University Lectures

Thursday September 14^th

4:30pm – Posner Center

Constitution Day Reception

Come see an original copy of the Bill of Rights! In honor of Constitution Day, the University Libraries will display one of only four existing first editions of the Bill of Rights from 1pm – 4 pm in the Posner Center, September 11-15^th. On permanent loan to the university by the Posner family, the 1792 document was distributed by Thomas Jefferson to governors of the 14 states and is a vital component of U.S. history. It is one of the many notable works in the Posner Collection.

Sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs

Friday September 15^th

4:30pm – Kresge Auditorium, CFA

September 11^th Commemoration

Carnegie Mellon will host a remembrance service at 4:30 p.m., Friday, Sept.15 in the College of Fine Arts' Kresge Theatre to remember alumni, family and friends lost in the 9/11 tragedy. The service will include performances by alumnus Billy Porter (A'91) and Gary Kline, an Associate Teaching Professor of Voice in the School of Drama. A 5:30 p.m. program at the 9/11 Memorial Tree near the tennis courts will follow the service. All community members are encouraged to participate by bringing a memory to share.

Sponsored by the Office of Alumni Relations, the Office of VIP Relations, the School of Drama and the Office of Student Affairs

Monday September 18^th

4:30pm – Adamson Wing, 136A Baker Hall

Understanding Conditions in Iraq-A Firsthand Perspective

Robert Behrman, First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Reserve, EPP Doctoral Student

This lecture describes the political, social, and military situation in Iraq; specifically examining those factors that exacerbate or prolong the conflict. Intent is to help the average observer understand articles or news about the conflict - the difference between analysis and polemic; significant events from incomplete, irrelevant, or misleading news. Presentation draws from firsthand experience in Iraq from June 2005-April 2006; working with the US Military and Department of State and Iraqi political parties, NGOs, and civilians.

Thursday September 21^st

4:30pm – McConomy Auditorium, University Center

The Decline of Capitalism and the Infantilist Ethos

Benjamin Barber, Gershon and Carol Kekst Professor of Civil Society and Distinguished University Professor, the University of Maryland

On the way to selling the surfeit of goods necessarily produced by the modern marketplace, capitalism has had to engage in the manufacture not of commodities but of needs. To sell all it has to sell in a world where the "haves" are without significant needs and the "have-nots" are without the wherewithal to be players in the global marketplace, capitalism has helped invent and nurture an "infantilist ethos" which dumbs down adults into impetuous consumers and empowers children as consumerist decision-makers.

Consumerism of this type runs the risk of substituting consumers for citizens. Understanding this requires that we see a crucial distinction between citizens (public, deliberative judgment in common) and consumers (private expression of personal desires). We moderns are torn between these two species of being, these two forms of judgment or deliberation.

Co-sponsored by the Humanities Center, Department of Philosophy

Thursday September 21^st

5:15pm – Informal reception at entrance to Mellon Auditorium

6:00pm – Mellon Auditorium, Mellon Institute, 4400 Fifth Avenue (use Bellefield Street entrance)

In Situ Spectroscopy on Mars-following the water in current NASA missions

Philip Gütlich, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany

Miniaturized Mössbauer spectrometers, less than one hundredth the size of a standard spectrometer, on board the Mars exploration rovers “Spirit” and “Opportunity”, have recorded spectra of high quality. The identification of jarosite provided some of the most compelling evidence for the occurrence of water on Mars. The lecture includes an exciting animation of the Mars landing, based on real flight data. SCIENCE has chosen two reports of the Mars exploration as “breakthrough of the year 2004”.

Co-sponsored by the Department of Chemistry