Award-winning religion editor and author, Dr. Ira Rifkin, will present “Globalization: Coping with Unintended Consequences” during his February 3 convocation at 3 p.m. in Phelps Stokes Auditorium at Berea College. His lecture explores globalization’s radical reshaping of the world, how the world’s major faiths are coping with these changes and whether globalization and religious values are in conflict. This convocation is free and open to the public.

Ira Rifkin

Dr. Rifkin is the author and editor of several books, including “Spiritual Perspectives on Globalization: Making Sense of Economic and Cultural Upheaval,” and “Spiritual Leaders Who Changed the World: the Essential Handbook to the Past Century of Religion.” He has also worked as a correspondent in religion news services and several publications including Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and National Catholic Reporter. He also has taught and lectured at various institutes including Northwestern University, American University and Marywood University.

This event is the 2010 Helen and Gordon Ross Lecture, co-sponsored by the department of philosophy and religion and Willis D. Weatherford Jr. Campus Christian Center.

Other upcoming convocations include:

* February 10: Dr. Michelle Alexander, a long-time civil rights advocate and litigator, will speak at 3 p.m. in Phelps Stokes Auditorium

* February 17: La Catrina String Quartet will perform a concert of Mexican and Latin American music at 8 p.m. in Phelps Stokes Auditorium

* February 23 and 25: Adanma Onyedike directs the play "The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World" at 8 p.m. in Jelkyl Drama Center

* February 24: Dr. Rick Kittles presents "The Role of Diverse Populations in Personalized Genetic Medicine" at 3 p.m. in Phelps Stokes Auditorium