WSCC Humankind series to hold panel discussion.

WSCC Humankind series to hold panel discussion.

VICTORY TOWNSHIP – The final fall semester presentation in West Shore Community College’s Humankind series will feature a panel discussion, by several WSCC faculty members, of the best-selling book “Before We Were Yours,” by Lisa Wingate. The event will take place on Monday, Nov. 23, beginning at 7 p.m., via the online conferencing platform Zoom.

The presentation, which is part of a multi-year series which explores the idea of what it means to be human, is free and open to the public. A link to the Zoom meeting can be found at humankindwscc.org and at https://zoom.us/j/93480741998?pwd=QWg5dDVhNzFLM1VhL0tsU2VvWUNaQT09

“More than one student has commented they simply could not put this book down! It’s a real page-turner,” said Professor of History and Political Science, Mike Nagle. “The book centers upon a main character who watches powerlessly as a scandalous orphanage adopts away her four siblings.”

“Although the book is fiction,” Nagle continued, “It is based upon the real-life scandals involving Georgia Tann, who operated an adoption agency in Tennessee for years that kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families. This is a story that makes for some great discussions in class.”

Several WSCC faculty have adopted the book as a common read in their courses to better explore issues such as the institutional mistreatment of children, the rights of children vis á vis parents, as well as the impact of family separation and trauma on children.

The book discussion was chosen as part of the series, which this year is focusing on the British Isles, as the institutional abuse practiced historically in the British Isles, particularly against Irish families, will be a point of focus for the discussion.

Panel members for the presentation include Sèan Henne, professor of English and education; Jessica Houser, professor of psychology; Lisa Morley, professor of early childhood education and child development; Mike Nagle, professor of history and political science; and Dr. Erwin Selimos, associate professor of sociology. Each participant will discuss the book from the perspective of their academic discipline.

For more information, contact Dr. Matt Sanderson, chair of the Humankind series at 231-843-5937 and mwsanderson@westshore.edu

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