Lecture series covers political, social, cultural issues

Faculty members from ASU’s School of Letters & Sciences will discuss women, war, violence, religion and politics during its first community lecture series at the Downtown Phoenix campus

Karen Shafer’s “Minding the Flock: Obama, McCain, and Religious Voters in 2008” will commence the series, which starts at 5:30 p.m., Sept. 25 at the ASU Mercado, 502 E. Monroe St., Suite C-368.

The lecture series is free and open to the public.

“The Community Lecture Series provides us with opportunities to analyze, discuss and interpret current events. We look forward to public discussions that help us understand and appreciate various points of view on political, social and cultural issues,” said Frederick C. Corey, director of ASU’s School of Letters & Sciences and dean of University College.  

The School of Letters & Sciences in University College is designed to respond to the needs of ASU students, downtown faculty members, the challenges of higher education and constituent communities.

Shafer, a political science instructor at ASU’s School of Letters & Sciences, said the role of religion in the 2008 presidential election will be the focal point of her lecture.

“The discussion will highlight whether or not John McCain can mobilize evangelical voters like George W. Bush did in 2000 and 2004 to win the presidential election,” Shafer said. “I’ll also talk about the Democratic party’s recent efforts to reach out to faith-based voters on behalf of Barack Obama.”

Recent national polls show McCain and Obama in a virtual tie almost six weeks before election day.

The lecture series schedule includes:

• “Women, War, and Violence” presented by Sama Alshaibi, 1 p.m., Oct. 4, University Center, 411 N. Central Ave., Suite 282, Phoenix

• “If I Die in Juarez” presented by Stella Pope Duarte, 5:30 p.m., Nov. 13, El Portal Restaurant, 117 W. Grant St., Phoenix

What: School of Letters & Sciences Community Lecture Series featuring Karen Shafer

Where: ASU Mercado, 502 E. Monroe St., Suite C-368

When: 5:30 p.m.,Thursday, Sept. 25

Admission: Free

Information: (602) 496-0638 or visit http://sls.asu.edu/hss/news.html