Assembly series

Daniel Libeskind, one of the most celebrated architects working today, will discuss “The Future of Cities” as part of the Assembly Series at Washington University in St. Louis. His presentation, sponsored by the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts and the Architecture Student Council, will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, in Graham Chapel.

Mike Parker Pearson’s research team spent six years on a comprehensive dig in and around Stonehenge, emerging with surprising discoveries and new theories on the origins and purpose of the prehistoric ruins. He will share some of these findings in his Assembly Series lecture, “Stonehenge: New Discoveries” at 4 p.m. Wed., March 27, in Steinberg Hall Auditorium on the Danforth Campus.

In his first two books, Predictably Irrational and The Upside of Irrationality, Ariely shows how we often fail to act in our own best interests. With his third book, The (Honest) Truth about Dishonesty: How We Lie to Everyone – especially Ourselves, Ariely examines dishonesty in American culture and has some surprising findings to share at an Assembly Series presentation at 2 p.m. Wed., March 6 in Graham Chapel.

For a majority of the pollsters and established pundits, the outcome of the 2012 presidential election was a shock. For statistician/author/blogger Nate Silver, it was anything but. In his Assembly Series presentation on Feb. 11, he will describe one of his secrets: discerning the “signal” from the “noise.”​

The spring 2013 list of Assembly Series speakers begins January 31 with the prominent young American playwright Sarah Ruhl (left), author of “In the Next Room or the vibrator play” and concludes April 17 with a presentation by General Motors’ vice president of global human resources, Cynthia Brinkley.

Over the course of 30-plus years and more than 20 documentaries, Ken Burns’ films have illuminated the country’s past and brought history to life through techniques such as first person narration. For these lasting contributions, Burns will receive WUSTL’s International Humanities Medal. The event on Friday, Nov. 16, includes a preview and commentary of his upcoming films.

Aron Rodrigue, this year’s annual Holocaust Memorial Lecturer, has put to rest the widely held notion that Sephardim living in the Balkans and other European lands during the Holocaust were not as badly affected as the Ashkenazi in Eastern Europe. The truth is they experienced the same persecution and destruction under Nazi occupation. Rodrigue will speak on campus Monday, Oct. 29.

On Wednesday, Oct. 17, Meriwether will be at WUSTL for a screening of American Meat and panel discussion featuring diverse opinions on the subject. The 82-minute film, introduced by Meriwether, will begin at 6 p.m. in Simon Hall May Auditorium; the panel will follow and conclude at 8:30 p.m.​​

International economic forecaster and social observer Jeremy Rifkin will talk about preparing for the third industrial revolution at noon Thursday, Oct. 11, in Graham Chapel. A book signing will precede the lecture.

Humorist and author of American culture, Sarah Vowell, will read from her work at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8, in Graham Chapel. Vowell will read from her work, which often explores fundamental questions of American history, politics and cultural identity. A Q&A session and book signing will follow.