University Advancement

Public Relations and Strategic Communications

MEDIA RELEASE

CSUN Hosts Author Stephanie Coontz in Richard W. Smith Lecture;
to Discuss ‘America’s Changing Families’

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif., Nov. 8, 2007) — Stephanie Coontz, author of "The Way We Really Are: Coming to Terms with America’s Changing Families," will explore the idea of "traditional marriage" on Wednesday, Nov. 28, at Cal State Northridge.

Coontz’s presentation, "In Search of Traditional Marriage: The Surprising Diversity of Love and Marriage Across Cultures and Times," is scheduled to be held at 7 p.m. in the Whitsett Room on the fourth floor of Sierra Hall, on the west side of the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St.

"Stephanie Coontz is an international expert on human families," said Richard W. Smith, retired CSUN professor of psychology. "Scientists and therapists around the world refer to her to get the latest, most accurate information on love and marriage throughout history and across the globe."

Coontz is a professor at the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash., where she teaches courses on history and family studies. She has spoken about her research internationally to a variety of audiences including guest appearances on the "Today Show," "Oprah Winfrey" and National Public Radio. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and LIFE magazine.

Smith, a two-time Distinguished Faculty Award winner and CSUN’s 1991-92 Professor of the Year who retired in 2003, established the Richard W. Smith Endowment for Cultural Studies, which includes the lecture series, in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences as a way of encouraging students to think like cultural psychologists from the perspectives of other peoples and other cultures.

"This is the only time that CSUN has been able to get her to come to southern California—a once and only opportunity to hear her riveting speaking," said Smith.

A reception will be held following the lecture. The program is free and open to the public. For more information call (818) 677-3317.