Why read the classics? Western's George Mariz will present reasons April 11

George Mariz, history professor and director of the Honors Program at Western Washington University, will present “Why Read the Classics: The Enduring Value of Great Literature” at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 11, in Communications Facility Room 110.

The event is free, open to the public and is part of WWU’s Turning Points Faculty Speaker Series, which celebrates and shares the wealth of knowledge and talent on Western’s campus.

Mariz will discuss four literary classics, including Homer’s “Odyssey,” Aeschylus’ “Oresteia,” Shakespeare’s “King Lear” and Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “The Idiot.” He will illustrate how these works inform us about the time period in which they were composed. In the words of Matthew Arnold, as quoted by Mariz, these works and their authors “see life steadily and see it whole” in a way that few others have been able to do. Mariz will strive to interpret themes and characters in these classics that he believes embody permanent qualities in our existence.

Mariz holds bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Missouri, Columbia. His interests are in European intellectual history and the history of religion, particularly the Protestant clergy. He began teaching at Western as an associate professor of history in 1976 and became the director of the Honors Program in 1987.

For more information about the Turning Points faculty speaker series call (360) 650-7545 or visit http//www.wwu.edu/turningpoints. Sponsored by the Western Washington University Foundation, the Turning Points Faculty Speaker Series celebrates the wealth of knowledge and talent on Western’s campus. The series features one-hour talks by faculty members who are experts in their fields. No tickets are required.

No permit is required to park after 4:30 p.m. in the gravel lots 12A and the C lots
south of the Communications Facility, near Fairhaven College. Parking meters
require payment all hours.