Oregon State University - Cascades Campus' annual "It's in the Bag" lecture series continues on Wednesday, March 3 with a presentation titled “Marilynne Robinson’s Gilead - Religion, Pragmatism, and the Ecology of Place.”  The lunchtime lecture will be given by Neil Browne, Ph.D. of OSU-Cascades' liberal studies program. 

Browne will use Robinson's beautiful and acclaimed novel, Gilead, as a backdrop for a discussion that bring two ways of thinking—religious and secular—into an ecological conversation. He will explore how Robinson has taken a tradition interpreted as unbending, and in it, found potential for a progressive, ecologically-oriented American future.

Robinson first won literary fame with her novel Housekeeping, which was set in Idaho where she grew up. For most of the past 20 years she has taught at the University of Iowa's famed writers workshop, and during that time fell in love with the small towns that are sprinkled throughout the Iowa countryside. Her latest novel, Gilead, is set in a small town in Iowa.  Robinson's fictional town is called Gilead, a name fairly common among early 19th century American towns as it implied Utopia.  Robinson's writing is strongly influenced by her own faith.  Raised a Presbyterian, she became interested in Congregationalism while studying about 19th century American writers in college and is now a longtime member of the Congregational United Church of Christ in Iowa City.  Her works often explore the mysteries of faith.

Browne is an associate professor of English.  He was a finalist in the 2008 Oregon Book Awards (literary non-fiction category) for his work, The World in Which We Occur: John Dewey, Pragmatist Ecology, and American Ecological Writing in the Twentieth Century.  He sits on the board of directors of the Nature of Words.  Browne received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Central Florida, and a master’s degree and Ph.D. from Ohio University.    

'It's in the Bag" lectures are free and no reservation is needed. Complimentary beverages will be available. Audience members are asked to pick-up a free parking pass from the main office before parking. For more information visit  http://www.osucascades.edu/lunchtime-lectures or contact 541-322-3100 or info@osucascades.edu.