Few would argue with the claim that, in the early twenty-first century, feelings of fear and anxiety are widely evident in American culture. Fear of terrorism, anxiety over the impact of global warming and other environmental disasters, uncertainty about the cost and availability of energy resources, and the affordability of healthcare are prominent among the manifold fears that now shape our times. Given current realities, these fears are not surprising. However, there is a growing feeling that fear is spiraling out of control on both the personal and cultural levels. Certainly, fear has become a dominant theme in American politics and public policy.

In the first semester of this year’s lecture series, we will analyze the causes and survey the development of the so-called “culture of fear.” An investigation of the roots of fear can provide a better understanding of this phenomenon and set the stage for a personal and public response to the various fears in America. Accordingly, in the second semester, the lecture series will explore various ways of intelligently and ethically responding to fear as it is manifest in American life.

	Next lecture: "Unmasking, Analyzing and Confronting a Culture of Fear: Terror of Mind and Spirit" Cheryl A. Kirk-Duggan, Ph.D. Professor of Theology and Women's Studies Director of Women's Studies Shaw University Divinity School Thursday, April 10, 2008 7:30 p.m. Lecture Ft. Howard Theater, Bemis International Center	The Killeen Chair of Theology and Philosophy is a resource that underscores the importance of theology and philosophy in a Catholic liberal arts education and highlights the commitment of St. Norbert College to provide an education that is personally, intellectually and spiritually challenging.
2007-08 Lecture Series All events are free and open to the public Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007 7:30 p.m. Fort Howard Theater, Bemis International Center "Fear Rules: What is Distinctive About 21st Century Fear?" Frank Furedi Professor of Sociology University of Kent >> Read Furedi's reflections on his visit to St. Norbert College Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2007 6:30 p.m. sacred music by candlelight 7:00 p.m. lecture Old St. Joseph Church " Ordo caritatis: The Ordering of Love in the 12th Century" Bernard McGinn Naomi Shenstone Donnelley Professor Emeritus The Divinity School of the University of Chicago This lecture is co-sponsored by Killeen Chair, the Center for Norbertine Studies and the Office of Mission and Heritage. Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007 7:30 p.m. Fort Howard Theater, Bemis International Center "The Moral Vocabulary of Fear" Corey Robin Associate Professor of Political Science Brooklyn College and the Graduate Center City University of New York Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007 7:30 p.m. Fort Howard Theater, Bemis International Center "From Fright to Fight: How Fear Drives Us to Wage Wars on Everything" Pat McCormick Professor of Religious Studies Gonzaga University Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008 7:30 p.m. Fort Howard Theater, Bemis International Center "An Ethic of Risk in a Culture of Fear" Scott Bader-Saye Associate Professor of Theology University of Scranton   Wednesday, Mar. 12, 2008 7:30 p.m. Fort Howard Theater, Bemis International Center "Exorcising Political Spectres with the Aid of Marx, Sartre and Derrida" William L. McBride Arthur G. Hansen Distinguished Professor of Philosophy Purdue University Thursday, Apr. 10, 2008 7:30 p.m. Fort Howard Theater, Bemis International Center "Unmasking, Analyzing and Confronting a Culture of Fear: Terror of Mind and Spirit" Cheryl A. Kirk-Duggan, Ph.D. Professor of Theology and Women's Studies Director of Women's Studies Shaw University Divinity School