Through his operatic Ring cycle, Wagner has profoundly influenced the way we think, feel and imagine the 21st century world. How have the Ring themes and symbols permeated literature, philosophy, psychology and even movies and cartoons? In collaboration with The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences will present a panel of USC scholars, musicians and musicologists as they take on the idea of the hero, violence and the cult of masculinity, "the mythic," the development of fascist theories (and governments), the power of the unconcious, the allure of death, and the mob. No singing required; mind-opening insights guaranteed.

Moderator:      James R. Kincaid, USC Aerol Arnold Professor of English

Panelists:        

Leo B. Braudy, University Professor and Leo S. Bing Chair in English and American Literature and Professor of English

Roberto Ignacio Diáz, Associate Professor of Spanish and Portuguese and Comparative Literature

John P. Nuckols, Vice President, Advancement, LA Opera

John Carlos Rowe, USC Associates Chair in Humanities and Professor of English and American Studies and Ethnicity

Registration will open in Spring 2010.