Biblical scholar Robert Alter argues that the distinctive organizing literary conventions and techniques of the Bible have been lost. He shows how a recovery of these conventions enables us to see more sharply what is going on in the Bible. Series: "Taubman Symposia in Jewish Studies" [Humanities] [Show ID: 12252]

Vali Nasr, author of "The Shia Revival," and UC San Diego sociologist Gershon Shafir explore the tensions between the Shiites and Sunnis and how the longstanding rivalries have affected the Middle East in this discussion led by historian Michael Bernstein, the dean of UCSD's Division of Arts and Humanities. Series: "Body Politic, The" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 12120]

University of Chicago Law Professor Martha Nussbaum traces the philosophical and historical origins of the American tradition of liberty of conscience by looking at the career and writings of Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island and author of important works about religious freedom. Series: "UC Berkeley Graduate Lectures" [Humanities] [Show ID: 11996]

On this edition of Frontiers, Madhavi Sunder and Keith Watenpaugh, discuss how Muslims are dealing with human rights and working to transform their societies from within. Then, Matthew Augustine from the UC Davis chemistry department discusses how his invention for scanning wine for spoilage could be used for airport security. Series: "UC Davis Frontiers" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 12122]

Michael Lerner, a rabbi in the Aleph Alliance for Jewish Renewal, has been an outspoken advocate for rejecting what he considers to be ethnocentric interpretations of the Torah. Lerner's publications promote religious pluralism and liberal approaches to political problems. He has worked to build bridges with Muslim leaders around such issues as attacks against immigrant communities in the U.S. Series: "Burke Lectureship on Religion and Society" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 12028]

Robert T. Pennock, the scientist, philosopher and author of "Tower of Babel, The Evidence Against the New Creationism" speaks on the controversial movement to include intelligent design creationism in the curricula of public schools. Series: "Helen Edison Lecture Series" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 12066]

In 2006 Israel went from being essentially at peace to being embroiled in a vicious war on two fronts. Was Israel weakened in the Hezbollah War? Can the Jewish State survive? How will Israel, and Israelis, have to change, if Israel is to reach the age of 100? Join author and vice-president of the Mandel Foundation Daniel Gordis. Series: "Taubman Symposia in Jewish Studies" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 12108]

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Iranian journalist and human rights activist Akbar Ganji for a discussion of the dynamics of change in Iran. Topics covered include the Iranian Revolution in comparative context, the problem of establishing democracy in Islamic societies, power in Iran, and U.S. Iranian Relations. Ganji also talks about his work as an investigative journalist in Iran and his political imprisonment. Series: "Conversations with History" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 11934]

Nobel Peace Laureate and lawyer Shirin Ebadi of Iran describes how education can lead to peace in the Middle East and calls for an end to discrimination against women in this riveting address presented by the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice and the School of Law at the University of San Diego. Series: "Peace exChange -- Kroc School of Peace Studies, University of San Diego" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 11869]

Series of debates on extending marriage and adoption to same-sex couples co-sponsored by The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, Brigham Young University, and the UCLA Interdisciplinary Relationship Science Program. This installment of the series focuses on religion and education. Series: "Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 11913]