FORDHAM CENTER ON RELIGION AND CULTURE Torture and American Culture: An Inquiry and Reflection Tuesday, 21 October 2008, 1 – 5 p.m. Fordham University • Lincoln Center Campus • McNally Amphitheatre • 140 W. 62nd St.

The photographs that revealed the torture and abuse of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib shocked the world. Further revelations of CIA rendition policies, deaths in custody, Guantanamo detainees and government secrecy raise critical questions about U.S. culture and the conditions that have fostered the resort to torture. THIS FORUM WILL EXAMINE TWO ISSUES:     What in U.S. culture predisposes us to torture or a tolerance for torture? What strengths and weaknesses have U.S. leadership groups (political, military, religious, medical, psychological, legal, etc.) exhibited in responding to the current controversies over torture? Session I: 1 – 2:15 p.m. Popular Culture, Graphic Representations of Torture and Violence MODERATOR William McGarvey, editor-in-chief, Busted Halo, online magazine. PANELISTS David Danzig, Human Rights First, director, Primetime Torture Project. Todd Gitlin, professor, Columbia University School of Journalism. Richard Alleva, film critic, Commonweal. Session II: 2:30 – 3:45 p.m. American Elites and Their Response to Torture MODERATOR Frederick Wertz, professor, Fordham University, Department of Psychology. PANELISTS Legal Profession: William Treanor, dean and professor of law, Fordham University School of Law. Military and Intelligence: Col. Patrick Lang (Ret.), president, Global Resources Group. Religion: Drew Christiansen, S.J., editor, America magazine. Psychology: Stephen Behnke, director, ethics office, American Psychological Association. Further Reflections: 4 – 5 p.m. MODERATOR Margaret O’Brien Steinfels, co-director, Fordham Center on Religion and Culture. PANELISTS The panelists in conversation Q & A from the audience. FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC R.S.V.P. to [email protected], (212) 636-7347 For more information: www.fordham.edu/ReligCulture