The CONVERSATIONS CD
An Index of Content
The Conversations CD is a multimedia computer CD that can be explored "piecemeal" through an interactive menu system. The menus show every element of any selected section so students can quickly navigate to videos or articles that interest them. The following is a complete index of the elements in Conversations under their respective topics.
Academic Success
Introduction
Video
Four
students ask how they can achieve success in school.
What are the two major differences between “A” and “C” students? Also – how maximizing your in-class learning time can affect your grades.
Learning
Strategies #2 Video
Pitfalls
of procrastination; treating college like an 8 to 5 job.
Article
Preliminary test taking; going to class and staying current; review, review, review.
How
Damian Really Made It Thru Harvard Video
Learn
a Samoan War Dance.
Landing a Job
The
Right Job Video
Elsa
Dangler, HR specialist at Interstate Batteries, on the essentials of what
to do and what not to do in applying for a job.
Secrets
of a Successful Interview
Lance Lanier of Chik-fil-A describes what he looks for in applicants as
staff selection manager at their Atlanta headquarters.
Doug Suchecki, corporate recruiter for a San Diego-based firm, details the importance of attendance, attitude and activity among successful employees.
Our
Learning Increases After College
Jennifer DeVries, project manager for an E-learning division of a Fortune
100 company, stresses the importance personally and professionally of
being a lifetime learner.
Higher
Goal Than Harvard Video
Robert Kiely, Loker Professor of English, describes those who worship
success at Harvard.
Success After College
Introduction
Video
Dr.
Daniel Hastings of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology urges students
determine values before graduating.
Kathy Trocolli, Cal Berkeley grad and Dove award-winning singer, describes her personal journey through musical fame and battles with bulimia.
Successful
People Do
Brian Tracy, corporate performance expert, describes the qualities that
cause people to be successful – how they use their time, their personal
vision.
I
am James Brown
CoHost of Fox Sports talks of life after Harvard, and how getting cut
by the Atlanta Hawks taught him a valuable lesson.
Can
Your Car Do This Video
Whimsical commercial on the “power” of a car battery.
Interstate Batteries chairman describes his entry into the business and the lessons his mentor taught him about work and treating people fairly.
Student describes her need for morals and having something to take from college.
Tolerance and Racism
Dr. Jay Budziszewski of the University of Texas, Austin poses several questions concerning ideas about tolerance that invite students to explore the section.
Sociologist George Yancey details why racism exists in America –even among those of us who deplore racism in its overt forms.
Yancey describes his own experience in dating a white coed – and the reaction of her otherwise open-minded mother.
Philosopher Jay Budziszewski says we don’t suspend judging between good and evil.
Student asks how Christians can claim to be both loving and the sole purveyors of religious truth.
How Branch Richey’s Christian faith helped him hire Robinson and break the race barrier.
Truth claims can lead to freedom, while tolerance, when enforced, can lead to oppression.
LSU sociologist describes his personal journey of diversity.
Students resist having others impose their ideas upon them.
Dr. Rosalind Picard of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology encourages viewers to avoid discounting an idea simply because others have made it look bad.
Music and the Arts
Boston Symphony trombonist talks about having a “keyhole into heaven” when everything goes right in a performance.
Doug Yeo tells why is music unique among the arts, and why does it hold such power over us?
Painter Makoto Fujimura sees art as a potential language that speaks to today’s world.
Too often modern art focuses on the subject and misses the transcendent.
Professor of music theory denotes why music affects our thoughts, feelings and perspective.
Interview with Anthony Spain, conductor of Northwest Symphony Orchestra.
Music is a perfection that is possible and knowable, according to U of Washington music professor.
Music is a perfection that is possible and knowable, according to U of Washington music professor.
When Life Hurts
Dr. William Lane Craig poses some questions and possibilities for answers to the problem of pain and suffering.
There are some things in life we never plan to face. Dr. Mitch Land, professor of journalism, relates his journey from deep pain to inexplicable joy.
