September 8, 2014

Expert on justice in South Africa to present Edwards Lecture at SVSU

A leading authority on post-apartheid South Africa will give the 2014 Edwards Lecture in Philosophy and Religion at Saginaw Valley State University Monday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. in the Rhea Miller Recital Hall.

Daniel Herwitz, the Frederick G. L. Huetwell professor of Comparative Literature, History of Art, and Philosophy of Art and Design at the University of Michigan will present a lecture titled, “Truth, Reconciliation and Transitional Justice."

Herwitz will explore events of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Committees, which were established in 1995 by the Government of National Unity to help the people of South Africa deal with the violence and human rights abuses that occurred under apartheid. The lecture looks to explore whether and how societies in the midst of political transition from authoritarian to democratic regimes demand special understanding from the point of view of the theory of justice.

Herwitz co-founded the Centre for Knowledge and Innovation at the University of Natal, South Africa, where he served as director for six years. He is the author of several books, including “Race and Reconciliation: Essays from The New South Africa.” Herwitz also has written “Heritage, Culture, and Politics in the Postcolony,” “ Key Concepts in Aesthetics,” and “The Star as Icon: Celebrity in the Age of Mass Consumption.”

The William and Julia Edwards Lecture in Philosophy and Religion was established through a gift from the couple in 1993. It annually brings distinguished scholars to SVSU to discuss timely and relevant religious and philosophical topics.

The lecture series is free and open to the public. For more information please contact Professor James Hitt at jhitt@svsu.edu or call (989)-964-2607.