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Democracy? in America? in the Age of the Internet?

Monday, March 8, 2004, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Xavier 201, Nordquist Lecture Hall

MARK DODSON,
University of Washington, Tacoma, president of ASUWT and
author of "Social Movements and the Internet"
ROBERT P. ERICKSEN,
Professor of History, PLU, and author of “Theologians under Hitler”
AMANDA FELLER,
Assistant Professor, Communication & Theater, PLU
TIM SMITH,
founder of the Bill of Rights Defense Committee—Tacoma

As Election Year 2004 heats up, we invite you to step back for a moment with us and ask:
HOW IS THE INTERNET CHANGING DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA IN THE 21ST CENTURY?
The Internet, of course, is a symbol for contemporary technology generally – especially, but not exclusively, in the realm of media and telecommunications.

From the public outcry about changes in the FCC's cross-ownership rule and media concentration to the changing nature of modern political campaigns, from the military's embrace of Information Operations as a part of warfare to how the public deals with 24/7 exposure to breaking events around the world, from Karl Rove to the digital divide, from talk radio to electronic eavesdropping, from the possibility of electronic voting fraud to the blossoming of the alternative press on the Internet, there's no lack of things to discuss!

Our distinguished panel of scholars and activists will begin the evening by offering some insights and observations, followed by Q&A from the audience. Then, as a case study, we'll discuss an attempt to use new technologies to bypass the media system, watching and discussing about 25 minutes of the film "Uncovered," the documentary film about the Iraq war that Hollywood producer Robert Greenwald made to be distributed through the Internet and shown in private setting. Finally, the audience will break into small "focus groups" to discuss issues related to DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA IN THE AGE OF THE INTERNET.

Panelists will ask questions like:
--How are citizens using the Internet and other modern technologies politically?
--What sorts of new political groups and new democratic practices has the Internet made possible, and how has it changed existing groups and practices?
--Is the Internet making politics more or less responsive to public opinion?
--How is the American public responding to the Age of the Internet? How are news organizations reacting? How is your perception of news and information changing?

This event is one of an ongoing series of events organized > >and sponsored by the Peace Studies Working Group of Pacific Lutheran University, which thanks Molly Gibbs of Olympia for her assistance with Monday night's program.

On the campus of Pacific Lutheran University –Tacoma, Washington – This event is free and open to the public

The Peace Studies Working Group @ PLU – March 3, 2004
For more information, call 253-535-7219 or 253-535-7654