For the 2008-09 academic year, Moorpark College has adopted the theme of Year of Democracy.

In this political year, staff, faculty and students will engage in dialogue to develop a deeper understanding of the democratic process in the United States and around the world.

The Year of Democracy will study the American democratic process during the fall semester and take a global perspective in the spring term.

The project co-chairs are journalism professor Joanna Miller and political science professor Lee Ballestero.

"The Year of Democracy will help students make a solid connection between their roles as informed, involved citizens and the future of our country. Year of Democracy events will engage our campus community so students will understand, cherish and guard the constitutional freedoms and rights they enjoy as citizens of the United States," said Miller.

Ballestero wants to provide opportunities for students to observe candidate debates and to listen to speakers discuss state and local issues.

She hopes that the creation of the Political Science Club will encourage students to become active both on campus and in the community.

Diane Scrofano, English faculty member and coordinator of the One-Campus-One-Book programs, announced that this year's selection is "Persepolis" by Marjane Satrapi.

The book depicts the author's childhood and adolescence in Iran during the Islamic Revolution of the 1980s.

Following are scheduled events for fall semester.

•Sept. 17, Constitution Day. Free Speech Fair, voter registration drive and address by keynote speaker John Dean, former counsel to President Richard Nixon and a noted constitutionalist.

•Sept. 29. Ventura County Dep. District Attorney Michael Lief, author of "The Walls Came Tumbling Down," speaks on civil liberties trials. Political journalist Robert Scheer talks about the importance of an engaged electorate and his new book, "The Pornography of Power."

•Oct. 13. Historian Klaus Fischer discusses student protests during the Vietnam War period as described in his book "America in Black, White and Gray."

•Oct. 26. Marta Jorgensen speaks on running for Congress.

•Nov. 3. Emmy awardwinning actor Arthur Burghardt speaks on the political life of Frederick Douglass.

•Nov. 13. Election Wrap Panel, led by Ventura County Star's Sacramento Bureau Chief Timm Herdt, discusses results of the election.

•Three faculty members will discuss democracy on selected Wednesdays at noon in September, October and November. Films related to the theme will also be screened at times to be announced.

All programs are free and open to the public.

For more information, visit www.moorparkcollege.edu/ yearof.