Director Oliver Stone and historian Peter Kuznick will be showing an episode of their new documentary as part of ISU’s Speaker Series at 7 p.m. today in Braden Auditorium.

The new Showtime 10-part documentary series, “The Untold History of the United States,” explores some of the darker chapters of U.S. history, like the atomic bomb.

“As a society, a campus and student body, we should be having conversations about history and challenging ourselves with its interpretation,” Monica Noraian, assistant professor of the history, said.

The series tests what people already know about history and how it should be taught and interpreted, making it relevant for students today, Noraian added.

The evening will start with introductions and a screening of episode three of the documentary.

Then, from 8 to 9 p.m., Noraian will talk with Stone and Kuznick about the new series, human interest topics and Stone films, which include movies like “JFK” and “Platoon.”

They will also be discussing the book based off the documentary, which was released on Oct. 30, 2012 and is a great companion to the series, Noraian said.

Our perceptions of history are formed by how it is taught to us, Noraian added.

“Students need to study beyond the textbook and do the actual work of historians,” Noraian said.

“We do not help our students and future citizens by presenting only the positive perspectives on the past,” she added.

The documentary wishes to defy American exceptionalism, which is a lot like manifest destiny, the latter having to do with the U.S. expanding its influence, Noraian said.

American exceptionalism had its beginnings during the 1800s when the United States was expanding and forming its identity, she added.

Kuznick is a history teacher and director of the award-winning Nuclear Studies Institute at American University.

He is also a former professor from Noraian’s days as an undergraduate. Having kept in touch over the years, Noraian thought it would be perfect for them to come to campus and tell their story.

The event is free, but people will still need to get tickets, which are available at the Braden Box Office.

This is Stone and Kuznick’s first stop on their Midwest book tour.

The series premiered on Showtime on Nov. 12, 2012 and will run until the end of January.