Environmental Ethics and Conservation
Philosophy Slam Ramesh Buch, North Florida Land Trust
Philosophically, environmental conservation is far from a partisan issue, and often more conservative than many realize. Buch, leading the North Florida Land Trust, has helped preserve hundreds of thousands of acres across Florida. He joined the organization in 2021 after 36 years protecting the state’ s landscapes in government service and has completed 143,000 acres of conservation transactions valued at $ 375 million. Join us for environmental discussions with Buch, a trained facilitator, negotiator, and author, including his recent Common Ground: A Land Conservation Guide for Local Governments.
Tuesday, February 9 at 7:30 PM RIVER HOUSE
11th Annual Walter Visiting Writer Series
Dr. Khadijah Queen
Through the generosity of Ralph and Anina Walter, the School of Fine Arts and Humanities welcomes a nationally renowned author to Jacksonville University each year. The series highlights writers across genres, with recent guests including Mat Johnson, Eula Biss, Dan Chaon, and Erin Belieu. Each visit culminates in a public reading with a catered reception, author Q & A, and book signing. This year’ s writer is Khadijah Queen, Ph. D., praised as“ riveting” by the Harvard Review. She has earned major honors, including the William Carlos Williams Award( 2020) and the Cy Twombly Award for Poetry( 2025). Across eight books of poetry, hybrid prose, and nonfiction, her work is known for its unflinching authenticity. Her latest book, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: A Veteran’ s Memoir( 2025), reflects on her service in the U. S. Navy and examines identity, loyalty, and life at sea.
Wednesday, February 10 at 5:30 PM RIVER HOUSE
FEB
Human Relationships in an Age of AI: A Screening and Discussion of the Film Her( 2013)
On-The-Big-Screen Series, Dr. Joana Owens, Professor of Humanities
In the“ near future” of this critically acclaimed film written and directed by Spike Jonze, people form close emotional relationships with an advanced computer operating system. With today’ s chatbots powered by generative AI— capable of mimicking nearly any mode of human communication, including those marketed as“ companions”— has Jonze’ s imagined future already arrived, or do meaningful differences remain between his premise and our cultural moment? After the screening, join us for a conversation about this thought‐provoking film and its exploration of intimacy in an age of technology. NOTE: Her is rated R for sexual content, language, and brief graphic nudity.
Thursday, February 11 Introduction and Movie Screening at 6:00 PM Talk Back at 8:15 PM GOODING AUDITORIUM