In this Dec. 3 talk, LASP planetary scientist Mikki Osterloo will provide an overview of the current state of knowledge regarding the mineralogy and composition of the Martian surface through remote spectroscopic observations and what these observations infer about the past environments on Mars. In the LASP SPSC building (Room W120), located at 3665 Discovery Dr. in the East Campus Research Park. Parking and admission are free. Doors open at 7 p.m.

The Center for Humanities and the Arts invites you to this month’s Performance Friday! featuring excerpts from Theatre and Dance's production of "A Broadway Christmas Carol." Simultaneously irreverent and respectful, this play offers a fresh, hilarious and charmingly recognizable retelling of Dickens’ classic holiday ghost story, complete with new lyrics to famous Broadway show tunes. Please join us Dec. 5, from 12-1 p.m., in British and Irish Studies (Norlin Library’s 5th Floor). Doors open at 11:30 a.m. for a free, light lunch.

Citizen-soldiers provided the foundation for highly effective armies and broad political participation in ancient Greece and Rome. Dr. Nicolas Rockwell of the University of Denver will begin his talk with earlier political and military trends in Mesopotamia and Egypt and then proceed to discuss unique characteristics of Greece and Rome that contributed to mass participation in warfare and politics. Wednesday | Dec. 3 | 7 p.m. | Paleontology Hall

Please join the Leeds faculty directors on Dec. 3, at 5 p.m. in KOBL 210 as they discuss their summer 2015 Global Seminars. This will be your last chance this semester to meet the Global Seminars faculty in person and learn about their programs. Stop by if you weren’t able to attend an interest meeting earlier in the semester or if you have questions for the faculty.

Please join the Leeds faculty directors on Dec. 3, at 5 p.m. in KOBL 210 as they discuss their summer 2015 Global Seminars. This will be your last chance this semester to meet the Global Seminars faculty in person and learn about their programs. Stop by if you weren’t able to attend an interest meeting earlier in the semester or if you have questions for the faculty.

Wednesday, Dec. 3 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | UMC 235 Join the Volunteer Resource Center in showing our appreciation for heroes around the world by attending our Operation Write Home event. OWH is a community of card-makers that, through art and creativity, support and encourage men and women serving in the armed forces. We will also have a Toys for Tots drop off box at this event. Please bring new, unwrapped gifts that will be distributed to children this holiday season. For more information visit volunteer.colorado.edu

Join Media Studies faculty for an informational meeting for this new interdisciplinary program. Dec. 4, 5-6 p.m. IBS 155B MAPE is a two-year interdisciplinary program that spans traditional boundaries between theory and practice, offers a critical study of the history, institutions, economics and social implications of the media, nationally and globally, combined with practice-based media training. Our Website

The course introduces most fascinating female characters in Russian history, culture and literature. Learn about mighty princesses and tsarinas, rebellious wives and pious Christians, legendary Amazons and fearless terrorists. Explore changing roles and cultural images of women as reflected in Russian folklore, documents, costumes, icons, paintings and literature (fiction and non-fiction) from medieval times to the 19th century. Taught in English. Approved for the Arts and Sciences Core Curriculum: Historical Context

What role should love and sex play in society? Should they be regulated? How have expectations of gender changed our view of love and marriage? How did bourgeois culture affect conceptions of femininity, masculinity, and autonomy? This semester GRMN 2603 will cover moral dilemmas in art and society associated with love, sex, and marriage in philosophy and literature from the 18th to 20th centuries. Tues and Thurs, 3:30-4:45. lower-division Ideals & Values; No pre-requisites; Conducted in English

The Student Affairs Recognition (STAR) recognizes staff who go above and beyond in their service to our campus and in their commitment to students and the values of Student Affairs. Nominations are due by Dec. 3. This year's recipient will receive $500 and will be announced at the Student Affairs Appreciation Breakfast on Jan. 29. Make time to nominate someone you see going above and beyond in our division.