UMaine lecture series explores Marxism, socialism

ORONO – The Socialist and Marxist Studies Lecture Series has been scheduled for 12:30-1:45 p.m. Thursdays at the Memorial Union, University of Maine. Speakers do not necessarily present socialist or Marxist viewpoints.

. Today, Jan. 27: “Human Rights and the University of Maine,” Isaac Curtis, moderator; student representatives from the Maine Peace Action Committee, the Progressive Student Alliance, and other UM organizations, part of Human Rights Week, Bangor Room.

. Feb. 3: “Understanding Occupation: A Six-Month Travelogue Through Occupied Gaza,” Noah Dudley Dillard, International Solidarity Movement nonviolence trainer, who lived and worked with impoverished Palestinian families struggling to resist occupation of their land, Bangor Room.

. Feb. 10: “Linguistic Politics and Language Wars in Europe,” Professor Kathleen March, Spanish, Coe Room.

. Feb. 17: “A Socialist’s Take on the 2004 Election and the Situation Now Facing the Working Class,” Carl Cooley, industrial worker, farmer, teacher, and Socialist Equality Party candidate for Congress in 2004, Bangor Room.

. Feb. 24: “A Nation Drunk on Illusions: The American Imperial Project and its Inevitable Failure,” Professor Burt Hatlen, English, Bangor Room.

. March 17: “Should Marxists Support Capital Flight (Under Certain Conditions)?,” Professor Michael Howard, philosophy, Bangor Room.

. March 24: “Understanding the U.S. Invasion and Occupation of Iraq,” Professor Ngo Vinh Long, history; “Vietnam War and Iraq War,” Professor Doug Allen, philosophy; “U.S. Empire and Iraq War,” Bangor Room.

. March 31: “Militarism in the Schools,” members of Veterans for Peace: Al Larson, Bob McElwain, Jon Eddy and Peter Phillips, Bangor Room.

. April 7: “The Last Samurai Meets WWII: The ‘Zen’ of Japanese Militarism and ‘Holy War’,” Dr. Brian Victoria, specialist in Zen Buddhism, Bangor Room.

. April 14: “How Should the Left Think about Trade?” Professor Darrel Moellendorf, philosophy, author of Cosmopolitan Justice,” Bangor Room.

The lecture series is sponsored by the Marxist-Socialist Studies Interdisciplinary Minor, and co-sponsored by the Maine Peace Action Committee, with support from the Memorial Union and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

For more information, call Professor Doug Allen, The Maples, University of Maine, 581-3860; or e-mail douglas.allen@umit.maine.edu.