Because of the extraordinary events now evolving on the world scene, the UCLA International Institute has organized a unique free course for the Spring Quarter that is open to students, faculty, staff, and friends of the campus.

Titled "The United States and the World Since September 11," the course features a series of weekly lectures by distinguished experts on foreign affairs and national security in discussions of the pressing issues that confront America and the world.

The weekly lectures, held from 12-1:30 pm on Wednesdays, are free and open to everyone. The course is supported by the Ronald W. Burkle Center for International Relations at UCLA.

The introductory course of "The United States and the World Since September 11" was held on April 2, and was taught by Geoff Garrett, vice provost of the UCLA International Institute. The next class features UCLA chancellor Albert Carnesale discussing national security issues, his area of academic expertise.

The class schedule for rest of the the Spring Quarter includes:

* April 9: Albert Carnesale, UCLA chancellor
"National Security - Evolution or Revolution?"

* April 16: Jerry Green, director of International programs and development, Rand Corporation
"War with Iraq - diversion, necessity, or mistake?"

* April 23: Jack Riley, director, RAND Public Safety and Justice
"Homeland security - How safe are we?"

* April 30: Steven Spiegel, UCLA professor of political science; associate director, Burkle Center
"The Arab-Israeli Dispute - Have we lost our way?"

* May 7: Steve Lamy, director, School of International Relations, USC
"Europe, Russia and the United States - What is the post-cold war relationship?"

* May 14: Susan Shirk, research director, Institute on Global Cooperation and Conflict, UC San Diego
"China, Japan and the Korean Peninsula - A region in transition?"

* May 21: Sebastian Edwards, Henry Ford II Professor of International Management, UCLA
"Latin America - The forgotten crisis?"

* May 28: John Zaller, professor of Political Science, UCLA
"American Politics - Will foreign policy dominate in 2004?"

"The United States and the World Since September 11" will be led by Geoffrey Garrett, vice provost of the International Institute and director of the Ronald W. Burkle Center for International Relations at UCLA; and Steven Spiegel, professor of political science and associate director of the Burkle Center.