German experts on U.S. foreign policy to address European perspective

Detlef Junker and Philipp Gassert of the Center for American Studies at Germany's University of Heidelberg, will deliver the Carroll R. Pauley Memorial Lecture "The American Century and Beyond: Two German Perspectives" Sept. 7 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The lecture begins at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Nebraska Union, 1400 R St. The talk is free and open to the public.

From the viewpoint of German experts in the field of American studies, Junker and Gassert will provide an overview of U.S. foreign policy over the past several decades. They will focus particularly on the U.S. role in the world since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the war on terror. The European response to U.S. policy, both from traditional critics and allies of the United States, will be explored.

"Detlef Junker and Philipp Gassert are among the most knowledgeable and perceptive scholars of American history working in Germany today," said UNL historian Alan Steinweis. "In view of the recent strains in America's relationship with Germany and other European allies, I think it is vitally important for us to give serious consideration to their analysis of America's evolving role in the world."

Junker has taught American history since 1975 at Heidelberg, where he is director of the Center for American Studies. He is the author of several books, most recently "America: Power and Mission."

Gassert is the executive director of the Center for American Studies and is a former fellow at the German Historical Institute in Washington, D.C. Among Gassert's publications is the book "America in the Third Reich," a study of Nazi perceptions of the United States.

The talk is sponsored by The Carroll R. Pauley Endowment and the UNL Department of History.

CONTACT: Alan Steinweis, Assoc. Professor, History, (402) 472-3257