Public Talks
“Why Iran Failed and Egypt Succeeded: Lessons in Toppling Dictatorial Regimes.” Austin
Philosophy Forum, Austin Community College, Austin, TX, April 14, 2011 (upcoming).
“The History of Iran During the Reign of Reza Shah.” Huston-Tillotson University,
Austin, TX, December 2, 2010.
“Qur’ānic Interpretations of War, Violence, and Jihad.” Huston-Tillotson University,
Austin, TX, November 29, 2010.
“The Role of Islam in Contemporary Middle East Politics.” Huston-Tillotson University,
Austin, TX, November 29, 2010.
“The State of Nature and Social Contact Theory in Islamic Philosophy.” Austin Philosophy
Forum, Austin Community College, Austin, TX, October 7, 2010.
“Interpreting Gender in the Qur’ān,” “Soteriological Salvation of the Non-Muslim in
Islamic Law,” and “Qur’ānic Hermeneutics: The Main Battlefront.” Three 2-hour
lectures for The Muslim Histories and Cultures Project Summer Institute at
The University of Texas at Austin, a 6-month project of introductory lectures for Texas
high school teachers, sponsored by His Highness The Aga Khan, Texas Governor
Rick Perry, and former UT Austin President Dr. Larry Faulkner, January 15-16, 2010.
“Young and Rebellious in the Islamic Republic.” Twelfth Revolution (Politics and History
Club), Austin Community College, Austin, TX, December 3, 2009.
“Iran’s June 12th Movement: Transformative Reform from Within: A Case Study of the
Works of Ayatollah Mohsen Kadivar.” Iran Uprising Forum, The University of Texas
at Austin, July 16, 2009.
“Interpreting Gender and Sexuality in Iran,” “Pluralism and Islam,” and “Interpreting the
Qur’ān: The Main Battlefront.” Three 2-hour lectures for The Muslim Histories and
Cultures Project Summer Institute at The University of Texas at Austin, capstone for
6-month project of introductory lectures for Texas high school teachers, sponsored by
His Highness The Aga Khan, Texas Governor Rick Perry, and UT Austin President
Dr. Larry Faulkner, June 12-13, 2009.
“Islam and Privilege.” Ethics Resource Center (renamed Austin Philosophy Forum) panel
on “Privilege and Identity,” Austin Community College, Austin, TX, February 26, 2009.
Series of five introductory lectures on contemporary theories of democratic Islam across
the Muslim world. Elderhostel, Presbyterian Mo-Ranch Assembly, Hunt, TX,
October 14-19, 2007.
“The Difference between Religious Pluralism and Tolerance According to
Abdolkarim Soroush.” St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Austin, TX, March 28, 2007.
“Examples of Democratic Islam.” Wimberely Community Center, Wimberley, TX,
November 2006.
“Textual Comparison of the Place of Women among the Abrahamic Religions.”
The Katherine Anne Porter School, Wimberley, TX, September 12, 2006.
“U.S. Foreign Policy: The Case of Saudi Arabia.” The Katherine Anne Porter School,
Wimberley, TX, September 12, 2006.
“Is There Such a Thing as Modern Islam?” ARH A302: Ancient through Medieval Art,
Department of Art and Art History, The University of Texas at Austin, July 2006.
“A Textual Comparison between The Epic of Gilgamesh, the Code of Hamurabi, and the
Old Testament.” ARH A302: Ancient through Medieval Art, Departmet of Art and
Art History, The University of Texas at Austin, June 2006.