President's Speaker Series promotes human dignity
By Liz O'Brien
Next Wednesday, Jan. 17, marks the beginning of the President's Speaker Series, a set of monthly lectures which will continue until May. Reza Aslan will open the series with a lecture on the "War on Terror."
Aslan, who graduated from Santa Clara in 1995 with a degree in religious studies, joins two other Santa Clara alumni who are also speaking at the series: biology alumnus Khaled Hosseini in February and professor and author Ron Hansen in May. Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a Somali-born women's rights activist in the Netherlands, will lecture in April.
Aslan, author of "No god but God: the Origins, Evolution and Future of Islam," plans to open the series with a discussion of what he calls "a more metaphysical explanation as to why we are losing the 'War on Terror.' "
Aslan, who has his master's degrees in theological studies from Harvard University and fine arts in fiction from the University of Iowa, will look at the "War on Terror" not from a "military or strategic position," but from a more abstract angle that incorporates Islam as it is today.
"After Sept. 11, I recognize the desire of students to understand this religion," Aslan said. As an expert on the religion, he plans to offer a view of the war from his perspective.
Copies of Aslan's book will be available after the lecture for signing.
The two lecturers following Aslan are also speaking about Islamic affairs. Hosseni, author of award-winning novel "The Kite Runner," will speak on Feb. 13.
Hirsi Ali will speak on April 19 about Muslim women and violence.
Her presentation is co-sponsored by the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, the Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education and the Department of Religious Studies.
"Their stimulating presentations and discussion will make us more aware of how difficult and fragile religious freedom, international human rights, and the rights of immigrants and women can be," University President Paul Locatelli, S.J., stated on the series' Web site.
According to Margaret Avritt, marketing director for the series, the original plan was to have a Speakers Series of Santa Clara alumni.
"Originally, the theme was 'SCU authors,' since all presenters were either alumni or faculty. But then, we had an opportunity to get Hirsi Ali," said Avritt. "We're very excited about her visit, but her inclusion made our theme unusable." The advisory group for the series is considering using the "theme" concept for next year's series instead.
On May 10, the final speaker, Hansen, will discuss the upcoming film "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," which is based on a novel by Hansen and stars Brad Pitt.
According to Avritt, the program is intended mainly for "an external audience."
Avritt said in an e-mail that no tickets were being reserved for students, due to the intended audience: outside visitors to the university.
However, students can reserve tickets online with a donation of $20 or have the donation fee waived at the door on the night of the lectures. Avritt advised students seeking larger blocks of tickets to contact Michelle Anaya in the Office of Marketing and Communications for accommodations.
Contact Liz O'Brien at eobrien@scu.edu.