Taco Talks, sponsored by Bella Amore, a Living Learning Community in Upper Quads, are conversations that both faculty and students alike have together about contemporary topics that affect both the students and institutions. The talks occur four times per semester on Tuesdays, and everyone is welcome to join in on conversation and dining – and tacos are provided!

The Taco Talks collaborate with many clubs and organizations on campus. With diverse academic and religious perspectives, the topics range from facing mental health challenges to overcoming political divisiveness. Taco Talks host sessions with guest speakers that give rise to other subjects while also allowing room to engage with the Concordia faculty more informally. Each talk is organized by the Faculty in Residence, Dr. Kristen Koenig, who teaches sociology full time in Behavioral Sciences. 

“So many of the talks feature topics revolving around issues that we might be mulling over as an individual or as a community, but don’t know where else to talk about them,” Koenig said, “The last series of talks this semester were completed by Dr. Jack Schultz, Dr. Dan Deen, Joel Oesch, Dr. CJ Armstrong and Professor Tyler Zarubin on the question of what sort of student do we want to produce as professors in the liberal arts.”

Koenig has served in the LLC since 2013 with her husband Paul Hartley and their three sons Oliver, Elliot and Emerson. She uses the tools and concepts of sociology to engage Bella residents with the notion of “a women’s community” through objective study and a better understanding of women and gender in today’s world. Other events that she sponsors and hosts with Bella Amore are Color Me Calm, Lego Your Stress, BBQs and Game Night.

“Taco Talks are a great place to discuss and reflect on interesting topics alongside your peers,” said Corinne Clasen, Resident Assistant for Bella Amore and senior Psychology major. “They also allow the unique opportunity for you to get to know your professors outside of the classroom!”

Next semester Bella Amore will usher in four more Taco Talks. The first will be on January 11 with Dr. David Schulz and Dr. Lucas Holten discussing public memory and the events of January 6th. Tacos are served at 5 p.m. with the talk beginning slightly after.

To learn more about Bella Amore or Taco Talks visit the official CUI page at https://www.cui.edu/studentlife/living-learning-communities/communities/bella-amore. If you have questions regarding either Bella Amore or the Taco Talks feel free to contact Dr. Kristen Koenig on her email at kristen.koenig@cui.edu.

Tags: community, event, philosophy

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