Lectures of Interest

Tonight is the first in a series of presentations/lectures about the Middle East sponsored by the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters. Tonight's lecture is called "The Roots of Conflict" and will be given by Prof. Joe Elder, who works here at the UW in the sociology department. Here's the lowdown:

The Roots of Conflict--Joe Elder
Wednesday, September 13, Capitol Theater, 7-8:30 pm

Joe Elder, a UW-Madison sociology professor who was born to missionary parents in Kurdish Iran, provides an overview of the region’s history and the root sources of conflict. What are the main differences between the major ethnic and religious groups? Do discrepancies between national boundary lines versus ethnic and religious affiliations make enduring conflict inevitable?

Also tonight:

Postcolonialism and the Chilean Frontier: The Ránquil Massacre Reconsidered, 1880-1934
Focus on the Humanities Lecture with Florencia E. Mallon

In 1934, rumors of a major indigenous uprising, fuelled by Communist Party claims that the rebellion aimed to establish an independent Mapuche indigenous republic, prompted a major repressive campaign and massacre by the Chilean military police along the border with Argentina. Mallon will explore the claims made by the different actors involved, as well as subsequent historical interpretations of the event, which has long been considered a foundation for the Chilean left and the Chilean peasant movement.

Wednesday, 9/13
5:00 PM
Chazen Museum of Art
Room L160
800 University Avenue

Now, this one appears to be for UW staff, faculty, and students only:

Globalization and Human Security
A.M. Mellon Workshop introductory meeting

Introductory meeting of the A.W. Mellon Workshop, "Globalization and Human Security." All interested faculty, staff, and graduate students are encouraged to attend. Click here for more information.

Wednesday, 9/13
5:00 PM
336 Ingraham Hall

Tomorrow night Luxembourgian-Americans can learn about ethnic identification here in Wisconsin at a couple lectures at the Memorial Union:

Kristine Horner: "Ethnic Identification among Wisconsin Luxembourgers"
Kevin Wester: "The Luxembourg American Cultural Center
in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin"

Thursday, Sept. 14, 2006
7 p.m.
Memorial Union, UW–Madison

Kristine Horner is Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Luxembourg and is currently a visiting scholar at the Max Kade Institute to conduct research in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin. Kevin Wester is Director of Development for the Luxembourg American Cultural Society, Inc.

The Polish Heritage Club of Madison is sponsoring a lecture by UW professor Erich Senn. The topic is "Problems with Polish/Lithuanian Relations". It will be on Sunday, September 24th and be held at the UW Sports and Fitness Center from 1pm -5pm. Social hour will start at 2 with the lecture starting at 2:30. Professor Senn will speak for an hour with a question and answer period to follow.

Finally, all you nerds out there should keep an eye out for the Wisconsin Book Festival. On Sunday, October 22 there will be a panel discussion featuring well-known horror writers.

The Evolution of Horror and Fantasy: Genre Fiction and 'The New Wave Fabulists'
Wisconsin Book Festival Panel with Neil Gaiman, Peter Straub, and Gary K. Wolfe

Panelists will discuss their work in the broader context of genre writing. They will examine the current state of horror and fantasy writing, the "New Wave Fabulists" movement, and why Wisconsin has inspired such notable horror-both real and in fiction. A moderated discussion with questions from the audience will follow short introductions.

EDIT: I forgot to mention the Pint and Policy Forum tomorrow. It is called "Can Madison Avoid Milwaukee's Problems?". Check out The Daily Page for more info.