UMaine News

Co-sponsored by Maine Peace Action Committee, the Memorial Union and with generous support of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the lecture series explores thought-provoking and relevant topics, says Doug Allen, a professor of philosophy and coordinator of Marxist-Socialist Studies.

Speakers in the series, who do not necessarily present Marxist or socialist viewpoints, are visiting the Orono campus from as far away as California. All lectures are from 12:30-1:45 p.m. in the Bangor Room of the Memorial Union Building, unless noted otherwise, and are free.

The schedule is as follows:

Thursday, Feb. 3rd: “The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict Since Arafat,” Professor Alex Grab, history.

Feb. 10: “Linguistic Politics and Language Wars in Europe,” Professor Kathleen March, Spanish. 12:30-1:45 p.m., Coe Room, Memorial Union.

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.

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

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

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.”

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

April 7: “The Last Samurai Meets WWII: The ‘Zen’ of Japanese Militarism and ‘Holy War,'” Dr. Brian Victoria, visiting professor of Asian Studies at Binghamton University, specialist in Zen Buddhism and author of “Zen War Stories.”

April 14: “How Should the Left Think About Trade?” Professor Darrel Moellendorf, philosophy, director of Institute for Ethics and Public Affairs at San Diego State University and author of “Cosmopolitan Justice.”