WT’s Great Books Series to Offer Faustian Bargain in April

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, [email protected]

CANYON, Texas - Be careful what you wish for.

It's a classic theme in literature and film, and it's the focus of West Texas A&M University's Great Books Series in April.

Dr. Robert Fulton, associate professor of humanities and English at Amarillo College, will lead the discussion of Christopher Marlowe's "Doctor Faustus," one of literature's original tales of selling one's soul in pursuit of knowledge.

"The lure and lore of selling one's soul for fickle Fortuna and Wisdom has never been out of fashion," Fulton said. "With Marlowe as our guide, we'll go down some dark rabbit holes to see what it is Faustus is up to in his study and how that can be relevant to today with the pursuit of scientific knowledge beyond human's comprehension."

The Great Books discussion will take place at 7 p.m. April 14 at Burrowing Owl Books's Amarillo location, 2461 W. Interstate 40 in Wolflin Square.

The discussion series-sponsored by the Department of English, Philosophy and Modern Languages in the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities-is open to those who either have or haven't read the story, said organizer Dr. Daniel Bloom.

WT professors and guest lecturers lead the monthly Great Books discussions.

For information, email Bloom at [email protected].

Readers and writers also may be interested in the monthly meeting of the Burrowing Owl Poetry Circle, led by Dr. Pat Tyrer, WT's Jenny Lind Porter Professor of English.

At this monthly gathering, attendees can share their own works or those by others, or they can simply listen. The March meeting is set for 6 p.m. April 30 at Burrowing Owl Books, 400 15th St. in Canyon.

For information, call 806-651-2476 or email [email protected].

The two series are ways in which WT serves the region by offering engagement with a variety of literary and philosophical texts. Being a learner-centered university is a key principle of the University's long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign, which is now winding down, has raised more than $175 million.

About West Texas A&M University

A Regional Research University, West Texas A&M University is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor's and master's degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 16 men's and women's athletics programs.

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