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Philosophy students have a bad rap, in part because they ask all the right questions that go under the skin of all the right people which in turn rubs them the wrong way. Among all the things philosophy majors have been accused of the most searing would probably be that they are lazy people, especially as compared to a university’s business students. But it’s especially difficult to make such accusations considering the serious academic effort these students exemplify, in part because Socrates himself suggested that Philosophic souls should be interested in learning for others sake rather than their own self-interests.

Altruism aside, some undergraduate students are being given a chance to prove their merit at Webster University’s 3rd Annual Undergraduate Philosophy Conference on Friday February 29th. Some enterprising students from a myriad of schools attending will even be presenting their own philosophical work through lecture, and preferably in the Socratic method. This conference includes a Keynote Speech by Richard Shusterman PhD of visiting Florida Atlantic University. It is being funded by the Student Government Association who will host the event from 10am until 6pm in the Emerson Library. You’ll be asking yourself “why?” if you miss this chance to listen and learn.

Although John Oliver had appeared on a Daily Show in advance of the writer’s strike ending, with that dispute now resolved (and our reputations in the media firmly preserved), we feel comfortable posting one of our favorite clips from the Daily Show.  We’re posting this clip, in which comedian John Oliver lampoons the CNN/YouTube debates last year, in order for us to celebrate his upcoming performance at Webster University on Monday February 18th @ 7pm. 

Of course if you didn’t read our original post detailing that show, you might want to read 52nd City’s newest contributer Rachel’s input on the event since she’s predicting that hundreds might have to be turned away on the day of the show.  Should any seats remain this evening, they will set you back about $10, or so says these scrawled notes on the sidewalk of Webster University.  And if tickets sell out, or if you’re just inspired by all the drinking in the video, you might considersaving that disposable income and celebrate “political trendspotting” with our friends from Drinking Liberally later this month.

In spite of his return to work and the end of the writers strike, Daily Show correspondent and comedian John Oliver is coming to perform his act at Webster University this coming Monday, February 18th 2008.  The event, which will take place at 7pm in the Loretto-Hilton Center on Webster University’s home campus, is free for Webster students but will cost $10 for the general public.  

Both students and curious Daily Show fans must pick up their tickets from the University using straight cash (homies).  More information on this event is available from Webster’s Campus Activities  who are hosting the event (or on Facebook) .

While we’re waiting for the release of the new film calender from the Webster Film Series, we found this notice posted around the campus of Webster University.  Upon contacting the individuals responsible for this special unscheduled screening (or at least its notice), we were unable to receive any additional information about the film(s) being screened or what makes them necessarily shrouded in secrecy.

What we do know from this document, is that this special screening will take place again at 8 PM this Thursday January 31st and Friday February 1st, as parts 2 and 3 of the undisclosed three-part series of films.  You must be over the age of 18 to Attend, and viewer discretion is advised because this is

“a show that epitomizes the unique aspects of a genre that is widely misunderstood by many people…we are not disclosing what the feature is in order for you to view it without preconceived notions.”

We suggest coming in with an open mind, although we cannot claim to know what exactly we’re getting you into right now. If you know anything about the screening, please let us know.

Students play a scrimmage game of soccer on the Quad (in front of the University Center) of Webster University, seen here last Tuesday November 20th. Although it’s not totally uncommon to see students playing on campus at a school, I must admit being a little compelled by the gameplay. Webster also has soccer teams, but perhaps thats the appeal of what appeared to be an spontaneous contest on the quad. And although Webster has no football team, a little game would break out sometime shortly following the close of this game.

This Friday November 30th, Webster University will be the host of the RHA Video Game Tournament from 8pm to Midnight. In the Marletto’s Marketplace, which is next to Webster Hall, student gamers from Webster University will compete to win prizes and place rank is games such as Guitar Hero 3, Halo 3, and Super Smash Brothers Melee. At this time it is not clear whether members of the general public can compete, but spectators are welcome as guests of students (who will include the contributor of this blog entry).
With a grand prize of a 19-inch LCD HDTV for the Guitar Hero 3 competition, the atmosphere is sure to be exciting, and even those who don’t win will elligible for door prizes. But in addition to prizes the RHA needs equipment donations (or at least equipment to borrow) so that they can pull this tournament off; if you can, please donate equipment. For more information check their Facebook event page or through Zach Haugen and WebUGraph.

Sure everyone is still talking about Girl Talk’s show last weekend, and some video has even been posted on YouTube, but Washington University wasn’t the only internet addled headline maker last weekend.  Another video fell under the shadow of those headlines, from another university around Saint Louis - my alma matter Webster.  You can see for yourself in the video above, a promotional clip celebrating the glorious return of GTV (G as in Gorlok, the Napoleon Dynamite-esqe lion/griffin/other mascot of the university).

Now last time I checked, GTV was still broadcast primarily as a CCTV (or Closed Circuit Television network) to those who live on Webster’s campus, with occasional stints over public access cable in local markets (ie Webster Groves).  But I’m willing to bet this teaser clip is only the beginning of these Broadcast students’ work going Broadband.  After all this blog was started by two Webster students interested in using a new medium, and we see the evidence of broadcast spilling onto the internet every day.  And by every day I mean every day of the television writers strike.  Either way, we’re pretty sure some pirated (ie student produced) content is going to slip onto the web, so I’m looking forward to sharing clips with you pretty soon

PS - Would it kill someone to update this website?  It’s just a little outdated, and we like to give credit where it’s due when we link it.

Ealier this month we tried to get the word out about a special series on films of the late Robert Altman in the Webster Film Series.  These films (which are otherwise unmarked on the WFS calendar) are screened every Tuesday in conjunction with a course this semester on that director.  Although the films are free screenings that are open to the public, thus far it has been difficult to obtain a list of the films. 

That changed this afternoon when the WFS sent out an e-mail, so in the interest of public consumption we decided to make that information accessible here and through our Upcoming events calendar. We added the events ourselves to give you IMDB descriptions, maps, and the ability to add each film to your own calender in each of the links below, though of course we encourage you to see them all.

• The Long Goodbye on Septmeber 11th @ 7:30 pm
• Nashville on Septmeber 18th @ 7:00 pm
• The Player on September 25th @ 7:30 pm
• Short Cuts on October 2nd @ 6:30 pm
• Gosford Park on October 9th @ 6:30 pm

Of course all these films will be screened for free on a Tuesday night in the Winifred Moore Auditorium on Webster University.

At risk of leaving the impression on our readers as institutionally centric, this open mic night at Webster University is also open to the public at large. Now starting its third season as a forum for oral expository and musical expressions, F1rst Fridays is quickly becoming a tradition.

Where: Outside Emerson Library @ Webster University, 101 Edgar Road in Webster Groves, Missouri
When: 8pm on Friday, September 7th 2007
Who: Poets, emcees, musicians, prophets, and the general public
Why: Because we have something to say.  Do you?

Second City - webster

Originally uploaded by Skewgee

Although I’m not entirely sure if this is this tonight, I found a sign for an improv comedy night on my walk accross Webster University today. I thought it might be of interest to our readers who are students at Webster, since they’re the only audience allowed to attend. They must be including night students, since the show is due to start at the end of night classes.

What: Second City (improv comedy)
Who: Webster Students only
When: Tonight, August 30th @ 9:30 PM
Where: Grant Gym on Webster University (St. Louis main campus)
Cost: Free!