Poynter Center Newsletter

Number 22, Spring 1999

Contents

Religious liberty in the new millennium

“America’s great experiment in religious liberty is in a state of flux, if not a state of turmoil,” Conkle said.  “Marking the beginning of the new millennium, this conference addressed a variety of issues relating to the history of religious liberty in the United States, its contemporary condition, and the how our understanding of religious liberty might evolve in the future.  The questions that confront us are controversial, and we had a lively exchange of competing views.”

The event  began at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 9, with welcoming remarks by Alfred C. Aman, Dean, School of Law, and David H. Smith, Director, Poynter Center.

Presenters and their topics were:

• Daniel O. Conkle, Professor of Law, Harry T. Ice Faculty Fellow, Nelson Poynter Senior Scholar,  and Adjunct Professor of Religious Studies, Indiana University, “The Path of American Religious Liberty: From the Original Theology to Formal Neutrality and an Uncertain Future”
• Stephen J. Stein, Chancellors’ Professor of Religious Studies and Adjunct Professor of History, Indiana University, “Religion/Religions in the United States: Changing Perspectives and Prospects”
• Steven D. Smith, Robert and Marian Short Professor, Notre Dame Law School, “Blooming Confusion: Madison’s Mixed Legacy”
• Martha McCarthy, Chancellors’ Professor and Chair, Educational Leadership Program, Indiana University, “Religion and Education: Whither the Establishment Clause?”
• Laura S. Underkuffler, Professor of Law, Duke University School of Law, “Vouchers and Beyond: The Individual as Causative Agent in First Amendment Jurisprudence”
• Scott C. Idleman, Assistant Professor of Law, Marquette University, “Tort Liability, Religious Entities, and the Decline of Constitutional Protection”
• William P. Marshall, Visiting Professor of Law, Northwestern University, “What is the Matter With Equality?”
• Robert Audi, Charles J. Mach Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, “Religious Values, Political Action, and Civic Discourse”
• Michael J. Perry, Galen J. Roush Professor of Law, Case Western Reserve University, “Religion, Politics, and the Constitution: Fin de Siècle Notes”

Conference proceedings will be published by the Indiana Law Journal this winter.

“Religious Liberty at the Dawn of a New Millennium” grew from the Poynter Center’s Project on Religious Liberty.  For two years, Dan Conkle  convened a seminar comprising IU faculty, members of the clergy and others, who met for guided discussion of selected readings.  Seminar participants included James Ackerman, Religious Studies; The Rev.  Philip A. Amerson, First Methodist Church; The Rev. Bryon C. Bangert, First Presbyterian Church; Thomas C. Bigley, Jr., Sharpnack, Bigley, David and Rumple; David Boeyink, Journalism; Charlene Brown, Journalism/Honors; Kevin Brown, Law; Daniel Cattau, Journalism; Catharine Cookson, Religious Studies; Judith L. Failer, Political Science; Russell Hanson, Political Science; Judge Marc R. Kellams, Monroe County Circuit Court; Martha McCarthy, Education;  Ann Mongoven, Religious Studies;  Albert Ruesink, Biology; Thomas Schwandt, Education; David H. Smith, Religious Studies/Poynter Center; Stephen J. Stein, Religious Studies;  William Wiggins, Jr., Afro-American Studies; Satvinder Juss, Law;  Susan Williams, Law; James Wood, Sociology; The Rev. Richard F. Zawistoski, Lutheran Campus Ministry; The Rev. Jimmy Moore, First Methodist Church; and Nancy Reynolds, Law.

For more information about the conference, “Religious Liberty at the Dawn of a New Millennium”: Judith Granbois, Poynter Center, 618 East Third Street, Bloomington, IN 47405-3602; 812/855-0261; FAX 855-3315; jgranboi@indiana.edu.

Improving Hoosiers’ care at the end of life

Spearheaded by the Poynter Center and the Indiana Hospice Organization (IHO), the original planning group included Harriet O’Connor, IHO; David H. Smith and Judith Granbois, Poynter Center; William Bruening, Philosophy, Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne; Patricia Darden, Wishard Health Services; Gregory P. Gramelspacher, IU Medical School; Mary Goolik, Visiting Nurses Association of Northwest Indiana; Judy Kratzner, Indiana Association of Area Agencies on Aging; David Wendell Moller, Sociology, IUPUI; Robert Nation, Clarian Health; and Ellen Surburg, Hospice of Bloomington.  The planning group was able to enlist support from many other organizations that are interested in health care and specifically care for the dying.

