September 11, 2001 has inspired a new wave of patriotic feeling and expression among Americans. We are witness to an increase in the display of America's symbols and a more spirited defense of American ideology. But at the same time that specifically American values and ideas are celebrated, the pressures and opportunities of globalism call to us. In this complicated international climate, American patriotism is both enacted and contested. The Center for Ethics invites us to study the nature, causes, and effects of this renewed emphasis on love of country through its Fall 2002 programming, The Boundaries of Home: Patriotism in a Global Era.
Through interactive programming, presentations, and classroom activities, the Center invites reflection on such questions as: What is it that one loves when one loves one's country? How does international cooperation and economic globalization change the meaning or enactment of patriotism? What do patriotic symbols signify? Is the new patriotism the same as the old patriotism? What is the relationship between patriotism and war? Is patriotism in conflict with a more universal humanism? What are American values? Is reflective patriotism possible? Is the concept of “buy American” outdated?
Programming will run from Tuesday, 17 September to Thursday, 26 September 2002.
For its fundraising efforts this year, the Center for Ethics has chosen the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS). Students will be collecting for LIRS at most programmatic events, and attendance at some events(Student Rock Concert, Holly Hughes Performance) will require a nominal admittance fee that will go directly to LIRS.
OpeningReception and Dedication of Scott Sherk Sculpture Installation
17 September • Galleria, Center for the Arts • 7:00pm to 9:00pm
The Center for Ethics has commissioned Professor Sherk to create a sculpture interpretation of the programmatic theme, to be erected in the GalleriaSpace of the Center for the Arts. Join us for cocktails and light fare at the dedication of the sculpture installation, African drumming and acoustic jazz performances by Professor Ted Conner and his troupe, solo marimba compositions by Professor Doug Ovens, and dance performances by Professor Jennifer Kayle and her students.
Openingof the ALBA Photo Exhibition, “The Aura of the Cause”
18 September • The Martin Art Gallery • 5:00pm to 7:00pm
“TheAura of the Cause” is the largest photographic exhibit ever mounted about the North American role in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) and the first detailed picture of daily life in the International Brigades. Maintainedby the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives, the exhibit consists of 175 black-and-white photographs, most never displayed anywhere before. The collection includes nine of Robert Capa's most famous wartime photos, including "FallingMilitiaman." Join us for the opening reception and a keynote talk by ALBA scholar Peter Carroll. The exhibit will be on display
Forumon the American Flag
19 September • Miller Forum, Moyer Hall • 7:00pm to 9:00pm
A round-table forum oriented around controversial issues related to the American flag. What is the significance of the flag as a nationalist symbol and as an object of patriotic sentiment? What is the proper handling/display/disposal of the flag? What is the significance of flag burning as a means of protest (both domestically and abroad)? Are there improper ways of using the American flag as a symbol in works of art or consumer goods? Whatis the relationship of the US flag to those of multinational organizations of which the US is a part? Panelists will include performance artist Holly Hughes, and representatives from the ACLU, the Quaker church,citizen's organizations, and government.
StudentConcert to Benefit The Lost Boys and Girls of Sudan, a fund of the LutheranImmigration and Refugee Service
20 September • College Green • 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Rain location is Red Door Café
“Preachingto the Perverted,” a performance by Holly Hughes
20 September • Baker Theatre, Trexler Pavilion• 8:00pm to 11:00pm
Nationally-renowned for her performance art, Holly Hughes is one of the "NEA4" who lost her National Endowment for the Arts funding because the lesbian and gay issues that she confronts in her work, and her unorthodox use of the American flag, were considered indecent by some in Congress. Shewon an appeal of the decision to suspend her funding, but that appeal was overturned by the US Supreme Court. Her piece, “Preaching to the Perverted,” is inspired by this experience.
Please note: Tickets are required for this event. Contact the College'sbox office at 484-664-3333 for ticket information.
StudentConcert to Benefit The Lost Boys and Girls of Sudan, a fund of the LutheranImmigration and Refugee Service
21 September • College Green • 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Rain location is Red Door Café
InterfaithPrayer Service
22 September • Miller Forum, Moyer Hall • 11:00am
This interfaith service will highlight the significance of religion as ideology that transcends national identity. The service will be immediately followed by a light bagel-brunch..
PublicViewing and Conversation about the PBS film, My American Girls
24 September • Miller Forum• 8:00pm to 10:00pm
The PBS film My American Girls: A Dominican Story (2000)captures the joys and struggles of the Ortiz family, first generation immigrants from the Dominican Republic living in Brooklyn, New York.The film captures the rewards—and costs—of pursuing the American dream. From hardworking parents, who imagine retiring to their rural homeland, to fast-tracking American-born daughters, caught between their parent's values and their own, the film encompasses the contradictions of contemporary immigrant life. This program will include a public viewing of the film followed by a discussion of acculturation,citizenship and American values with the filmmaker, Aaron Matthews,and the Ortiz family.
