Nassau notes
New Yorker editor Remnick to speak
David Remnick, editor-in-chief of The New Yorker and a 1981 Princeton alumnus, will speak at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20, in McCosh 50.
In “A Conversation With David Remnick,” he will participate in a discussion with Michael Wood, the Charles Barnwell Straut Class of 1923 Professor of English and Comparative Literature, on topics ranging from Russian politics to the U.S. presidential race to famed journalist A.J. Liebling.
Remnick was a member of the University Press Club as an undergraduate and a founder of the Nassau Weekly. He joined The New Yorker as a staff writer in 1992 after 10 years at the Washington Post. He has been editor-in-chief of the magazine since 1998.
Remnick won a Pulitzer Prize in 1994 for his book “Lenin’s Tomb: The Last Days of the Soviet Empire.” In 2002, he was selected to receive the University’s Woodrow Wilson Award. His most recent book, “Reporting: Writings From The New Yorker,” was published earlier this year. His other books include “King of the World: Muhammad Ali and the Rise of an American Hero” and “Resurrection: The Struggle for a New Russia.”
The talk, designated as a Walter E. Edge Lecture, is part of the University Public Lectures Series.
“The Nutcracker” (photo: courtesy of American Repertory Ballet)
“The Nutcracker” at McCarter
A Princeton tradition for more than 40 years, the McCarter Theatre Center presents “The Nutcracker” Friday through Sunday, Nov. 23-25. The classic tale of a young girl and her magical Christmas Eve journey is danced by the American Repertory Ballet and students from the Princeton Ballet School. Ticket information can be obtained by calling the McCarter box office at 258-2787 or visiting www.mccarter.org.
Panel examines Eisgruber book on Supreme Court appointment process
Princeton Provost Christopher Eisgruber will join scholars and legal experts in a discussion of his new book, “The Next Justice: Repairing the Supreme Court Appointments Process,” at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, in Dodds Auditorium, Robertson Hall.
In the book, Eisgruber examines the politics and history of the Supreme Court and offers recommendations for fixing the appointments process for judges. Eisgruber argues that the current process is long on partisan rancor and short on serious discussion, and that it should focus on investigating nominees’ views on a key question about the court’s role: When and why is it beneficial for judges to trump the decisions of elected officials?
Eisgruber will be joined on the panel by: Michael Dorf, a law professor at Columbia University; Jan Crawford Greenburg, an ABC News correspondent who covers law and politics; Ron Klain, who held numerous positions in the Clinton administration, including leading the team that won confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg; and David Yalof, a professor of political science at the University of Connecticut. Kim Scheppele, director of Princeton’s Program in Law and Public Affairs, will moderate the discussion.
Eisgruber, who became the University’s provost in 2004, is the Laurance S. Rockefeller Professor of Public Affairs in the Woodrow Wilson School and the University Center for Human Values. He also is the former director of the Program in Law and Public Affairs, which is sponsoring the event. His other books include “Religious Freedom and the Constitution” (with Lawrence Sager) and “Constitutional Self-Government.”
James Brown (photo: courtesy of Michael Ochs Archives)
Conference focuses on legacy of James Brown, Nov. 29-30
The life, career and cultural impact of one of America's most influential musicians, James Brown, will be discussed in a conference Thursday and Friday, Nov. 29-30, in Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall.
"'Ain't That a Groove': The Genius of James Brown" will feature scholars and critics from around the country as well as Brown's former tour manager, Alan Leeds, and musician and producer Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson of the Roots.
Brown, known as "The Godfather of Soul," died in December 2006 at age 73 after a half-century as one of America's best-selling musical artists. With hits such as "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag," "I Got You (I Feel Good)" and "Say It Loud -- I'm Black and I'm Proud," Brown's pioneering rhythm-and-blues and funk styles influenced countless pop, rock and hip-hop artists.
A screening of a concert film and a panel discussion will kick off the conference from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 29. A series of three roundtables will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 30, followed by closing remarks by Cornel West, Princeton's Class of 1943 University Professor in the Center for African American Studies.
