An insider’s look at Pope Francis
Author John L. Allen, Jr., a Vatican analyst and senior correspondent for National Catholic Reporter, will present “The Francis Papacy: Reform, Renewal and Resistance” on Oct. 30 in Robsham Theater at 6 p.m. In his lecture, Allen will share his observations and insider stories of the emerging papacy of Pope Francis. Allen has traveled with Pope Francis to South America and has followed his papacy from his election to current day. Allen is the author of the new book The Global War on Christians: Dispatches from the Front Lines of Anti-Christian Persecution. His other books include, A People of Hope: The Challenges Facing the Catholic Church and the Faith that Can Save It; The Future Church, and The Rise of Benedict XVI. Sponsors: The Church in the 21st Century Center and the School of Theology and Ministry.
Planet protector
Environmentalist and author Bill McKibben has shaped public perception–and public action–on climate change, alternative energy, and sustainability. He will give a talk (dubbed a Boston Globe Best Bet) on “350: The Most Important Number in the World” at Boston College on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. in McGuinn Auditorium. After working as a journalist for the New Yorker, McKibben wrote The End of Nature, widely regarded as the first book on climate change for a general audience. His book Deep Economy: the Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future was a challenge to move beyond “growth” as the paramount economic ideal and to pursue prosperity in a more local direction — an idea that is the cornerstone of much of the sustainability discourse today. McKibben is the founder of 350.org, a grassroots climate change initiative that has coordinated thousands of rallies in nearly 200 countries. His latest book is Oil and Honey: The Education of an Unlikely Activist. Sponsors: Lowell Humanities Series and Winston Center for Leadership and Ethics.
Today’s college student
Arthur Levine, president of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, will give an address on his book Generation on a Tightrope: A Portrait of Today’s College Student, co-authored with Diane R. Dean, on Oct. 17 at 1:30 p.m. in the Heights Room in Corcoran Commons. Last year, he spoke to the New York Times about his book, the third in a series of books that look at beliefs and behaviors of college students. Sponsor: Division of Student Affairs.
Kristeva on Saint Teresa of Avila
Julia Kristeva, professor emeritus at the University of Paris VII Diderot, will give a talk on her book, Therese, My Love, on Oct. 16 at 12:30 p.m. in the Heights Room in Corcoran Commons. Kristeva, whose writings on semiotics and psychoanalysis have influenced the humanities and feminist theory, was the inaugural recipient of Norway’s Holberg Prize in recognition of her “innovative explorations of questions on the intersection of language, culture and literature.” She is the author of some 30 books, including: Desire in Language: A Semiotic Approach to Literature and Art, Black Sun: Depression and Melancholy, Female Genius: Life, Madness, Words: Hannah Arendt, Melanie Klein, Colette: A Trilogy, This Incredible Need to Believe, Murder in Byzantium, and her newest, Instincts Time. Sponsors: The Philosophy Department’s Albert J. Fitzgibbons Lecture Series and Lesley University’s Psychology and the Other Institute. Co-sponsors: Theology Department and the Consulate General of France.
Posted in Guest Authors
Tagged feminism, France, humanities, Philosophy Department, Theology Dept.
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Killer artificial intelligence
Nate Kenyon of the Boston College Law School has published a new work of fiction that pits man against machine. In Kenyon’s thriller Day One (Thomas Dunne/St. Martin’s Press), journalist John Hawke must find a way to rescue his family while New York City is under attack from a deadly and brilliant enemy that can be anywhere and can occupy anything with a computer chip. Kenyon’s previous novels include Bloodstone and The Bone Factory.
Breast cancer through a journalist’s lens
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, BC Bookmarks spotlights alumna Ann Murray Paige, a broadcast journalist and author of Words to Live By and pink tips, a book of advice for anyone diagnosed with breast cancer from someone who has been there. An inspirational figure, Paige regularly blogs about her experience as a cancer patient. Her other projects include a one-woman show, “In the Pink,” and a documentary, “The Breast Cancer Diaries,” which has been seen in 30 countries and been translated into two languages. Earlier this year Paige was honored by the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Care Center at its one hundred event which recognizes 100 individuals and groups whose diligence and discoveries, philanthropy and passion have helped advance the fight against cancer. Listen to her amazing speech.
American foreign policy in retreat
Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies Dean Vali Nasr, a Middle East scholar, foreign policy adviser and commentator on international relations, will talk about his book, The Dispensable Nation: American Foreign Policy in Retreat on Oct. 9 at 5:30 p.m. in Devlin Hall, room 101. The Dispensable Nation is about the implications of the Obama administration’s foreign policy on American strategic interests. Nasr’s other books, Forces of Fortune and The Shia Revival, examined the postwar sectarian violence in Iraq and the uprisings known as the Arab Spring and contributed to U.S. policy formulated in response to those events. From 2009 to 2011, Nasr was special adviser to the president’s special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. He is currently a member of the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Affairs Policy Board and a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Copies of The Dispensable Nation: American Foreign Policy in Retreat will be available for purchase at the event. Sponsor: The Clough Center for the Study of Constitutional Democracy.
How children succeed
Best-selling author Paul Tough will present “How Children Succeed” on Oct. 9 in Gasson Hall, room 100 at 7 p.m. Tough is the author of How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character, which has been translated into 22 languages, and Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada’s Quest to Change Harlem and America. Tough is a contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine, where he has written extensively about education, parenting, poverty, and politics. His writing has also appeared in the New Yorker, Slate, GQ, Esquire and Geist. Sponsors: Lowell Humanities Series and Winston Center for Leadership and Ethics.
Posted in Guest Authors, Lowell Humanities Series
Tagged children, education, poverty
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