Series focuses on terrorism and international conflict
Sept. 19, 2002
KALAMAZOO -- Western Michigan University professors will head an evening discussion series that will address current issues related to terrorism and current world conflicts.
The discussion series, "Learning OutLoud: A Guided Exploration of Contemporary Issues," is a chance for the public to take advantage of the opportunity to interact in a question-and-answer format with local experts on controversial issues.
Dr. Nicholas Andreadis, WMU associate professor of counselor education and counseling psychology, will serve as moderator and coordinator of the series. Sessions are formatted with a series of questions posed by Andreadis before discussion is opened up to the audience. A list of relevant books will be provided at the end of the evening for those who want additional information.
"From the response we had last year, I believe the presentations filled a major need for many people," Andreadis says. "The audience can expect to participate, and perhaps see these issues from a different perspective."
Dr. C. Richard Spates, WMU professor of psychology, will be featured at the first presentation on "The Psychology of Terror" at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25.
Spates, an expert on victimization as it relates to hostages and terrorism, will address the psychological effects of terror and the motivations of the terrorists themselves.
"I expect the discussion to be far-ranging and deal with the continued stresses suffered by Americans as well as the politics of terror management," Spates says.
The next discussion, "Fighting Among Ourselves: Our World in Conflict," will feature Dr. Steven T. Benfell, WMU assistant professor of political science. That session is set for Tuesday, Oct. 22.
Discussions begin at 7 p.m. in the Portage Senior Center at the Portage District Library, 300 Library Lane, Portage, Mich. Sessions are free and open to the public.
For more information, contact the Portage District Library at (269) 329-4542, ext. 600, or visit the Web at <www.portagelibrary.info>. Andreadis can be reached at (269) 387-3504.
Media contact: Matt Gerard, 269 387-8400, matthew.gerard@wmich.edu