Students and faculty will discuss the war with Iraq at a forum Saturday in Room 103 of Kellogg Center.
A panel discussion titled "The War Against Iraq: Political and Normative Implications," will feature four James Madison College students and two Madison professors. The event is part of the college's 35th anniversary activities and requires registration, which can be completed at the door.
The panelists will discuss a wide variety of topics relating to the war, ranging from democracy in Iraq to what U.S. attacks will leave behind.
Rocky Beckett, director of development for the college, said a plan to talk about relations with the Middle East had been in place since last fall.
"As we got closer to (the anniversary), there was more talk about Iraq, so we decided the focus would be on Iraq," he said.
International relations junior Ahmed Baset, one of the student panelists, said war with Iraq was inevitable, and that people should attend the discussion so as not to distance themselves from it.
"It's a great way to educate themselves about the new onsets going on and some of the implications that can result from war." he said.
Baset is the director of legislative affairs for ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government.
Out of the five panel discussions the college is hosting during its anniversary celebration, "Implications" is the only one featuring student panelists.
Baset said it's important for everyone to hear the younger voice.
"The younger kids are the ones that are going to be fighting this war," he said.
Baset said speaking on the panel is a little intimidating, but he is confident in sharing his opinion with anyone willing to listen.
"The students of James Madison are the ones that will influence policy and the actions the U.S. takes in the future," he said.
Mohammed Ayoob, a faculty panelist, said the entire MSU community - not just James Madison students - should understand the issues that will be discussed.
"It's analyzing in real time. It's an analysis of the war as it's happening," the international relations professor said. "As a public affairs school, it's James Madison's obligation to be involved in such an analysis."
Michael Rubner, another faculty panelist, said the forum should foster good discussion.
"Nobody's going to be intimidated. I think people are going to look forward to it," the international relations professor said. "It's part of the Madison tradition."
For more information call 432-2117, or visit www.jmc.msu.edu.