The conference is open to the public, but due to limited space registration is encouraged. For more information and to register, visit www.princeton.edu/ africanamericanstudies/ news/ events/ jamesbrown.xml.
The conference was organized by Daphne Brooks, associate professor of English and African American studies. It is sponsored by the Center for African American Studies, the Office of the President, the Office of the Vice President for Campus Life, the University Center for Human Values, the Department of English, the Department of History, the Program in American Studies, the Department of Music and the Program in the Study of Women and Gender.
Pulitzer-winning reporter speaks on ‘Curveball’ intelligence controversy
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Bob Drogin of The Los Angeles Times will discuss his book “Curve-ball: Spies, Lies and the Con Man Who Caused a War” at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 26, in Dodds Auditorium, Robertson Hall.
Drogin’s book details the story of “Curveball,” the name given by Western intelligence officials to an Iraqi informant who, in leading up to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, was a key source for claims that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction.
Drogin has covered intelligence and national security in the Washington bureau of The Los Angeles Times since 1998. He previously spent a decade as a foreign correspondent, reporting on the first Gulf War and other news in some 50 countries. He has won or shared numerous journalism prizes, including the Pulitzer Prize, an Overseas Press Club of America Award and two Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards.
The lecture is sponsored by the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.
Workshop will explore Pettit’s work
The influential work of Princeton philosopher Philip Pettit is the focus of a workshop scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, in 101 McCormick Hall.
The event, “Common Minds: Themes From the Philosophy of Philip Pettit,” shares the title of a volume of critical essays evaluating Pettit’s body of work recently published by Oxford University Press.
Pettit, the Laurance S. Rockefeller University Professor of Politics and the University Center for Human Values, has made seminal contributions in moral philosophy, political philosophy, philosophy of the social sciences, philosophy of mind and action, and metaphysics. He joined the Princeton faculty in 2002 from Australian National University.
Speakers will include philosophy scholars David Braddon-Mitchell of the University of Sydney and Philip Gerrans of the University of Adelaide, former doctoral students of Pettit’s at Australian National University. Pettit will respond to their comments.
Pettit’s books include “The Common Mind,” “Republicanism,” “A Theory of Freedom,” “Rules, Reasons and Norms” and the forthcoming “Made With Words: Hobbes on Mind, Society and Politics.”
The event is sponsored by the University Center for Human Values.
Grassroots development is topic
Strengthening Grassroots Business: Innovative Approaches to Empowering the Poor and Disadvantaged” is the title of a lecture scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, in 16 Robertson Hall.
The talk will be presented by Harold Rosen, director of the Grassroots Business Initiative, an organization started by the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corp. to support sustainable economic opportunities for poor communities around the world. Rosen has led the Grassroots Business Initiative since 2003.
The talk is sponsored by the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and the Davis International Center.
Gold aureus of the Roman emperor Titus (photo: courtesy of Department of Rare Books and Special Collections
Exhibition of rare books, coins, medals and manuscripts
“Numismatics in the Renaissance,” an exhibition of rare books, coins, medals and manuscripts, is on view in the main gallery of Firestone Library through July 20. The exhibition features artifacts from the University Numismatic Collection, including coins and medals of the Renaissance and the ancient Greek and Roman coins that inspired them. Among these pieces are this gold aureus of the Roman emperor Titus, who ruled from 79-81 A.D.
‘Performing the Sacred’ set
A showcase of dance, drama, music, song, spoken-word and other performances focusing on the theme of sacredness is set for 9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19, in the University Chapel.
“Performing the Sacred” will feature the dance troupes diSiac, eXpressions, Kalaa and Naacho; the singing groups Koleinu, Lux, Old NasSoul, the Wildcats and the University Gospel Ensemble; the Black Arts Company: Drama; and other student performance groups.
The event is organized by the Religious Life Council and sponsored by several University offices.