The group submitted a proposal for a planning grant with three elements: 1) listening to Hoosiers’ accounts of their experiences to define the problems encountered by Indiana citizens in obtaining  care for their loved ones; 2) review of policies and procedures that pose obstacles to excellent care; 3) programs designed to enhance public awareness of the options in care for the dying and to sensitize professional care givers and students in health care to the psychological, social and financial challenges that face the dying.

The initial application  was not funded, but the group plans to submit a proposal in the second cycle of grants in May.   In the meantime, it is trying to broaden its outreach, clarify its objectives and define its focus.  It plans to continue its work with or without RWJ funding.

“A grant is only a means to an end, not an end in itself,” David Smith said. “More significant is our figuring out ways to improve end of life care.”

The Task Force convened in December, February and March in Indianapolis.  The first meeting featured opening remarks by Joseph Kernan, Indiana’s Lieutenant Governor and the husband of honorary chair Maggie Kernan. Discussion groups  addressed a series of questions.  Have we got the issues right?  What specific steps should we take now?  Where can we find personal and financial support?  Who else should be involved?

In February, Judith Granbois reported on regional activities in Fort Wayne and Bloomington, and Ellen Surburg provided an update on a Robert Wood Johnson-sponsored conference in Birmingham, Ala.  She stressed the need to raise public expectations for care at the end of life.

Pat Darden led the group through a survey designed through a grant from the Open Society Institute.  She said that spiritual and religious issues become more important than medical treatment as patients approach death.

The March meeting included presentations by Steve Passik on the Indiana Cancer and AIDS Pain Initiative and updates by Harriet O’Connor on pending legislation.  She also reported that the National Hospice organization is seeking a site for a national research and education institute.  Indianapolis is one of the two finalist sites under consideration; a decision is expected in April.

Three issues of a newsletter have been mailed to participants and others. All interested individuals and organizations are welcome to participate.  For more information: Judith Granbois, Poynter Center, 812/855-0261; jgranboi@indiana.edu.

New staff

Farewell and Godspeed, Beverly

When Beverly took a couple of days’ vacation from time to time, the Center’s efficiency plummeted.  During one recent absence, a distracted Smith Emailed a colleague, “Hell is Beverly on vacation.”  The colleague responded, “If Hell is Beverly on vacation, what is Beverly retired?”  We’re finding out.

Beverly began her 40-some-year career at Indiana University while she was still a student at Bloomington High School, participating in a program that changed her work assignments every few weeks.  When she graduated from high school, she took a job at the Graduate School and later put in a stint at Radio and TV.   She joined the staff of the Poynter Center back in the early ‘70s, soon after its founding in 1972,  and never left – until this January 4.

Beverly is a native and lifelong resident of Monroe County, as is her husband, John.  Their grown-up daughters Lisa and Karin live here; their son Kevin is a student at a Bible college in Stockton, California.

The Davises are ardent campers, although they have abandoned the tent they used when they were first married in favor of a much more comfortably appointed camper.  They frequently join family and friends in expeditions to nearby state parks and other favorite spots throughout Indiana, Kentucky and the Smokies, and the future is likely to include camping trips.

Immediately upon retirement, Beverly began painting the entire interior of her house.  That’s every room.   She likes to paint and, before she retired, often painted a room or two over a weekend, just for fun.  Some speculate that the interior dimensions of the Davises’ home are now measurably smaller than when they first moved in.

Beverly and John like to travel,  and they have taken two trips to Ireland in recent years.  This summer’s agenda calls for a drive to Alaska, where the Davises will cruise up the coast in search of whales and calving icebergs.  The return route may include a stop to mine Salt Lake City’s resources.  Beverly got interested in genealogy at a family reunion; she became curious about the exact lineage of all those cousins.

We had a little send-off for Beverly, featuring cards and a cake, speeches by Smith and others, a delicious cake produced by daughter Lisa and testimonials from fans far  and near who have worked with her through her years at the Poynter Center.  Our initial plan for a retirement gift was a beeper.  However, troubling questions were raised about motives, and we reconsidered.  Still, we are not stranded – the Davises’ telephone number is not unlisted.  Yet.

We have had fairly frequent sightings of Beverly since her retirement.  She has graciously responded to a number of  “Mayday” calls – helping with orientation and training, locating misplaced files and handling various crises from her “executive office” at the end of the table in the seminar room. We expect to keep in touch.

Teaching Research Ethics

After its initial year, TRE was one of five programs featured in a special section on “Conduct in Science” in Science, the flagship journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.  Initially funded by the U. S. Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, TRE is now supported by Indiana University, Michigan State University, The Ohio State University, Texas A&M,  University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign, University of Iowa, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Core workshop faculty are at Indiana University-Bloomington and have been involved with TRE since its inception.  David H. Smith, Director of the Poynter Center and Professor of Religious Studies, will discuss the importance of teaching ethics, provide an overview of ethical theory and discuss issues in nonclinical research with human subjects.  Kenneth D. Pimple, Poynter Center Research Associate and TRE director, will offer presentations on pedagogy and will demonstrate materials developed especially for the project to teach research ethics and assess students’ moral reasoning ability.  Karen M. T. Muskavitch, Assistant Professor and Assistant Scientist, Biology, will demonstrate the use of case studies, discuss selecting and developing cases and explore collegiality and authorship.

Presentations by visiting faculty include “Shaping Scientific Thought: Ambiguities in the Practice of Science,” Frederick Grinnell, Cell Biology and Neuroscience, University of Texas Medical School; “Investigating Allegations of Scientific Misconduct,” C. K. Gunsalus, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign; “Conflicts of Interest in Research,” Edward Goldman, Attorney’s Office, University of Michigan Medical Center; “Using Animal Subjects in Research,” Alan Beck, Veterinary Pathobiology, Purdue University; and “Responsible Data Management,” Brian Yandell, Statistics and Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

A Friday panel will discuss model curricula.

• Erling A. Anderson, Anesthesiology, University of Iowa, will describe “Responsible Conduct of Research,” a one-credit graduate course that is required for all students on NIH research training grants or in the M.D./Ph.D. program, and some students in Medical School sciences.
• William A. T. Clark, Associate Dean of the Graduate School at Ohio State, will describe OSU’s first year of  trying to coordinate efforts to teach  research ethics across that extremely large campus.
• Beth A. Fischer,  Instruction and Learning, University of Pittsburgh, will describe the Survival Skills and Ethics Program, which she co-directs.  It comprises one-day, stand-alone workshops including lectures, discussions, readings, written exercises, and practical experiences to enhance the professional development of graduate and professional students, residents, postdoctoral fellows, junior faculty, and mentors. Topics offered in 1998-1999 include Writing and Defending a Dissertation, Making Oral Presentations, and Job Hunting.
• Sylvia Grider, Anthropology,  Texas A&M, will describe “Anthropological Ethics and Professionalism,” a course for anthropology majors. Topics include Codes of Ethics; Role of Professional Societies;  and Theft/Selling of Artifacts.

APPE convenes eighth Annual Meeting

E. J. Dionne, Jr.,  Washington Post columnist, gave the keynote address, “What’s Public?  What’s Private?  How Do We Know the Difference?”  The annual Ethics Center Colloquium focused on “Starting an Ethics Center and Keeping It Growing.”  The Fifth Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl^SM featured 24 teams of undergraduate students from colleges and universities all over the country, the largest field of competitors to date,  exploring  ethical problems from the classroom to the professions.  This year’s Annual Meeting convened in conjunction with the Communitarian Network’s Communitarian Summit, which met February 27-28.

Keynote speaker E. J. Dionne, Jr. was a reporter for the New York Times for 14 years, serving in Paris, Rome and Beirut.  He joined the Post as a reporter in 1990, covering national politics.  A regular commentator for CNN, he is a frequent guest on PBS, NBC, ABC, CBS and NPR.

Dionne’s best-selling book, Why Americans Hate Politics (Simon & Schuster, 1991) won the Los Angeles Times book prize and was a National Book Award nominee.  His second book, They Only Look Dead: Why Progressives Will Dominate the Next Political Era appeared in February, and he is the editor of Community Works: The Revival of Civil Society in America (Brookings Press, 1998).

