Washington, D.C., government gridlock contrasts to natural Icelandic life in College's speaker series

Elizabethtown's Presidential Lectures open campus to community

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Presidential Community Enrichment Series

ELIZABETHTOWN, PA (02/11/2014)(readMedia)-- Considering the havoc created in Washington, D.C., by last year's governmental shutdown, one has to consider the purpose of gridlock and its impact on the bigger picture.

On Tuesday, Feb. 18, Dr. Kyle C. Kopko, assistant professor of political science and director of the pre-law program and legal studies at Elizabethtown College, discusses the shutdown, the gridlock and polarization. Focusing on reasons why it happened-changes in elections, fewer Southern Democrats, more money in the political system-he talks about what it all means for future partisan showdowns and future elections.

"Government Shutdowns and Polarizing Politics: Is this the New Normal in Washington?" is presented as part of the College's Presidential Community Enrichment Series, which offers lifelong learning opportunities in a collegiate environment to members of the local community. Held in the Susquehanna Room of the College's Myer Hall, the events begin with lunch at noon and are followed by a brief talk. Audience members are encouraged to ask questions.

At the end of the month, Matt Willen, a professor in the English Department at Elizabethtown College, presents "Life on the Edge of the World: The Westfjords of Iceland."

With firsthand knowledge of the region, Willen shares photographs, stories, music and discussion. His focus for the Wednesday, March 26, event is on the nature of life in the area and its natural history, economy and social structure. He'll explore how people live well on comparatively little.

Between June 2008 and October 2010, Willen made nine trips to the Westfjords to document life in this remote corner of the world. Located in the extreme northwest of Iceland, the Westfjords (an area about the size of Rhode Island) is home to around 7,300 people who live in about dozen small communities situated on the edge of the Arctic Ocean and the Greenland Strait.

Willen is an avid photographer and, seeking out cold and remote regions, an avid traveler. He has exhibited his photographs at regional galleries and shows, as well as in Iceland.

Cost of the Presidential Community Enrichment Series and lunch is $10. Registration is required. For additional questions about the programming, contact Lisa Wolfe at 717-361-1419 or wolfel@etown.edu.

Read about additional events at Elizabethtown College.

Elizabethtown College, located in historic Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is a private coed institution offering more than four dozen liberal arts, fine and performing arts, science and engineering, business, communications and education degrees. Learn more: http://www.etown.edu/about/

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