Comedic input can be powerful during times of trauma and tragedy. But political cartoons also serve to send a message. Join the American Civil Liberties Union and its presentation of events focused on dissent during wartime. Political cartoonist David Fitzsimmons of the Arizona Daily Star will discuss "Graphic Dissent" at 5 p.m. in the James E. Rogers College of Law Building, Ares Auditorium. Fitzsimmons is a Pulitzer Prize finalist and president of the Tucson Press Club. For more information, contact Marina Hadjioannou at marinah@u.arizona.edu.

Giving of yourself can lead to better living conditions and ways of life for the less fortunate. The Center for Latin American Studies invites you to a lunch-time meeting with representatives and participants from social service groups. "Opportunities with the Peace Corps, Americorps and Teach for America" will be presented from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. in the Douglass Building, Room 102. Grab a lunch or snack before stopping by and contact Robin Zenger at 626-7242, e-mail her at rzenger@u.arizona.edu or visit the Web site at http://las.arizona.edu/careers.html.

The Africana Studies department continues its film presentation series tonight with a feature including excerpts of Martin Luther King Jr. speeches during the Vietnam War. The Africana Studies Black History Month Film, "What I've Learned About Foreign Policy: CIA Covert Operations and U.S. Interventions Since World War II," begins at 5 p.m. in the Pima Residence Hall conference room. For more information, contact Cynthia N. Quijada at 621-3419.

If you are preparing to compose a thesis or dissertation, chances are the overwhelming task of planning the project is stealing valuable research and reading time from you. Stop by the Psychology building, Room 205, at 4 p.m. to discuss "Designing a Workable Plan for Your Thesis or Dissertation" with Kendra Gaines of the Writing Skills Improvement Program. For more information about the free graduate writing workshops, contact Donna Rabuck at 621-5849.

The past comes alive again from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. as Bill Doelle discusses the "Archaeology of the Western Papagueria," part of the Archaeology Awareness Month lecture series. The Arizona State Museum and Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society work together to present the free series. Tonight's meeting takes place at the Bear Canyon Branch Public Library, 8959 E. Tanque Verde Road. For more information, contact Darlene Lizarraga at 626-5886, e-mail her at darlene@al.arizona.edu or visit the Web site at http://www.statemuseum.arizona.edu.