Campus Briefs Fall 2012 Week 4

President Speaker Series Discusses the Arab Spring

Reza Aslan is coming to the Santa Clara campus Oct. 11 for the President's Speaker Series, speaking on The Promise and Perils of the Arab Spring. 

Aslan is a Santa Clara graduate of '95 and an author , a scholar of religions, and a major commentator on Islamic issues. 

He is currently the president and CEO of Aslan Media Inc., a media company focused on the Greater Middle East and its diaspora communities. He is also president of AppOvation Labs, a mobile applications company. 

His goal is to begin a new era of Islamic democracy. "Extremism is winding down," he said, "yet media coverage suggests the opposite." 

Aslan thought that the recent cover of Newsweek, entitled "Muslims Rage" was trying to capitalize on turmoil in its own way. In response, Aslan helped turn what seemed like an attempt to prompt online discussion into an internet laughing stock by ridiculing the respected magazine. 

Sacred Texts in the Public Sphere

The Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education at Santa Clara is currently holding lectures that have to do with the way sacred texts impact issues such as democracy, war, gay marriage, the economy, the presidency and immigration. The lectures, titled "Sacred Texts in the Public Sphere," held their first lecture on Oct. 2 and will run until Nov. 6. 

Some sacred texts that will be used are the Christian Scriptures and Hebrew Bible. Scriptures and biblical references have been used in the campaigns of President Barack Obama and vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan. 

The Center hosted a lecture by Kristin Heyer this past Tuesday, in which she discussed scriptural politics of immigration. The next lecture hosted by the Center will be on Tuesday, Oct. 16. Daniel M. Bell, Jr., Professor of Theology and Ethics, will be lecturing the scriptural politics of war, also discussing the public discourse of morality and war.

Vice Presidential Debates

Vice-Presidential candidates Joe Biden and Paul Ryan will face off in debate tomorrow evening in Danville, Kentucky. The event, which is scheduled to air at 9 p.m. Eastern, will be aired in Kennedy Commons  at 6 p.m. Pacific. 

Since the debate last week, a recent poll conducted by the Pew Research Center shows a drop in support for President Obama. A poll conducted in September revealed that 51 percent of registered voters said they would support President Obama yet after the first presidential debate found that 46 percent of registered voters said they would vote for President Obama.

The presidential candidates will face off twice more in the coming weeks. On Oct. 16, the second presidential debate will be aired in the Williman Room in Lower Benson at 6 p.m. The third presidential debate is scheduled to be aired in the Dunne Hall basement lounge on Oct. 22 at 6 p.m.

From staff reports. Contact news@thesantaclara.com or call (408) 554-4852.

Corrections

In "Growing Greek Life," John Belushi's name was misspelled. (Pg. 1, Oct. 4, 2012)

In "Mass of the Holy Spirit," the photo was miscredited. It was taken by Jonathan Tadros. (Pg. 3, Oct. 4, 2012)

In "New Deferred Action Law," writer Elizabeth Ambriz-Mendez's name was misspelled. Her correct email address is eambrizmendez@scu.edu. (Pg. 4, Oct. 4, 2012)

In "New Sorority," A quote was incorrectly attributed to Katie Rualo. It was actually said by Kathryn Hackett. (Pg. 8, Oct. 4, 2012)

The Santa Clara strives to correct errors fully and promptly. If you see a mistake, email editor@thesantaclara.com.