Hamid Dabashi, a professor of Iranian studies and comparative literature at Columbia University, New York, will discuss “Why Persian Humanism Matters Today” at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, at the Larry and Rosalie Vanderhoef Studio Theatre, Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts at UC Davis. Dabashi will be speaking as part of the Chancellor’s Colloquium Distinguished Speaker Series, hosted by UC Davis Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi.

Persian humanism is the historical and literary culture of the Persian people.

Hamid Dabashi has written 25 books, edited 4 and contributed chapters to many more. He is the Series Editor of Literatures and Cultures of the Islamic World for Palgrave Macmillan.

The event is free and open to the public. RSVP to eventrsvp@ucdavis.edu or call 530-754-2262.

The UC Davis Chancellor’s Colloquium Distinguished Speakers series brings together distinguished scholars and government leaders offering conversations with the academic community and broader public around pressing issues.