Making students aware of the need for active citizenship and service to the global community is the goal of a yearlong lecture and film series that begins Tuesday.

Tanya Saunders, dean of interdisciplinary and international studies, said the series, titled “Engaging Democracy and Troubling the Water,” was instituted to give the college community a chance to re-examine basic democratic principles.

Saunders said she hopes students will learn to value the opportunity to participate in 21st century democracy in education, the environment and the media.

Tuesday’s lecture will be given by author and activist Paul Loeb, who has written four books and spoken at hundreds of colleges, universities and conferences.

Loeb will give a speech called “Soul of a Citizen: Living with Conviction in a Cynical Time.”

He said in an interview that he will touch on themes from his book, “Soul of a Citizen,” as well as discuss “everything going on these days in the world and what people can do about it.”

His talk will take place in Klingenstein Lounge in the Campus Center at 7 p.m.

Wednesday evening, the series will continue as environmental consultant Edward Quevedo speaks on “Activism, Democracy, and the Role of the University in Troubled Times” at 7 p.m. in the Park Hall Auditorium.

He said his talk will focus on propagating peace and prosperity in the post-Sept. 11 world. He will also touch on themes of educational policy, citizenship, activism and environmental stewardship.

Quevedo works at WSP Environmental North America, an international business that provides management and consulting services to property, land and construction businesses.

On Thursday, the final lecture of the fall will take place at 7 p.m. in the Park Hall Auditorium.

Sandra Steingraber, a Visiting Distinguished Scholar and internationally recognized expert on environmental links to cancer and reproductive health, will deliver her speech: “The Rope that Frays at Both Ends: Environmental Threats to Pregnant Women, Infants, and the Elderly.”

Steingraber has written a volume of poetry as well as various articles and books on the relationship between ecology and human rights. She is on the faculty at Cornell University.

There will also be a film screening on Oct. 20 as part of the series, and other events will continue throughout the Spring 2004 semester.

Peter Bardaglio, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said the series will help address the Institutional Plan by giving students a shared academic experience.

“One of the key ingredients to a healthy democracy is an educated and engaged citizenry,” he said. “It’s really crucial that the college try to promote education and a sense of engagement.”

The series, which is free and open to the public, is co-sponsored by several departments at the college.