The second part of Gettysburg College's Conflict and Resistance in the Middle East series begins on Jan. 30 with the emphasis shifting to Palestine. The reading, film, and lecture series looks at life during conflict in the Middle East. This part of the series includes book discussions, films, and lectures by internationally-recognized Middle Eastern scholars and writers. All events are free and open to the public.

"The Palestinian-Israeli conflict seems to be one of the most intractable in contemporary times. The news media bombard us with coverage of numerous parties debating certain solutions yet never finding consensus," says Professor Amy Young Evrard, one of the program's planners. "Our events will help sort through some of this rhetoric by analyzing media coverage; examining peaceful solutions offered by scholars, NGO practitioners and civil society leaders; and exploring various Palestinian and other views of the conflict through films and books."

The first event is a film screening of "Live from Bethlehem" at 7 p.m. on Jan. 30 in Bowen Auditorium, McCreary Hall. It will be followed by discussion with the filmmaker, Professor Matt Sienkiewicz. Other films include "Waltz with Bashir" on March 7 and "Promises" on March 22. After each screening, a faculty member will lead a short discussion about the film.

There are two books: "Hello Everybody!: One Journalist's Search for Truth in the Middle East" (also known as "People Like Us: Misrepresenting the Middle East")  by Joris Luyendijk and "Mornings in Jenin: A Novel" by Susan Abulhawa. Participants are invited to read each book and then join the discussions facilitated by faculty and students. On April 19, Abulhawa will visit campus for a public lecture and book signing. These books are available for purchase at a 15 percent discount at the College Bookstore.

In addition to the lecture by Abulhawa, there will be a discussion on the "Two-State Solution" by Hussein Ibish, senior fellow at the American Task Force on Palestine on Feb. 9. On March 1, Middle East scholar and author, Stephen Zunes, will visit campus to lecture on "Civil Insurrections, U.S. Foreign Policy, and the Future of the Middle East."

The Conflict and Resistance in the Middle East series is sponsored by a grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and cosponsored by Gettysburg College. For more information visit www.gettysburg.edu/library or call (717) 337-6600.

Founded in 1832, Gettysburg College is a highly selective four-year residential college of liberal arts and sciences with a strong academic tradition. Alumni include Rhodes Scholars, a Nobel laureate, and other distinguished scholars. The college, which enrolls 2,600 undergraduate students, is located on a 200-acre campus adjacent to the Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania.

Contact: Nikki Rhoads, assistant director of communications, 717.337.6803