Join members of Coastal Carolina University's faculty for the community dialogue series "Unheard, Unseen, Unsolved," an exploration of stimulating topics ranging from the war in Afghanistan to the "disappearance" of poetry in today's culture. The sessions will take place at 7 p.m on Wednesday in February and March; they are free and open to the public.

All sessions will be held at Coastal's Waccamaw Higher Education Center at 160 Willbrook Blvd. west of U.S. 17 next to the Hampton Inn in Litchfield.

"Unheard, Unseen, Unsolved" is the fifth such series sponsored by the Board of Visitors of Coastal's Thomas W. and Robin W. Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts. These community dialogues are designed to involve area citizens and Coastal faculty members in discussions about significant issues. For more information call 349-4030.

"The 'Flower and Willow World': Representations and Misrepresentations of Geisha Culture"

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 7 p.m.

English professor Maggie Ivanova will discuss Arthur Golden's bestseller "Memoirs of a Geisha," Mineko Iwasaki's autobiography "Geisha, A Life" and Rob Marshall's film "Memoirs of a Geisha." The discussion will examine the differences in representation of Japanese femininity and the geisha tradition to audiences in Asia and the West.

"Fire in the Hole: The Debate Regarding Storage and Disposal of Highly Radioactive Waste"

Wednesday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m.

Storage and disposal of highly radioactive waste is an extremely controversial issue. Politics and geography professor Ken Rogers will explain how political considerations rather than homeland security and energy security have determined storage and disposal policies in South Carolina and elsewhere.

"From Plato to Presley: Culture High, Low and Mostly In-Between"

Wednesday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m.

English professor Steven Hamelman will describe the "culture wars" that have forced educators to take sides in a debate that pits high (elite) culture against low (popular) culture. Drawing examples from film, music and other media, Hamelman will discuss whether high and low culture can be combined effectively in the classroom and in educational materials.

"Forgotten Faces of War: Afghanistan"

Wednesday, Feb. 28, 7 p.m.

In the summer of 2006, professors Ken Townsend and Paul Olsen visited American troops in Kabul and then embedded themselves with a military unit in Kandahar. They will offer insights regarding the war in Afghanistan based on their personal observations, experiences and interviews with American, Canadian and Afghan troops.

"Where Has Poetry Gone? A Reading and Discussion"

Wednesday, March 7, 7 p.m.

English professor Dan Albergotti will read from his works and discuss how over the last century poetry has become more ensconced within the academy and further divorced from the general public. He will explain why, despite this trend, poetry is still relevant and powerful.

"Deterrence, Guerilla Warfare and Terrorism"

Wednesday, March 14, 7 p.m.

Philosophy and religion professor Michael Ruse will lead a discussion of the implications of deterrence, guerilla warfare and terrorism as they relate to post-cold war international political affairs. Come explore what we can expect in a world with only one superpower.

"The Philosophical Challenge of Religious Diversity"

Wednesday March 21, 7 p.m.

What happens when we encounter people with religious beliefs or practices different than our own? Should we be skeptical about other religions or accept them as being equally legitimate? Nils Rauhut, professor of philosophy and religion, will discuss how we might deal with these and other questions about religious diversity.

"Poetry as a Way to Defy Death: Reading and Commentary of Juan Gelman's Poetry"

Wednesday, March 28, 7 p.m.

Spanish professor Elsa Crites will describe the "dirty war" in Argentina and introduce listeners to the profound writings of Juan Gelman, a poet whose work deals with state terrorism and the pain and anguish that stem from the "disappearance" of several friends and his only son.