Since the attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, Americans and Canadians alike have questioned President George W. Bush’s motivation for going to war. Some have argued America went to war to defend the land and people from further attacks, while others claim the war is only a means for America to expand its empire.

In her talk, “9/11, Terrorism, and the Politics of Empire,” Dr. Ann Ward will focus on the concept of empire, or the American regime’s attempt to govern the world either politically or culturally, as understood and endorsed by three approaches on American foreign policy in the post-9/11 era. She will analyze the arguments reflected in the writings and speeches of Paul Wolfowitz, Colin L. Powell, and Joseph S. Nye Jr., as representative of three recognizably distinct schools of thought regarding the causes of terrorism and the projection of American power across the globe in response.

Ward is an assistant professor of Philosophy & Classics and Political Studies at Campion College at the University of Regina. Her areas of specialization include the ancient historians, classical political philosophy, 19th century political thought, and the relationship between philosophy and history. Her forthcoming book is titled “Herodotus and the Philosophy of Empire.”

This latest installment of the Faculty of Arts’ popular Coffee House Controversies series will take place Thurs., Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. in Chapters bookstore behind the Southland Mall (2625 Gordon Road).

Coffee House Controversies aims to bring the research interests of Faculty of Arts members to the community. Speakers give an informal 20-minute talk focusing on a controversial topic of interest to the general public. The talks are intended to encourage the open exchange of ideas. Twenty minutes of discussion follows each talk, during which members of the general public can ask questions or raise issues with the speaker or other audience members. The events are free and open to the public. Contact Jennifer Arends at 585-4226 for more information.