Historian Gary Scott Smith explores the issue of religion amid the current presidential campaign in a lecture, “Religion and the American Presidency,” Wednesday, March 5, at 3:30 p.m. in Kerrwood Hall’s Hieronymus Lounge. The talk is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served at 3:10 p.m.
Doug Schaupp, a writer and teacher of racial issues, says America is challenged with the prospect of true integration as diverse populations increase in an increasingly global society. Schaupp will discuss what role white people play in contributing to multiethnic community building and justice at a lecture, “Being White: Finding our Place in a Multiethnic World,” Friday, March 7, in Westmont’s Founder’s Dining Room at 3:30 p.m.
A month-long tournament that started with nearly 100 students will culminate in a final showdown for cash prizes Thursday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m. in Page Hall.Several championship winners of speech and debate will each receive a top prize of $500 following Westmont’s Tournament of Expressions: Finals in Debate, Great Speeches, Persuasive Speeches, and Biblical Recitation.
John Blondell, Westmont professor of theater arts, will lecture about “Born in the USA: William Shakespeare and the American Theatrical Tradition” Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 8 p.m. at Hieronymus Lounge in Westmont’s Kerrwood Hall. The Phi Kappa Phi Paul C. Wilt Faculty Lecture is free and open to the public.
Lawrence Stager, Dorot professor of the archaeology of Israel at Harvard, will present a free lecture “The Mysterious Philistines: Excavations at Ashkelon Cast New Light on Their Origins, Language, Religion and Daily Life,” in a lecture co sponsored by Westmont and UC Santa Barbara Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m. in North Hall 1006 at UCSB.
The Westmont Theatre Department presents “Anon(ymous),” an adaptation of Homer’s “The Odyssey” by Naomi Iizuka, Feb. 22, 23 and 29 and March 1 at 8 p.m. in Porter Theatre. Admission is $15, $7 for students and seniors. The public is also invited to hear Iizuka talk about her work at a keynote address Thursday, Feb. 21, at 7:30 p.m. in Porter Theatre.