The Goodspeed Lecture Series welcomes William Beeman, a professor in both the anthropology and theater, speech and dance departments at Brown University. He will lecture on "The 'Great Satan' vs. the 'Mad Mullahs': Cultural Impediments to U.S.-Iranian Understanding" at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday (Oct. 25) in Higley Auditorium. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Beeman also serves as the director of Middle East Studies at Brown. His latest book, which focuses on the United States' relations in the Middle East, is titledThe "Great Satan" and The "Mad Mullahs": How the United States and Iran Demonize Each Other. He also is the editor ofAn Anthropologist Looks at Western Cultureand has authoredLanguage, Status and Power in Iran. Beeman has been named as president-elect for the Middle East Section of the American Anthropological Association, where he also serves as the Linguistic Seat on the Executive Board of the group. In addition, he is secretary and executive board member of the Institute for Intercultural Studies.

An accomplished vocal performer, Beeman has participated in and directed numerous operatic performances. Most recently, he played the role of Sarastro in "Die Zauberflöte" at the Longwood Opera (Mass.) in 2002. He produced and directed "Dreams and Fires" at Brown University in 2004.

Beeman currently is working on a grant from the Christensen Foundation to research traditional performances and religious shrines in Tajikistan. He earned his master's and doctoral degrees in anthropology at the University of Chicago and his bachelor's degree in anthropology from Wesleyan University (Conn.). Beeman also received a certificate in vocal performance from The Boston Conservatory.

Calendar Listing:

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville -- The Goodspeed Lecture Series welcomes anthropologist William Beeman for a lecture on "The 'Great Satan' vs. the 'Mad Mullahs': Cultural Impediments to U.S.-Iranian Understanding"; 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday (Oct. 25); Higley Auditorium (100 Ridge Road). Free and open to the public. Contact (740) 587-6241 to confirm information.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

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