central American, African American—and the world beyond the Pacific Northwest in a conversation with faculty, staff, and students from International Studies, Asian Studies, Global African Studies, Latin American Studies, International Business, Xavier House, the International Student Center, Study Abroad programs, student clubs and organizations.



SU Students discuss this year's academic theme with their own set of innovative programming. Join us!

The Salons are proud to be in their fourth year at SU, a continuing tradition offering a year-long discussion on a focused theme.