If God could stop bad things from happening, and doesn’t --ism’t He guilty of failure to render aid?
USC philosopher Dallas Willard discusses why God might allow evil and suffering to exist.
“I don’t have an answer to evil’s existence, but I have hope.”
Dr. Michael Horner discusses evil. Unless someone can prove that the existence of evil is necessarily incompatible with a good God, there may be a reason for it.
For most people the problem of evil is not an intellectual issue but an emotional one.
A University of Texas, Austin philosopher imagines a universe without pain, then explores why John Donne called pain “the door of wisdom.”
The things we care most about in life are the things we have suffered for.
British physician faces suffering on a personal level when he is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Phillip Yancey discovers the value of pain while documenting life at a Lousiana leprosarium.
Students on Duke University campus describe their worst fears.
Does Science Preclude Faith?
Dr. Rosalind Picard of M.I.T. describes the kind of God that scientists of faith believe in.
Either the universe began at one time, or it has always existed; lecture by Head of Department of History and Philosophy of Religion, University of London.
Two scientists discuss their work, their faith, and how science can’t disprove religions viewpoints.
If physical events at the quantum level do not have well-defined chains of cause and effect, the universe appears to be random. Harvard plasma physicist.
Chemist critiques the underlying assumption of Hawking’s latest book.
Mechanical Engineering professor describes how a finely tuned universe is able to sustain life.
Removing emotions from a person doesn’t make them more rational, but less rational.
Will machines ever feel emotion? M.I.T.’s Media Lab professor examines what makes us truly human.
A journey through history reveals some startling religious viewpoints among scientists.
The Church wasn’t initially opposed to Galileo’s views; religion is not the enemy of science today.
Georgetown’s Daniel Robinson offers an introductory essay to papers presented at an AI conference at Yale.
A graduate student questions the idea of a designed universe.
University of Texas philosopher discusses how physics is reviving the argument from design: Do anthropic coincidences require an explanation?
Transcript of a Q & A session at Princeton on evidence for a designed universe.
An M.I.T. astrophysicist speculates on the existence of beauty in the universe.
Relationships
A student asks questions about relationships.
Sorority co-ed recounts childhood with drug addicted mother and abusive stepfather.
Our culture inverts the true relationship between sex and intimacy, claiming sex can lead to intimacy.
Can’t live with her. Can’t live without her. Understanding the economics of relationships.
Real life story of a Hope Floats divorcee who endures scarcity to achieve academic and financial success, and discovers herself as well as what to look for in a lasting marriage.
“He was wealthy and good looking. Fortunately for me, I didn’t marry him.”
Psychologist Henry Clouds tells why we cause much of our pain because of the people we choose.
Ten reasons why a former player is now waiting until marriage to have sex.
Are you developing real relationships where you can be yourself?
Spirituality and Connectedness
Dr. William Lane Craig asks questions about the differences between spirituality and religion and invites readers to explore various religions for elements of truth.
If Christianity is the right way, what does that say about the rest of the world?
How do you distinguish between a good set of basic beliefs and a poor one?
Professor Dr. Mary Poplin recounts her personal journey through men, drugs and world view philosophies.
Ever wondered what it would be like to be a secret agent--to have a double life in college? This professor did it all.
Survey of world religions and their quest for an Ultimate Reality.
Flash
Presentation
God’s quest for a relationship with us and our betrayal of Him.
Can’t we just take what we want from all the major religions and create our own?
Theologians discuss the historicity of the New Testament documents.
M.I.T. professor explains her personal step of faith.
Philosopher tells of his personal journey into and out of nihilism.
Boston Symphony member tells of the aching hole inside his life.
A sociologist discounts the view that Christianity is only for Caucasians.
Dr. Walter Bradley concludes the CD with a short explanation of his journey that led to spiritual faith in God. He then encourages students to continue their own journey, perhaps to a similar conclusion.