April 1, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures and the Alliance Française of Birmingham will present a lecture in English by political scientist Nicole Bacharan who asks the question, "Should We Fear the United States?" The lecture will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 11, in the Mary Culp Hulsey Recital Hall, 950 13th St. S. The event is free and open to the public. For more details, call UAB Associate Professor Serge Bokobza, Ph.D., at 205-934-8902.

Bacharan is an historian and political science professor specializing in American society and Franco-American relations. She is a senior fellow with la Fondation Nationale des Sciences Politiques of Paris.

The history of French anti-Americanism precedes the birth of the United States, says Bacharan, Nonetheless, "the Bush years triggered a revival without precedent of this old French passion. After a change of power in the White House - following an election that incited a real passion among the French - American democracy warrants a close scrutiny without taboo or prejudice," she said. "Does the American dream still make sense in a time of terrorism and war? Is religion, slowly, gaining power? Is a country that kept capital punishment and Guantanamo really a democracy? Has America betrayed her own ideals? Does America want to dominate the world? In short, should the world fear the United States?"