Have you been wondering what Asian American studies can do for you? UC Berkeley Professor of Asian American Studies Ron Takaki will speak today on his lifelong work. Takaki is a pioneer of contemporary ethnic and racial studies programs in the U.S. In a lecture entitled "From Surfer to Scholar: The Making of a Historian of Multicultural America," Takaki will draw on material from his publications on multiculturalism and discuss some of his struggles and motivations. A reception will follow. (Wed., 7 p.m., lecture in Johnson Chapel, reception in Gerald Penny Cultural Center, Octagon. No admission charge.)

The Department of Philosophy presents Amartya Sen, the 1998 recipient of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics. A leader in the field of welfare economics, which seeks to evaluate economic policies by considering their effects on the well-being of the community, Sen will speak on "Identity and the Violence of Illusion." (Thurs., 4:30 p.m., Cole Assembly Room, Converse Hall. No admission charge.)

Imagine an exercise program that you look forward to, that engages you and that leaves you refreshed and alert with a feeling of physical and mental well-being. Pilates promises all that and more in its widely followed routines of body conditioning. Instructor Rosalie Peri will teach a beginner-intermediate class. (Fri., 4 p.m., Ainsworth 151, Smith College. No admission charge.)

Indulge yourself with some soothing strains at the Borromeo String Quartet's concert. The quartet has performed in such prestigious international chamber music festivals as the Prague Spring Festival, the Spoleto Festival in Italy, the Orlando Festival in the Netherlands and Norway's Stavanger Festival. Last season, they also performed in venues on three continents, including New York's Lincoln Center. (Fri., 8 p.m., Sweeney Concert Hall, Smith College. No admission charge.)

Editors' DVD Pick of the Week

Now that the Oscars are finally over and done with, what better time to sit back and enjoy an adrenaline-boosting action film? "Ladder 49" has the additional merit of being character-driven, and stars the talented Joaquin Phoenix and the unmistakable John Travolta. The spirit and courage of men who risk their lives regularly in their line of duty is tightly narrated with deep sincerity in this stirring story within a story about firefighting. It revolves around a series of flashbacks from Phoenix's character, who finds himself injured, trapped and alone in a burning building. This is an excellent example of realistic and technically exceptional action scenes blended with unwavering focus on the characters that inspire the story. These are men we will willingly follow into Hell's inferno and back.