Louisiana Tech’s annual Shaping the 21^st Century series continues with events that will illuminate the Middle East this spring quarter, with discussions from distinguished scholars on the topic, film screenings and a photography exhibit. Bill Willoughby, associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts, said this is an excellent time to focus on this area of the world. “We’re excited to focus on the Middle East,” Willoughby said. “It’s exciting to see how technology is involved with the social unrest we see in recent history or present light. The Middle East is transforming in many ways, and their use of social media and multimedia are radically different than here in the West.” Willoughby said the documentaries, guest speakers and featured events would intrigue Tech students, faculty and staff as well as the area community. “Would we have such social unrest without technology?” Willoughby said. “This does change the way people connect and share views.” All of the events in the series are free and open to the public. They are listed, in chronological order, below. International Day May 3 4 p.m. Student Center, Tonk ISA/Performance Event Wine & Alchemy musical group May 4 6:30 p.m. Tolliver Distinguished Speaker “Democracy and Dictatorship in the Arab world,” by Dr. Juan R. Cole, Richard P. Mitchell Professor of History and director of South Asian Studies from the University of Michigan May 4 10 a.m. Howard Auditorium Roundtable Discussion “Technological change and social unrest in the Middle East” with Juan Cole, A. Nazir Atassi, Jeremy Mhire, et al. Moderated by Dr. Stephen Webre, history department head at Tech May 4 4 p.m. Wyly Tower Auditorium Film Screening “The Oath,” directed by Laura Poitras and introduced by Bill Willoughby May 11 6:30 p.m. Wyly Tower Auditorium Shaping the 21st Century series is sponsored by the Office of Academic Affairs, the College of Liberal Arts, Department of History, the International Student Office, the Student Government Association and  the International Education Committee.