"Understanding the varied civilizations of our world gains immensely when the silver screen complements what we read about them," said Claude E. Welch, Jr., SUNY Distinguished Service Professor in the Department of Political Science an organizers of the series. He added that the films intend to expand awareness by illustrating how societies have coped with major issues in the past 500 years.

All screenings, which will be introduced with a brief cultural and historical contextualization from a UB faculty member, are free and open to UB faculty, staff and students. They will take place Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Student Union Theatre on the North Campus.

Feb. 17-"Aguirre: The Wrath of God" (1972). Directed by Werner Herzog, this film about a futile search for the mythic El Dorado stars Klaus Kinsky and his daughter, Nastasia.

Feb. 24-"Black Robe" (1991). This film features an unhappy, yet fascinating, mix of Catholic missionaries and native American tribes.

March 17-"Paths of Glory" (1951). Starring Kirk Douglas and directed by Stanley Kubrick, this film captures the historical significance of World War I.

March 24-"Doctor Zhivago" (1965). Winner of six Academy Awards, this grand vision of Russian history from the turn of the century was directed by David Lean and stars Boris Pasternak.

April 7-"Das Boot" (The Boat) (1982). A brilliant picture about the claustrophobic life on board a German U-boat during World War II.

April 14-"To Live" (1994). A political tale about China from the 1930s to the 1960s, this film won a coveted "Palmes d'Or," at the Cannes Film Festival.

April 21-"Dr. Strangelove" (1963). Directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Peter Sellers in multiple roles, this film is a hilarious and frightening meditation on nuclear arsenals.