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BYU panel, author to discuss action against terrorism Feb. 19 and 26

Jean Bethke Elshtain's "Just War Against Terror: The Burden of American Power in a Violent World"

Jean Bethke Elshtain, the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Professor of Social and Political Ethics in the Divinity School at the University of Chicago, will discuss "The Burden of American Power and Responsibility" on Thursday, Feb. 26, at 3 p.m. in the Harold B. Lee Library auditorium on the Brigham Young University campus.

Prior to Elshtain's visit to campus, a group of prominent BYU scholars will discuss the major ideas and logic presented in her book on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 11 a.m. in 238 Herald R. Clark Building. Panelists will be Sally Barlow, professor of psychology; John Tanner, professor of English; Valerie Hudson, professor of political science; and Brian Hauglid, assistant professor of ancient scripture.

The public is welcome to attend both events.

As an answer to the question of when is war justified, Elshtain presents a unique argument for action in her book "Just War Against Terror: The Burden of American Power in a Violent World."

She has authored many books, including the "Jane Addams Reader," "Jane Addams and the Dream of American Democracy" and "Who Are We? Critical Reflections and Hopeful Possibilities."

In addition, Elshtain edited "The Family in Political Thought," co-edited "Women, Militarism, and War," co-authored "But Was It Just? Reflections on the Morality of the Persian Gulf War" and edited "Politics and the Human Body" and "Just War Theory."

In 1996, Elshtain was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She is the recipient of seven honorary degrees. She is co-chair of the recently established Pew Forum on Religion and American Public Life.

This lecture is sponsored by the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies. For more information see News and Events or the calendar online at http://kennedy.byu.edu.

Writer: Lee Simons

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