Walter H. Capps Center (audio)

George Packer, staff writer for “The New Yorker,” argues that President Obama’s policy on Afghanistan, and the war itself, show how difficult it is for the U.S. to send troops into combat without trying to change another country’s politics as well. He contends it makes success unlikely. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 20261]

One of the world’s leading commentators on religious affairs, Karen Armstrong discusses the intersection of religion and secularism in contemporary life. She explores the ideas that Islam, Judaism and Christianity have in common and their effect on world events. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Humanities] [Show ID: 18580]

The global community faces new challenges and needs to be able to imagine a truly diverse and multi-polar world in which shared leadership is the norm. Kavita N. Ramdas, President and CEO of the Global Fund for Women, discusses how we can look to the women’s movement globally as a source of innovation and inspiration that offers tangible examples to address the most pressing issues of our time. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 19390]

Vali Nasr discusses the premise of his new new book, “Forces of Fortune,” that the great battle for the soul of Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the entire region will eventually be fought not over religion, but over business and capitalism as the Muslim middle class grows. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 18579]

Sister Joan D. Chittister, a Benedictine nun, discusses how culture changes and the implications those changes have for contemporary spirituality. She focuses on the stages of revitalization, global definitions of the seven capital sins, and American society as it moves into the 21st century. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Humanities] [Show ID: 16612]

Author and nondenominational pastor Brian McLaren discusses what he considers to be the most imperative global crises, how Christians are equipped to grapple with them, and how Christians can join with people of other backgrounds as advocates for change. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Humanities] [Show ID: 16611]

How does America treat its veterans? An independent journalist specializing in the impacts of war, Aaron Glantz, provides a devastating indictment of the Bush administration for its blatant neglect of soldiers and its disingenuous reneging on their benefits. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 16609]

Henry A. Schimberg, former CEO of Coca-Cola, discusses the ethical and moral responsibilities of companies and corporate culture. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Business] [Show ID: 15109]

Walter Capps’ legendary course, “The Impact of the Vietnam War on American Religion and Culture,” was first taught in 1978, was regularly attended by 900 UCSB undergraduates, and was featured three times on CBS’s 60 Minutes. The still popular course has been taught since 1995 by Richard Hecht, Department of Religious Studies, UCSB who will moderate this Vietnam class reunion. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Humanities] [Show ID: 15108]

Jeffrey Sachs says high ethical standards within the business and corporate sector are critical not just in some narrow sense but for maintaining a good and just society. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Business] [Show ID: 15110]

While religious conservatives sometimes claim the banner of faith-based politics for themselves, Congressman David Price (D-NC) explores the religious and moral roots of politics across the left-right spectrum. He focuses on the passion and conviction that faith brings to politics, the constraints on power (political and otherwise) it inspires, and the theologically-based humility that tempers our engagement. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 15131]

Alyce Faye Eichelberger discusses her life and travels. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Business] [Show ID: 15111]

Veteran FBI staff attorney Coleen Rowley details how the FBI dismissed reports from her office that may have led the Bureau to the center of Al Qaeda’s 9/11 plot. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 15113]

As a professor of religious studies at the UC Santa Barbara for more than three decades, Walter Capps influenced thousands of students. Many went on to careers in teaching and research and carried his legacy into their own work. Richard Hecht, Professor of Religious Studies, UC Santa Barbara, addresses the impact of the Vietnam War, and Edward Linenthal, Professor of History, Indiana University and editor of the Journal of American History, speaks about Capps and Congress. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Humanities] [Show ID: 14968]

As a professor of religious studies at the UC Santa Barbara for more than three decades, Walter Capps influenced thousands of students. Many went on to careers in teaching and research and carried his legacy into their own work. Robert Orsi, of Northwestern University, speaks on Capps’ contribution to the ethos and ethics of religious studies; and Giles Gunn, Professor of English and of Global and International Studies, UC Santa Barbara, looks at international politics. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Humanities] [Show ID: 14967]

Acknowledged as the common patriarch of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Abraham links these three cultures throughout the Middle East. William Ury, co-founder and director of the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School, explores ways that programs like the Abraham Path Initiative, which he chairs, can serve as a bridge to a lasting peace in the Middle East and how the story of Abraham has the power to inspire cross-cultural exchange and mutual understanding. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 14354]

Mario T. Garcia, author of several books on Mexican American leaders, is the editor of the recently released collection of César Chávez’s reflections on a variety of spiritual topics such as the power of faith, self-sacrifice, nonviolence, social justices, fasting, and pilgrimage. A panel discussion follows introductory remarks. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Humanities] [Show ID: 14358]

Lee Hamilton, co-chair of the Iraq Study Group and the 9/11 Commission, discusses how America can accomplish its goals in the world while recognizing the limitations of our power. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 14357]

Lynn Hunt, UCLA Professor of Modern European History, discusses the genesis of human rights, a concept that only came to the forefront during the eighteenth century. When the American Declaration of Independence declared all men are created equal and the French proclaimed the Declaration of the Rights of Man during their revolution, they were bringing a new guarantee into the world. But why then? How did such a revelation come to pass? Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 14182]

Anne Hastings, Executive Director of Fonkoze, Haiti’s largest microfinance institution, has searched the globe for a solution to the problem of extreme poverty. In countries as far apart as Bangladesh and Haiti efforts to combat even the most extreme types of poverty are now proving effective at relatively little cost per family. Based on her review of experimental and innovative approaches worldwide, Hastings describes the role that microfinance, education, health care, and case management play in eradicating poverty. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 14219]