Following Smolensky’s opening remarks, there will be approximately one hour of group discussion.

Since 1981, Great Decisions has operated as a forum where the public and the academic community can freely meet in a congenial setting and talk about world affairs. All eight Great Decisions programs this semester are free and open to the public. They will be held Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. through March 19. Each session will be moderated by a member of the college’s faculty, staff or alumni.

For those who don’t mind a little homework, a companion guide called "Great Decisions 2008" is available in the Monmouth College bookstore. It includes eight chapters, each of which takes about a half-hour to read.

"The book is optional, but I encourage people to read it because it presents an excellent and well-balanced introduction to each topic and does so in a very non-partisan way," said Smolensky, who serves as one of the program coordinators.

Great Decisions is a nationwide program sponsored by the Foreign Policy Association, a non-partisan, non-governmental association that works to increase Americans’ understanding of significant foreign policy issues.

For more information on Great Decisions at Monmouth College, contact Smolensky at 309-457-2102 or assistant professor of history Amy de Farias at 309-457-2243.