UM lecture series to start Sept. 16

ORONO – The Marxist-Socialist Studies Interdisciplinary Minor will sponsor a series of lectures at the University of Maine from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. in the Bangor Lounge, Memorial Union, University of Maine, unless otherwise noted.

The series is co-sponsored by the Maine Peace Action Committee and the Memorial Union, with support from the college of liberal arts and sciences. To obtain more information, call 581-3860.

Speakers do not necessarily present socialist or Marxist viewpoints. The schedule is:

Sept. 16: “Marxism, Militarism and the Election,” Carl Cooley, industrial worker, farmer, teacher and member of Socialist Equality Party.

Sept. 23: “Mahatma Gandhi after 9/11: A Different Approach to Terrorism and Violence,” Professor Doug Allen, University of Maine.

Sept. 30: “The Eagle and the Condor: A Vision for a New Civilization in the Western Hemisphere,” Roberto Mendoza, American Indian-Chicano activist and filmmaker.

Oct. 14: “What If Bush is Re-elected? Student Perspectives on a Second Bush Administration,” Isaac Curtis, moderator. Student representatives from the Maine Peace Action Committee, the Progressive Student Alliance and other UMaine organizations.

Oct. 21: “Challenging U.S. Support for Israel’s Occupation of Palestine: International Law and Human Rights,” Phyllis Bennis, director of New Internationalism Program, Institute for Policy Studies, Washington D.C. Bennis also will deliver the Howard B. Schonberger Peace and Social Justice Lecture, “Challenging Empire: Iraq, the U.N. and the ‘Second Super-Power,'” 7:30 p.m., Minsky Recital Hall.

Oct. 28: “Engaged Buddhism and Socialism,” Sulak Sivaraksa, born in Thailand, nominated for Nobel Prize, Buddhist peace activist and UMaine Libra professor. Part of Peace Week.

Nov. 4: “CAFTA, Central America Free Trade Agreement: Another Bad Deal for the Masses,” Stefano Tijerina, Bjorn Claeson and Marion Harris, Sister City Program of PICA.

Nov. 11: “Buying Public Policy: Money and Politics,” Joseph W. Westphal, chancellor, University of Maine System and professor of political science.

Nov. 18: “No Child Left Behind: the Impact of Federal Legislation on Public Education,” Dr. Valerie Ruhe, research associate, Center for Research and Evaluation, and Professor Anne Pooler, associate dean, college of education and human development.