Top 5 academic events for week of April 25

This week's Top 5 features two documentaries, a speaker who plans to offer a "wild suggestion" on climate change and the annual Mason Day celebration. If you have recommendations for next week's Top 5, e-mail the Academics Editor.

Monday

“A Wild Suggestion for Climate Change”

WHAT: This is the final Vision Speaker Series event for the school year and Thomas Lovejoy is expected to give an interesting speech on potential solutions to the climate change issue. Lovejoy is a professor in the Environmental Science and Policy department at Mason. The talk will discuss what further temperature increases could bring and how to go about managing the ecosystems at a planetary scale to contribute to a solution to climate change.

WHEN: 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Concert Hall

COST: Free

MORE INFO: Information on Monday’s talk and past speakers can be found here.

Tuesday

Ali Vural Ak Center for Global Islamic Studies Presents: Sarah Waheed

WHAT: Sarah Waheed, a post-doctoral scholar, will present “Disreputable Women, Islam, and Nationalist Politics: Courtesans in Late Colonial India.”

WHEN: 3:00 p.m.

WHERE: Mason Hall Room D, A & B

COST: Free

MORE INFO: Ali Vural Ak Center for Global Islamic Studies, (703) 993-5404

Wednesday

Screening and Discussion of “Poster Girl”

WHAT: “Poster Girl” tells the story of Robynn Murray, an all-American high-school cheerleader turned “poster girl” for women in combat. After returning home from Iraq, however, her tough exterior began to crack and Robynn struggled with the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). “Poster Girl” was a nominee at this year’s Academy Awards for Best Documentary, Short Subject. There will be a discussion after the movie with Murray and director Sara Nesson.

WHEN: 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Johnson Center, Cinema

COST: Free

MORE INFO: Here is the movie’s website.

Thursday

“Living for 32” Film Screening and Discussion

WHAT: Colin Goddard was shot four times in his French class at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007, but he survived and is now an activist for gun control. The film tells the story of the massacre and Colin’s journey of recovery. Colin and his father, Andy Goddard, president of the Richmond chapter of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, will be present to introduce the film and conduct a question and answer period.

WHEN: 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Johnson Center Cinema

COST: Free

MORE INFO: Department of Criminology, Law and Society, (703) 993-8315

Friday

Mason Day

WHAT: After a busy week, the annual Mason Day event might be a good way to start the weekend. The Plain White T’s will be headlining the event and there will be rides, free food and local bands performing.

WHEN: 2:00-10:00 p.m.

WHERE: Patriot Center, Lot L

COST: $10 for anyone without a valid Mason ID

MORE INFO: Mason Day website.