This year's series, "Focusing on Germany," in session from September 2003 through April 2004, was chosen to correspond with the "Glory of Dresden" exhibit at the Mississippi Arts Pavilion, opening March 2004. The campus series entails a Lunchtime Lecture Series and Foreign Film Series.

The International Series began at MUW in the late 1990s. After a two-year recess, Dr. Velek was asked to bring back the International Series.

"The International Series at MUW is of great importance. It makes a significant contribution to fostering international education and global understanding for the campus and the community. It is a vital part of the educational mission of the university," he said.

"The Organ Music of Bach and his German Contemporaries," the first of the Lunchtime Lecture Series, will open at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at St. Paul's Church.

October's session, "Ailing Alliance? U.S. - German Relations after the Cold War," will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 15.

The finale of the lunchtime series, "Understanding Modern Germany by Understanding German Nationalism," will be held Wednesday, Nov. 19. The October and November lectures will be held in Painter Hall, room 209.

"The Lost Honor of Katharina Blum," the first of the Foreign Film Series, will be held Tuesday Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. in room 201c in Painter Hall.

A special Halloween Eve Screening of "Anatomy" will be held Thursday, Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. at the Columbus Arts Council. Werner Herzog's "Stroszek," the last movie of the 2003 series, will be shown Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 6 p.m.

The International Series provides MUW and the Columbus community the opportunity to enjoy lectures from world-class scholars such as Dr. Richard Pacholski, a published author, who will speak on the Holocaust in February.

"The series provides a forum for discussion and presentations otherwise largely absent. There is a desire for such a series. During the 2000-2001 [series], attendance at events was quite good," Velek said.