Iran is the focus of the 2013 Winter Lecture Series at the Unitarian Church, 6300 A St.
The series, "Understanding Iran," is free and open to the public, offering lectures 7 to 9 p.m., Sundays, Jan. 20 to March 10. The lecture series is also a one-credit seminar or three-credit independent study course (AGRO 496-002/AGRO 896-002) at UNL, taught by Charles Francis, professor of agronomy and horticulture.
Touraj Daryaee, professor at the University of California, Irvine, opens the series on Jan. 20. He will discuss "Magi and Kings: The Iranians in World History."
Refreshments and discussion follow the lectures. Each presentation will be posted online at http://www.prairiefirenewspaper.com within a week of delivery.
For more information, contact Francis at cfrancis2@unl.edu or 402-472-1581.
Other lectures in the series:
Jan. 27 — "Evolving Iran: The Theocracy Deals with the 21st Century," Barbara Flanagan, Central Washington University
Feb. 3 — No lecture (Super Bowl Sunday)
Feb. 10 — "Iranian Literature and Culture," Franklin Lewis, University of Chicago
Feb. 17 — "Iran Before and After the Arab Spring," Mahmood Monshipouri, San Francisco State University
Feb. 24 — "Religion and Politics in Iran and Turkey: A Comparative Perspective," Ramazan Kilinc, University of Nebraska at Omaha
March 3 — "Relations Between the Governments of Iran and the United States," to be presented by a representative of the U.S. State Department
March 10 — Dinner with Iranian cuisine followed by a panel discussion with Iranian people and local scholars of the region (requires advance registration, begins at 6 p.m.)