The College of Liberal Arts at UNLV presents the University Forum spring lecture series. Free and open to the public, the University Forum brings experts from UNLV and across the nation to discuss a range of political, social and cultural topics. The following lectures will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History located at UNLV. For more information, visit or call the College of Liberal Arts, (702) 895-3401.
Tuesday, April 14
Battle Born, Battle Worn: The Case for a New Nevada Constitution
Two-thirds of U.S. states have adopted new versions of their constitutions since their founding; however, Nevada has not revised its constitution. UNLV Boyd School of Law Professor Tuan Samahon will discuss why Nevada should review its constitution to ensure it reflects the evolving needs of citizens.
Thursday, April 23
Dreaming Blackness: Black Nationalism and African-American Public Opinion
Professor Melanye Price, assistant professor of government at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, will discuss her new book, "Dreaming Blackness." She will talk about some of the ways African-Americans have come to understand Black Nationalism, an ideology important to the Black Power movement of the 1960s. Co-sponsored by UNLV's political science, women's studies, and public administration, sociology and history departments.
Friday, April 24
Composer in Sight: Perspectives of a Blind Composer
Professor Koray Sazli, the director of the audio design program at Yildiz Technical University in Istanbul, Turkey, began to lose his eyesight at age eight. He abandoned his childhood dream of playing professional soccer and pursued piano and classical guitar. He enrolled in a conservatory in Istanbul and later earned a doctorate in classical composition from Boston University. Sazili will explain how he overcame personal challenges to become an accomplished guitarist, pianist and composer. Co-sponsored by the College of Art and Design, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Thursday, May 14
The Ancient Anasazi Flute and its Music
Scott August - a composer, producer and performing artist - will explore the history of the traditional, end-blown Native-American flute. He will talk about the recovery of the flute as a musical artifact as well as its construction, tuning, and traditional uses. The evening includes a performance of various types of Anasazi flutes and August will perform some samples of his music from his album, "Lost Canyon." Co-sponsored by UNLV's anthropology and ethnic studies department.
