Dr. Amani Wazwaz discusses early forms of robots and automatons designed by such great thinkers and designers as Archytas, Al Jazzari, Leonardo da Vinci, John Joseph Merlin, Pierre Jaquet-Droz, and others. This talk is inspired by Moraine Valley’s 2019 One Book, One College on Isaac Asimov’s I Robot and MOSAICS Building Bridges Program. Visit our… Continue reading Early Designs: Early Automatons (video)
Category: Mosaics Muslim Voices in America
Avicenna: The Often Forgotten Philosopher (video
In this lecture, Professor of Communications and Literature, Dr. Amani Wazwaz discusses the life and contributions of the physician and scholar Avicenna (Ibn Sina). She explains his contributions to Philosophy and his influences on European Philosophers such as St. Thomas Aquinas. This presentation continues the lecture series begun by MOSAICS Building Bridges Program. Visit our… Continue reading Avicenna: The Often Forgotten Philosopher (video
Ms. Marvel author G. Willow Wilson Lecture Videos
We were very excited to welcome G. Willow Wilson to campus last week. Wilson, who is the author of our One Book text Ms. Marvel, gave two lectures on campus. She had much to say about heroes, identity, pop culture, and much more. She is currently the writer for Wonder Women, one of DC Comic’s… Continue reading Ms. Marvel author G. Willow Wilson Lecture Videos
A Biologist from Long Ago: The Accomplishments and Work of Al-Jahiz, a Ninth Century Polymath
This lecture introduces the early Biological and Evolutionary theories of Al Jahiz along with the observations of early Biologists. The session introduces a brief history in the many chapters of the history of Biology. This lecture is part of the MOSAICS Building Bridges Program. A Biologist from Long Ago: The Accomplishments and Work of Al-Jahiz,… Continue reading A Biologist from Long Ago: The Accomplishments and Work of Al-Jahiz, a Ninth Century Polymath
Measuring, Mapping and Observing the World: House of Wisdom Scientists (video)
This presentation discusses the quest of ninth century House of Wisdom scholars to check early scientific observations and to develop new methods of scientific research. It looks at the methods they used to calculate the circumference of the Earth as well as the position of the earth, planets, stars, and the moon. The place of… Continue reading Measuring, Mapping and Observing the World: House of Wisdom Scientists (video)
The Alchemist Chemist: The Unnecessary Divide in the Life of Jabbir Ibn Hayyan
In this lecture, Dr. Amani Wazwaz presents the life and achievements of the eighth century Muslim scholar Jabir Ibn Hayyan. The lecture introduces the role that the alchemist has played in cultural imagination and the place that Jabir ibn Hayyan has in the history of chemistry. This lecture is part of the MOSAICS Building Bridges… Continue reading The Alchemist Chemist: The Unnecessary Divide in the Life of Jabbir Ibn Hayyan
Ms. Marvel, Meaning & Modern Storytelling : A Faculty Panel (video)
In preparation visit of author G. Willow Wilson, faculty and students will the significance of the award winning comic Ms. Marvel, which is the 2018-2019 One Book selection. This event is part of the One Book, One College program on Ms. Marvel and the Graphic Novel Symposium. Ms. Marvel, Meaning & Modern Storytelling: A Faculty… Continue reading Ms. Marvel, Meaning & Modern Storytelling : A Faculty Panel (video)
The Mosaics Program, G. Willow Wilson, and Ms. Marvel (podcast)
Tommy Hensel, Director of the Fine and Performing Arts Center, discusses the program Mosaics: Muslim Voices in America. He discuses previous and upcoming programming with a special emphasis on This is part of our One Book programming and our Graphic Novel Symposium. The Mosaics Program, G. Willow Wilson, and Ms. Marvel The audio of… Continue reading The Mosaics Program, G. Willow Wilson, and Ms. Marvel (podcast)
Video: Pursuing Creativity with a Purpose: Filmmaker Qasim Basir
For over 100 years of film and TV, the narrative of this country, and much of the world, has been controlled by a small group of people. And it has shaped the way people see different cultures, faiths, and communities – many times, in an imbalanced way. It has only been in the last 20-30… Continue reading Video: Pursuing Creativity with a Purpose: Filmmaker Qasim Basir
The Role of the House of Wisdom: Translating, Preserving and Creating New Knowledge in Mosques, Schools, and Libraries
This interactive lecture introduces the value placed on libraries, mosques, schools, and the House of Wisdom during the Golden Age of Islam, for this is where the vibrant culture of learning and discoveries thrived. It looks at the respected place given to librarians, translators, scientists, philosophers, and thinkers who translated and studied books from different… Continue reading The Role of the House of Wisdom: Translating, Preserving and Creating New Knowledge in Mosques, Schools, and Libraries