The University Lecture Series is an opportunity to hear leading members of our faculty—scholars, scientists and public figures who are well known nationally and internationally. Each lecture will introduce a topic on which there has been some controversy. A diverse faculty panel will discuss each lecture immediately afterward and explore the topic from different angles. Students will have an opportunity to discuss the issues in their First-year Seminars or FIGs.
The lectures are community events: all students, faculty, alumni, and guests are invited. The lectures and panel discussions will be aimed at the level of entering first-year students. Discussion guides for each lecture will be available on line.
Sponsored by the Offices of the President and of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies with assistance from the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Endowment for Undergraduate Studies
University Lecture Series press release (PDF, 46KB)
  
Inaugural Lecture: Social work scholar Darlene Grant and filmmaker Ellen Spiro have won awards for their work focusing on the children of women who are in prison. This lecture included clips from Professor Spiro’s film, Troop 1500.
Panelists: John Butler, Charles Ramírez Berg, Larry Speck, Sara Weddington
Discussion guide (PDF, 64KB)
Suggested readings:
Video (RealPlayer, 223.15MB)
 
Admiral Bobby R. Inman had a distinguished career in the U.S. Navy, during which he served as director of the National Security Agency and deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Since 1990 he has been actively investing in technology start-up companies, serving on a number of prominent boards. He spoke on national security issues.
Panelists: Philip Bobbitt, Betty Sue Flowers, Ami Pedahzur, Faegheh Shirazi, Michael Starbird
Discussion guide (PDF, 55KB)
Video (RealPlayer, 222.59MB)
 
Historian David Oshinsky won the Pulitzer Prize for his book on the campaign to wipe out the most feared childhood disease of the 1950s—polio. He spoke on his current project, the history of capital punishment in the U.S.
Panelists: John Butler, Sheldon Ekland-Olson, George Forgie, Camille Parmesan, Michael Starbird
Discussion guide (PDF, 54KB)
Video (RealPlayer, 236.08MB)
 
Physicist Steven Weinberg won the Nobel Prize in 1979 for his work on what is called the weak force in particle physics. A prolific writer, he is well known for his ability to explain scientific issues to the general public. He spoke on priorities for public spending in research.
Panelists: John Butler, Jefferson Howell, Camille Parmesan, Larry Speck, Michael Starbird
Discussion guide (PDF, 62KB)
Video (RealPlayer, 237.34MB)
Suggested readings:
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