Chomsky, UA laureate professor in linguistics and Agnese Nelms Haury Chair, is one of the most influential public intellectuals in the world and the founder of modern linguistics. Chomsky is credited with revolutionizing the linguistics field by introducing the Chomsky hierarchy, generative grammar and the concept of a universal grammar, which underlies all human speech and is based in the innate structure of the mind and brain. An ardent free-speech advocate, Chomsky is famous for his political commentary and has published and lectured widely on U.S. foreign policy, Middle Eastern politics, democratic society, war, environmental destruction, and media criticism. This event is co-organized by ASUA and the UA College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Support comes from the Agnese Nelms Haury Program in Environment and Social Justice.