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics cosponsored a special roundtable session, a new feature this year.  Panelists discussed  “Using Ethics Across the Curriculum to Promote Undergraduate Moral and Civic Responsibility.”  The panel was convened by Anne Colby, Senior Scholar, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Annual Meeting panel discussions featured “Ethics and Irony: Integrity Standards in the Civil Service, Politics and the Media”; “Privacy, Perjury and the Presidency”; and “The Professional Standards and Values of Ethicists: What Do We Tell Our Students?”

Individual sessions focused on ethical issues in government, medicine, law, architecture, the media, human subjects research and other fields.  Two “Author Meets the Critics” sessions featured James Wallace, University of Illinois, Ethical Norms, Particular Cases, and Michael Davis, Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions, Illinois Institute of Technology, Thinking Like an Engineer.  Participants signed up for Friday and Saturday sessions of Breakfast with an Author.

Information about the Annual Meeting is available on the Association’s  web page at http://php.ucs.indiana.edu/~appe/home.html or by contacting the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics, Indiana University, 618 East Third Street, Bloomington, IN 47405-3602; 812/855-6450; FAX 812/855-3315; appe@indiana.edu.

The latest in monographs

The first is “No Man’s Land”: The Place of Latterday Saints in the Culture Wars by Frederick Mark Gedicks, J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University.

The second monograph is the third and last in a  series that includes essays written by participants in our project on “Religion, Morality and the Professions in America,”  Each monograph begins with an introduction by David H. Smith and Richard B. Miller.  The current publication features two essays: “Christian Pilots on the River of Law,” by Daniel O. Conkle, Professor of Law, Harry T. Ice Faculty Fellow, Nelson Poynter Senior Scholar, Adjunct Professor of Religious Studies, and “Beneath the Robe:  Personal Values and Judicial Ethics” by Louis Newman, Professor of Religious Studies, Carleton College.

The authors and titles of the three earlier monographs in the series on “Religion, Morality and the Professions,”  are:

• “A Search for Meaning in the Media” by David Boeyink, Journalism, and “Professing to Professionals: Clergy, Professionals, and the Critique of Culture” by William J. Meyer, Maryville College
• “Patient Trust in an Age of Institutional Health Care” by Paul Camenish, DePaul University, and “Love and Death in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit” by Richard B. Miller, Indiana University and
• “Ethics and Values in Advertising: Professional identities and Organizational Cultures” by David Krueger, Baldwin-Wallace College, and “Quilting Professional Identities in Business” by David P. Schmidt, Fairfield University.

A semester of speakers

• Eric Rasmusen, Business Economics and Public Policy, “The Objectives of Sexual Harassment Law, with Application to 1998’s Ellerth, Oncale, and Faragher Decisions,” January 13
• Lawrence J. Friedman, History, “The Mind’s Eye:  World War II and the End of Anglo American Innocence,” January 20
• K. Anne Pyburn, Anthropology, “Native American Religion vs. Archeological Science: A Pernicious Dichotomy Revisited,” January 27
• Kenneth D. Pimple, Poynter Center, “The Ethics of Human Cloning and the Fate of Science in a Democratic Society,” February 17
• John  A. Woodcock, English, “New Lives for Old,” April 14,
• Daniel Chambliss, Sociology, Hamilton College, “A Social Science Approach to Bioethics,” April 15, and
• Richard B. Miller, Religious Studies, “The Duty to Care,” April 21.

Two guest speakers closed out the spring semester’s list of attractions.   Stuart C. Gilman, Special Assistant to the Director at the United States Office of Government Ethics (OGE),  discussed “Ethics, Democracy, and Government:  A Perspective on the International Fight Against Corruption” on March 10.  On April 15, Daniel F. Chambliss, Professor and Chair, Sociology, Hamilton College, presented “A Social Science Approach to Medical Ethics.”

And finally, we  participated in the visit of  Patten Lecturer Alexander Astin, Allan M. Cartter Professor of Higher Education, and director of the Higher Education Research Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles.  Astin  presented a faculty seminar at the Poynter Center.