Middle East expert Widlanski discusses 'Big Mouth' theory of global communication, Oct. 8

Sept. 20, 2007 -- Michael Widlanski, a former New York Times and Cox News reporter with 20 years experience in the Middle East, will discuss "The Big Mouth Theory: Communication Power in the Global Arena" as he delivers the second annual Schusterman Lecture at 7:15 p.m., Oct. 8, in Holmes Lounge, Ridgley Hall, Danforth Campus of Washington University in St. Louis.

The lecture, followed by a kosher reception, is free and open to the public; reservations are requested before Oct. 8. For information, contact Jennifer Gibbs at 314-935-7003; jgibbs@artsci.wustl.edu

Widlanski, now the Schusterman Visiting Professor of Israel Studies in Arts & Sciences at Washington University, has served as a news analyst, editor and reporter with nearly a dozen major news outlets, including the New Republic, National Review, Boston Globe, Atlanta Constitution, Jerusalem Post and Ha'aretz. Born in New York, Widlanski began his journalism career in 1980 as a reporter for the Jerusalem Bureau of The New York Times.

A specialist in Arab politics, Widlanski earned a doctorate in political science and communications from Bar Ilan University in 2003-04. He served as special advisor to Israeli delegations to peace talks in 1991-1992 and as Strategic Affairs Advisor to the Ministry of Public Security, editing secret PLO Archives captured in Jerusalem. Since 1996, he's taught course in political communication as a lecturer at the Rothberg School of Hebrew University.

The Schusterman Scholar is funded through a generous grant from the American Israeli Cooperative Enterprise matched by donations by individuals to Washington University.