Marilynne Robinson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and faculty member in the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop, has been shortlisted for the Man Booker International Prize, along with writers from India, Russia, and China.

A unique study abroad program in Peru allowed University of Iowa sophomore Macz Norton to blend study, service, and immersion for an unforgettable experience last summer.

The University of Iowa Martha-Ellen Tye Opera Theater will perform "Trouble in Tahiti" by Leonard Bernstein and "Amelia Goes to the Ball" by Giancarlo Menotti at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 1 and 2, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, in the Englert Theatre in downtown Iowa City.

John Manning, associate professor of tuba in the University of Iowa School of Music, will give a faculty recital at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30, in Riverside Recital Hall on the UI campus. The performance is free and open to the public.

The MFA program in Spanish Creative Writing in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences draws upon traditional Hispanic views of art and the role of the writer in the community to prepare students for careers as writers and teachers, in addition to helping local populations tell their stories.

In the 21st century, the notion of graceful living has lost its meaning. We would do well to look to the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., for a lesson in living with grace.

Ten University of Iowa undergraduate students have been selected to participate in a unique pilot course for the spring 2013 semester. The course will allow the students to apply their education and creativity to help Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh and others transform downtown Las Vegas.

Cory Taylor kicks off this year’s Public Digital Humanities for Lunch (PDH4L) series with “(Re)creating the World: Modeling for Google Earth with Trimble SketchUp" from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Tlaloc Rivas came to theater through activism, embracing the art for its capacity to illuminate problems and inspire change. Now a UI professor of theatre arts, he talks about plays, politics, and his more recent project—a centerpiece of the 2013 MLK Celebration of Human Rights.

University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop alumnus Benjamin Nugent will read from his new book, "Good Kids," at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, in a free reading at Prairie Lights Books in downtown Iowa City. The reading also will be streamed live on the University of Iowa Writing University website.

Spencer Gillis, a University of Iowa graduate, shares his motivation for creating the short-film, Gun, one of 85 films selected to be screened at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival.

Guest pianist Oni Buchanan and author/poet Jon Woodward will perform "Uncanny Valley," a piano/poetry/electronics concert-length work by composer John Gibson, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27, in Riverside Recital Hall on the University of Iowa campus.