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.
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.
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 premier titles. She has a new comic series out called Invisible Kingdom, and a new novel called The Bird King.
Additionally, Wilson explores the background and development of the character Ms. Marvel. She talks about the difference in writing a new character and writing a legacy character (such as Wonder Women). She offers advice to writers and talks about her writing process.
These events were made possible by a grant from the Association of Performing Arts Professionals; Building Bridges: Arts Culture and Identity, a component of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art.
Ms. Marvel author G. Willow Wilson (first lecture), One Book, One College, April 10, 2019
G. Willow Wilson author of Ms. Marvel (second lecture), One Book, One College, April 11, 2019
The audio of this discussion is available below:
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, a Ninth Century Polymath
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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 the observatories in the Muslim world is also addressed. This lecture is part of the MOSAICS Building Bridges Program.
Measuring, Mapping and Observing the World: House of Wisdom Scientists
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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 Program.
The Alchemist Chemist: The Unnecessary Divide in the Life of Jabbir Ibn Hayyan
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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 Panel
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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
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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 years that more diverse voices have been able to speak their truths and contribute to the re-education of a portrayal that’s been one-sided for far too long. This is the day to hear and tell the truth about who we are, in whatever medium you choose, to create a country that is meant to be “United.” Acclaimed film maker Qasim Basir will visit Moraine Valley to discuss his work and process. Special event that is part of the Mosaics: Muslim Voices in America program.
Pursuing Creativity with a Purpose: Filmmaker Qasim Basir
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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 lands, and created more knowledge and advanced understanding. Audiences will hear about a few of the many developments that occurred in these important places of learning. Special event that is part of the Mosaics: Muslim Voices in America program.
The audio of this discussion is available below:
