University Forum is a free public lecture series sponsored by the UNLV College of Liberal Arts and underwritten by the Jerry Kalafatis Lodge Charitable Foundation and the UNLV Foundation. Unless otherwise noted, the following lectures will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History, located on the UNLV campus. The lectures are free and open to the public.
April 2
Location: Koch Auditorium (South of Lied Library)
"'Memoirs of A Woman of Pleasure' and the Literary Culture of 18 th Century Britain"
Robert Folkenflik, professor of English and comparative literature at the University of California, Irvine, will discuss how John Cleland's "Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure" brought the literature of the boudoir to 18 th century middle-class readers and explore its relevance considering the recent spread of pornography across the Internet.
April 3
Location: Doc Rando Hall, Beam Music Center (Near Judy Bailey Theater)
Time: 7:00 p.m.
"The Trombone and the Pipe Organ"
UNLV Department of Music professor Ken Hanlon will offer an historical background of the trombone and organ, particularly their importance in the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches from the 16 th through 20 th centuries. As part of the presentation, important works from the era will be performed on UNLV's new pipe organ.
April 7
"From Almonds to Zhoof: A Reading by Richard Stern"
Richard Stern, professor emeritus at the University of Chicago, will read from his celebrated new work of fiction, "From Almonds to Zhoof: Collected Stories." Stern is the author of 21 books and winner of numerous literary awards, including the prestigious Medal of Merit for the Novel awarded by the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters.
April 15
"A Poetry Reading by Marilyn Chin"
Acclaimed Chinese-American Poet and San Diego State University professor Marilyn Chin will read selections from her work, which includes "Rhapsody in Plain Yellow" and "The Terrace Empty." Chin has been honored with four Pushcart Prizes, the PEN Josephine Miles Award, and numerous National Endowments for the Arts fellowships.
April 19
"Is Manliness Obsolete?"
Harvard University Professor of Government Harvey C. Mansfield will explore whether the concept of manliness has become obsolete in our current gender-neutral society. Historically, men have generally held a confident belief in male superiority, but there have always been critics of this ideology. Mansfield will employ selected classic works to explore the idea.
April 28
"Water Follies: The Impact of Groundwater Pumping on the Environment"
Robert Glennon, University of Arizona professor of law, will discuss the environmental catastrophe that has occurred due to the over-pumping of aquifers in the United States. He will illustrate the scope of the problem with cases from around the country that show what happens when greed and stubbornness cause humans to ignore reality.
