This page is no longer being updated and remains online for informational and historical purposes only. The information is accurate as of the last page update.
For questions about page contents, contact the Communications Division.
The ways in which society views and punishes different types of sexually-based crimes will be the McKelvy House Scholars topic of dinner discussion Oct. 4.
The meal will begin at 6 p.m. at McKelvy House, 200 High Street. Marquis Scholar Jaclyn Smith ’07(Saugus, Calif.), a double major in psychology and English, will lead the discussion at 6:30 p.m.
Smith’s discussion will attempt to answer the question, “Which is worse in our society: a murderer or a sex offender?”
She asks, “Why do we glorify murderers in movies, on the news, in video games, and in our music, but condemn sex offenders? Is the social stigma attached to crimes such as molestation justified, or are our laws and opinions of these criminals too harsh?”
The roots of society’s opinions about sex offenders will be explored, as well as why certain criminal acts, such as child molestation, receive such high levels of punishment.
“Mainly, why are we, as a culture, so compelled yet repulsed by these acts of sexual transgression?” she asks.
Since 1962, the McKelvy House Scholars program has brought together Lafayette students with a wide range of majors and interests to reside in a historic off-campus house and share in intellectual and social activities. Weekly Sunday, and occasional Wednesday, dinner discussions that engage the students in debate and exchange of ideas are the hallmark of the program. Most members also contribute to the annual McKelvy Papers, written on a topic of each person’s choice. McKelvy Scholars participate in activities together such as field trips to plays, concerts, and exhibits, and sponsor events for the campus as well.
Previous discussions:
Sept. 27 – Geographic Illiteracy
Sept. 20 – Performance Enhancing Drugs
Last semester’s discussions:
April 30 – Immigration
April 23 – Sports
April 9 – Infinity
April 2 – Transhumanism
March 26 – Meaning of Life
March 5 – Fashion as Expression of Identity
Feb.19 – Social Darwinism
Feb.12 – Stereotypes
Feb. 5 – Reading as a Virtue