MEDIA CONTACT: Department of Religion and Classics (585) 275-5378 or Helene Snihur (585) 275-7800

November 6, 2003

EVENT: Talk on "Religion, Education and Contemporary Russian Society" by Marianna Shakhnovich of St. Petersburg State University

TIME, DATE, AND PLACE: 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, in the Gamble Room, 361 Rush Rhees Library, on the University of Rochester's River Campus

ADMISSION: Free

Marianna Shakhnovich, professor and head of the Department of Philosophy of Religion and Religious Studies at St. Petersburg State University, will lecture on "Religion, Education, and Contemporary Russian Society" at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, in the Gamble Room, 361 Rush Rhees Library, on the University of Rochester's River Campus.

Shakhnovich is teaching a course on religions in Russia as a Fulbright Scholar in the Department of Religion and Classics this fall.

In St. Petersburg, Shakhnovich teaches and conducts research in ancient philosophy of religion, the history and philosophy of culture, world mythology, methods of religious studies, and religion in cultural context. Her most recent books include Epicure Garden: Epicure's Philosophy of Religion and Epicurean Tradition in Russian and West European Culture, and Religion and Morality in Secular Society. In addition, Shakhnovich has published articles in English and French.

Shakhnovich received her master's and doctoral degrees from St. Petersburg State University, where she has taught since 1982. Her talk is sponsored by the Department of Religion and Classics and the Russian Studies Program.

There will be a reception following the lecture. For more information, call (585) 275-5378.