

The highly anticipated lectures by noted scholars Richard Wolff and Harriet Fraad are taking place this week, according to organizers.

“We made the decision to postpone the Wolff-Fraad lectures in March for the safety and well-being of participants and audience members,” said Michael Hillard, USM professor of economics. “Many people had made plans to attend the lectures, and now we hope they will come to hear Professor Wolff and Dr. Fraad on the new dates.”

Both scholars were expected to speak on the effects of the 2008 recession on American society in a lecture event titled “Capitalism Hits the Fan.” Wolff, a nationally known economist, was scheduled to speak on Wednesday, while Fraad, a psychotherapist and journalist, was scheduled to speak on Thursday.

Details of the rescheduled event are:

· “Capitalism Hits the Fan: The Personal and Societal Effects of the 2008 Economic Crisis: Two-day presentations by economist Richard Wolff and psychotherapist/journalist Dr. Harriet Fraad; Richard Wolff lecture: “Capitalism Hit the Fan, So Now What? Economic Democracy and America’s Future”; 7-9 p.m., Wednesday, April 23, Talbot Lecture Hall, Luther Bonney Hall, University of Southern Maine, Portland campus; Harriet Fraad lecture: “The Great Recession’s Hurricane Swath Through Intimate Life: Social and Personal Transformation in the U.S. Since the 2008 Economic Crisis”; noon-1:30 p.m., Thursday, April 24, University Events Room, Glickman Library, USM, Portland campus; donation requested, open to the public.

For more information, contact Michael Hillard, USM professor of economics at mhillard@maine.edu