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"Ignorance is Strength"

Shaping Realities and Politics in the Middle East

The Middle East Committee presents two days of discussion, presentations, film, and poster board activities dedicated to critically exploring the use of images and text by media outlets and political agencies in constructing realities and politics in the Middle East. With an emphasis on conditions in Iraq and Afghanistan, the focus of the events is to highlight how images and language shape the ways in which American perceptions of realities and policies are constructed. Community members and College of DuPage students, faculty and staff are encouraged to actively participate in all events. Speakers and topics may change slightly in response to current events prior to October and November. All events in SRC 2800

Day 1: Monday, October 11, 2004
9:00 a.m., Tammie Bob:
“Militants, Moderates, Settlers, Insurgents : How news media typecasts in the Middle East.”

10:00 a.m., Michael P. Lynch:
“Truth, Power and Democracy.”
Michael P. Lynch is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Connecticut. He has published a number of books and articles on the nature of truth. His most recent book is True to Life: Why Truth Matters, published by M.I.T. Press.

11:30 a.m., Carol Riphenburg:
“Newspeak 2004: The Absurdity of Stateless Democracy in Afghanistan”

Day 2: Monday, November 1, 2004
9:00 a.m. , Christine Monnier:
“Justifying the Unjustifiable: The Linguistic Construction of Acceptable Torture.”

10:00 a.m., Film: Control Room
This ambitious documentary attempts to answer the question, "Is America radicalizing or stabilizing the Arab world?" The film provides a balanced view of news network Al-Jazeera's presentation of the second Iraq war to their worldwide Arab audience, and in so doing calls into question many of the prevailing images portrayed by the U.S. media. At times the film suggests that Al Jazeera's views might actually be more in tune with democratic ideals than those of its Western counterparts. (Chicago Tribune)

11:30 a.m., Film: Control Room
Discussion

The “Doublethink” project is sponsored by the Office of Academic Affairs, The Office of International Education, and the Middle East Committee.