LEWISTON, Maine - John McClendon, an associate professor in the Bates College programs in African American and American cultural studies, opens the college's T.G.I.F lecture series at 4:15 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, in the Edmund S. Muskies Archives on Campus Avenue. The public is invited to lectures in the series free of charge. Refreshments will be available.

The theme of this fall's T.G.I.F. lectures is "The Challenge (and Opportunity) of Multiculturalism." Held most Fridays during the academic year, the series is designed to evoke lively, stimulating dialogue in an informal atmosphere.

McClendon, a Lewiston resident, will address the topic: "Postmodernist Paralysis and African American Studies: Philosophy, Paradigms and Politics."

Here are the presenters and topics for the series' remaining lectures, held in Muskie at 4:15 p.m. Fridays except as noted:

Sept. 20 - Amyaz Moledina, assistant professor of economics, and Áslaug Ásgeirsdóttir, assistant professor of political science: "The Individual as an Obstacle to Multiculturalism"

Sept. 27 - Stacy Smith, assistant professor of education: "The Challenges of Diversity and Equity at Bates"

Oct. 4 (113 Carnegie Science Hall, Campus Avenue) - James Reese, associate dean of students: "International Life and History at Bates College"

Oct. 11 - Marcus Bruce, associate professor of religion: "The Right to be Different"

Nov. 1- Mishael Caspi, lecturer in religion: "Multiculturalism: What is it?"

Nov. 8 - Robert Andolina, assistant professor of political science: "Andean Indigenous Movements and Transnational Water Politics"

Nov. 15 - Yukiko Koshiro, visiting associate professor of history: "Race as International Identity?: 'Miscegenation' in U.S.-Japanese Relations."
 
For more information about the series, please call 786-6202.