Anatomy Of War To Be Discussed At CWU

March 1, 2005

Contact: Djordje Popovic (509-963-1687/ fax/e-mail: popovicd@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - An interdisciplinary faculty forum on the subject of war will be held at Central Washington University on Thursday, March 3. Titled "The Anatomy of War," the free, public presentation, slated for 7 p.m. in Hertz Hall, will features faculty presentations on the sociology and philosophy of conflict, analyses of justification and depiction of recent wars, and an inquiry into political implications of war for democracy at home and abroad.

It's part of the university's multidisciplinary forum series entitled "Our Times, Our Lives: CWU World Forums."

"'The Anatomy of War' will contextualize the concept and reality of war by placing it in a framework that transcends simplistic and often inaccurate analyses permeating our public discourse," Djordje Popovic, CWU diversity education center program coordinator, says. "The hope is to offer a number of critical perspectives that will not only initiate a dialogue in our community, but will also change or expand the language we use to understand the world around us."

Dr. Paulus Pimomo, CWU English professor, will host the forum, which will feature fellow CWU professors:

• Dr. Gloria Beckley, sociology, will who discuss "Understanding Conflict: A Sociological Perspective," which will focus on a number of sociological theories and propositions to help explain international conflicts and wars;
• Dr. Jim Brown, political science, will address "Democracy, Demagoguery, and Duplicity," about governmental means to gain citizen support for war through political manipulation of its citizens.
• Dr. Eric Mayer, foreign languages, will present "Cervantes and War." In an atypical literary approach to the subject of war, Mayer will reflect on how works of fiction provide a more authentic account of war than does the presumably factual political narrative.
• Dr. Matthew Altman, philosophy, will ask "Is the War in Iraq a Just War?" Altman will give a brief history of the "Just War Theory" and will examine some of its key principles.

Thursday's forum will also include a question-and-answer session following the presentations. It's sponsored by the CWU diversity education center, philosophy club, department of foreign languages, English, foreign languages, history, philosophy and political science and sociology departments; and Latin American studies program.

For more information, or for persons of disability to arrange for reasonable accommodation, call (509) 963-1687, or (for the hearing impaired) TDD (509) 963-2143.