1. The Higgs Boson:  Expectation Meets Reality - Prof. Michael E. Peskin (SLAC)

 This talk will discuss the Higgs Boson, a particle sought for a long time by high-energy physicists.  
I will adress:  
(1) What is the Higgs Boson, and why must it exist?   
(2) What are the expectations for the mass and interactions of the Higgs Boson?
(3) How  are we searching for the Higgs Boson at high-energy accelerators?  
(4) Will we find the Higgs Boson in 2012?

2. Rethinking Cosmology - Prof. Paul Steinhardt  (Princeton University)

 The big bang inflationary theory is currently viewed as the leading model of the origin and evolution of the universe; some even describe it as “proven.”    We will critically examine the reasons that are often cited and consider the question: do we have the basic picture right, or is it time to rethink?