• February 27, 2006

  Iowa State experts discuss "reality" of "The Da Vinci Code"

  
  
• Four Iowa State University faculty members will discuss how realistic the highly popular book "The Da Vinci Code" is in a panel discussion on Tuesday, March 7.
  
  The Western European Studies Program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will hold a panel discussion, "'The Da Vinci Code': Fact, Fiction or Fake?" at 7 p.m. in the College of Design's Kocimski Auditorium. Admission is free.
  
  "'The Da Vinci Code' addresses some very basic elements of Western European history and culture," said Michael Bailey, assistant professor of history and the panel's moderator.
  "Everything from early Christianity, the Catholic Church, medieval religious orders, the crusades, Renaissance art and the notion of the holy grail itself."
  
  Bailey will be joined on the panel by David Hunter, Supple Chair of Catholic Studies and professor of philosophy and religious studies; John Cunnally, associate professor of art and design; and Gloria Betcher, program coordinator, English. Hunter will address how the book presents early Christianity, while Betcher will discuss medieval aspects (the grail, the Knights Templar). Cunnally will look at how the book presents traditions of Renaissance art.
  
  "The presentations will be brief and then we'll open the floor to audience questions, which I think should certainty be the most interesting and stimulating part of the evening," Bailey said.
  "The book has clearly tapped into tremendous public interest, not just be virtue of its storytelling, but by the virtue of the fact that it asserts a number of deep and hidden currents running through the course of European history."
  
  Bailey said that while 'The Da Vinci Code' is a work of fiction, it asserts that many of its claims in which the story is set are fact.
  
  "Yet it makes tremendous liberties with the truth," he said. "So we wanted to open a discussion that will focus on these issues."
  
  The discussion follows a reception for the Fall 05 Rome Show, an exhibition showcasing the work of Iowa State University students in graphic design, interior design and integrated studio arts who participated in the College of Design's study program in Rome last fall. The public is invited to attend the reception free of charge.
  

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