Arts & Sciences

Who were the Pilgrims? Who were the Puritans? And how did they view Native Americans? As the annual Thanksgiving holiday approaches, Abram Van Engen, PhD, assistant professor of English in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, discusses the beliefs of the two groups, the differences between them and the theology of sympathy.

Cindy Brantmeier, PhD, chair of the Department of Education in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis and principal investigator in the Language Research Laboratory, provides free professional development to teachers at St. Louis Public School District’s Oak Hill Elementary, where half of all students are learning English. The results are amazing: After posting some of the region’s lowest test scores in language arts, Oak Hill students increased their school’s score by 20 points and it is now fully accredited.

Chamber Project STL will present the world premiere of “Chamber Études,” a lighthearted new composition by WashU composer Christopher Stark, Nov. 21 in the 560 Music Center.

Four distinguished classics scholars will gather in Umrath Lounge at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, for “Texts and Contexts: A Symposium to Honor Robert Lamberton and Susan Rotroff.”

Genetic variation within the endocannabinoid system may explain why some survivors of childhood adversity go on to become dependent on marijuana, while others are able to use marijuana without problems, suggests new research from Washington University in St. Louis.

Members of the St. Louis Symphony will join musicians from the Department of Music in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis for “Music of the Great War” Nov. 16 in the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum.

​Buried in the cornerstone of  Gary M. Sumers Recreation Center, a time capsule placed Nov. 7 contains a​ 2015 course catalog; a piece of the Francis Gym floor; an original Red Alert shirt; and a letter from Athletic Director Emeritus John Schael to the athletic director of 2065.

Alceste is allergic to flattery, fakery and sycophants. But how much honesty is too much? In “The Misanthrope,” the great French playwright Molière examines the line between diplomacy and deception, between truth-telling and cruelty.

Grammy-winning soprano Estelí Gomez (pictured) and renowned clarinetist Eric Hoeprich will join professor of music Seth Carlin Nov. 15 for Washington University’s 2015 Liederabend.

In 1972, Washington University launched one of the nation’s first academic programs in women’s studies. This fall, Arts & Sciences celebrates a new milestone as Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies becomes a full department.