A four-part series of public presentations aimed at addressing issues from Islamic theology to anti-Americanism begins Sunday (Oct. 21) at West Virginia University and runs through Nov. 6.

The colloquium,”De-constructing the September 11 Tragedy in America,”is designed to address some broad perspectives related to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington and to increase understanding of the culture and history of the Middle East, according to Provost Gerald Lang. The Provosts Office is co-sponsoring the series in cooperation with Faculty Senate, Student Affairs, the Student Government Association and The Daily Athenaeum.

“Higher education plays a unique role in the exchange of ideas and expertise,”Lang said.”This colloquium is about sharing knowledge and insight about the occurrences of Sept. 11 with one another. We wont all agree on the issues, but thats what educational exchange is all about.”

Professor of Religious Studies Aaron Gale and Professor of Neurology Basem Hamid will discuss”Islam: An Introduction to Its Theology”at Sundays 7 p.m. session in the Mountainlair Ballroom. It will be moderated by Professor of Music Christopher Wilkinson.

The next three sessions are:

• Sunday, Oct. 28”America: Devil or Saint? The Rise of Anti-Americanism in the Middle East,”7 p.m., Gluck Theater, Mountainlair. Panelists: Professors Abdulkader Al-Azzaz (Radiology), William Arnett (History), Joseph Hagan (Political Science).

• Sunday, Nov. 4”Culture and the Psychology of Terrorism,”7 p.m., Ballroom, Mountainlair. Panelists: Professors Larry Nichols (Sociology) and Tracy Morris (Psychology).

• Tuesday, Nov. 6”Balancing Security and Civil Liberties,”7 p.m., Ballroom, Mountainlair. Panelist: Professor Gerald Ashdown (Law).