Forumon Labor and Economics in the New World Order
25 September • Miller Forum, Moyer Hall • 7:00pm to 9:00pm
A panel composed of invited guests from grassroots organizations,labor, government, and the corporate sector, who will debate issues of relevance to the global marketplace. Topics of discussion might include multinational corporations, world trade, migrant labor, international “modernization” and “development” initiatives (IMF, World Bank, USAID), sweatshops,foreign aid, and others.
Veterans Reception
26 September • Miller Forum, Moyer Hall • 5:00pm to 8:00pm
Join Muhlenberg faculty, staff, friends, and alumni with service in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and Afghanistan in an informal reception setting to talk about the particularly personal perspective that the individual soldier brings to larger transnational conflicts. Col. Norman McDaniel, who spent six and a half years as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam, will offer a keynote address. This reception is co-sponsored by the Office of Alumni Relations.
SpokenWord Performance by John Trudell
PLEASE NOTE THE OCTOBER DATE:
28 October • Lithgow Science Auditorium • Time TBA
John Trudell is a poet, singer, and longtime activist for Native American rights and freedoms. He was the national spokesperson of the Indians of AllTribes Occupation of Alcatraz Island in 1969. He was the National Chairmanof the American Indian Movement (1973-1979) at a time of great turbulence and intensity for Native Americans, culminating in the siege of Pine Ridge Reservation, the Occupation of Wounded Knee, the Jumping Bull Incident (2FBI agents, 1 Native American were killed) and the years of trials and continuous attacks following these events. Mr. Trudell's poetic talent surfaced after an immense tragedy - in 1979, he lost his wife and three children when a fire of suspicious origin burned down his home on the Shoshone Paiute Reservationin Nevada. Trudell has since released three books of poetry, three CDs (both musical and spoken word pieces), and has appeared in three feature films including "Thunderheart" and "Smoke Signals."
Also Part of the Programmatic Theme
This Land is Whose Land? : TheImportance of Places in Jewish and Christian Theology
Fall Mini-course 2002 • Sponsored by the Institute of Jewish-Christian Understanding
This six-week series will lead us through study and discussion of human attachment to land and place, and of attempts to find God in a land or place. The theories of Mircea Eliade and J. Z. Smith, contemporary film clips, and the images of Disney World, shopping malls, and the perfect Torolawn will all be used to bring alive the issues. The place of Jerusalem in Judaism and Christianity and the importance of "the Land" will be among the topics covered. Jewish leaders from the local and regional area will join Dr. Pahl in leading discussion.
A Morning Call/Muhlenberg College Public Opinion Poll on American Political Identity
Dr. Christopher Borick, director of the Muhlenberg College Institutefor Public Opinion, has agreed to put a series of polls out into the Allentown and College community that will address issues related to American citizenship. Questions might relate to the topics of civic responsibility, patriotism, US domestic and foreign policy, the war,or similar issues. Polls may also be related to more specific themes of particular programs (i.e., the flag as a national symbol).
“Go Ye Therefore…
One Church's Experience with Globalization”
February 2-4, 2003
A companion program to the Center for Ethics 2002 theme
“Patriotism in a Global Era: The Boundaries of Home"
This three-day event will bring together leaders from within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to discuss issues of globalization and religion.
Worship
2 February • Egner Memorial Chapel • 1:00 pm
Thisweek's worship time will focus on music from around the world and a global message. All members of the campus community are invited to this liturgy.
Classvisits and discussion with panelists
3 February
Panelists:
Rev. Kim Erno
Rev. Erno presently serves as the director for ELCA programs at The Lutheran Center in Mexico City, Mexico. Previously, he was a pastor in Washington, D.C., working with the El Salvadoran community and undocumented immigrants.
Charles Mohn
Mr. Mohn is affiliated with the ELCA Companion Synod Program, which links Lutheran synods in the U.S. with synods around the world. He will address the experience of the Northeastern Pa. Synod with companion synods in Argentina and Uruguay, Saxony, Slovenia and Tanzania.
Rev. C. Michael Peters
Rev. Peters is Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Robesonia, Pa. He is a veteran of the Vietnam War and served as a missionary in Japan from 1986-89.
Rev. Elizabeth Senft
Rev. Senft most recently served as the director of church relations for Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS). LIRS worked directly with the federal government to resettle refugees, including the “LostBoys of Sudan.” Rev. Senft will speak about LIRS and the relationship of church and state.
Dr. Erica Sutherland
Dr. Sutherland, assistant professor of Spanish at Muhlenberg College, works with Spanish-speaking immigrants and the Lutheran congregation of San Martin de Porres in Allentown. She will address issues of being a professor and working with church and community.
Dr. Kathryn Wolford
Dr. Wolford is the president of Lutheran World Relief (LWR), which works primarily to serve the needs of the poor around the world. LWR provides food, water, shelter, healthcare, clothing, education and community organization.
Please note: Not all panelists are available for class discussion on both Monday and Tuesday. Contact Chaplain Peter Bredlau for availability and scheduling.
Informationtables about the panelists' work and organizations,
3 February • Seegers Union lobby
Paneldiscussion on ELCA efforts around the world
3 February • Miller Forum, Moyer Hall •7:30 pm
Classvisits and discussion with panelists
4 February
(Panelist information listed above)
