SU's Whaley presents 'Warrior Dreams' Saturday, October 24

SALISBURY, MD---From Dirty Harry and Serpico to 48 Hrs. and Beverly Hills Cop, Hollywood films of the 1970s and ’80s helped shape today’s mythology of the American police officer.

Donald Whaley, Salisbury University history professor emeritus, explores how that has impacted today’s law enforcement during the presentation “Warrior Dreams: The Militarization of American Police.”

Inaugurating this academic year’s Adventures in Ideas: Humanities Seminar Series, his talk is 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, October 24, in Teacher Education and Technology Center Room 179.

From the formation of SWAT teams to police use of assault weapons, military vehicles and aggressive — sometimes deadly — tactics, Whaley identifies the ways in which law enforcement has become a “warrior culture.” He also looks at how popular culture has helped shape public law enforcement policy.

Sponsored by the Charles R. and Martha N. Fulton School of Liberal Arts and the Whaley Family Foundation, admission is $30, and advance registration is required. Breakfast and lunch are provided. To register call 410-543-6450 or e-mail dmcarey@salisbury.edu.

Upcoming topics in the series include “The Look of Victory: Design and Visual Culture in the ‘Long’ Fifties” with Dr. Victoria Pass of the Art Department on Saturday, November 21, and “Songs of Social Significance: Broadway During the Great Depression and Second World War” with Drs. Leanne Wood of the Bellavance Honors Program, and William Folger and John Wesley Wright of the Music, Theatre and Dance Department, on Saturday, February 20.

For more information visit the SU website at www.salisbury.edu.