Dates and Events Include:

Reading group discussion of "The Politics of the Veil" by renowned gender studies scholar Joan Scott. Scott,  Harold F. Linder Professor of History, at Princeton University, will discuss the French government's controversial decision to ban the wearing of headscarves during a public lecture on Thursday, March 17th at 6:30pm.  Come join others for a group discussion lasagna luncheon before the big lecture!  Luncheon will be held at the University Center, Room 340, Memphis Room A, at the University of Memphis. 

Thur.,  March 17, 2011  

9:30--11:00am

Drop in coffee at CROW with Dr. Pepper Schwartz.  Please join the Center for Research on Women as we welcome Dr. Pepper Schwartz to the University of Memphis. Get a chance to mingle with Dr. Schwartz before heading over to the University Center for her lecture, Sexuality Throughout the Life Cycle.

1: 00pm

Dr. Pepper Schwartz's lecture on Sexuality Throughout the Life Cycle.  Leading relationship expert, and Professor of Sociology at the University of Washington in Seattle, Dr. Pepper Schwartz lectures nationally and internationally on relationship topics, women’s issues, parent and child issues, communication between men and women in intimate and work relationships, and maintaining personal and family well-being in today’s world.  Please join Dr. Schwartz at 1:00pm in the University Center Theatre, room 145 for her public lecture, Sexuality Throughout the Life Cycle. This event is co-sponsored by Sociology, Women’s and Gender Studies, and the Center for Research On Women. For more information about Dr. Schwartz click here.

6: 30pm

The Marcus W. Orr Faculty Senate Lecture on The Politics of the Veil featuring Professor Joan Scott, PhD., Harold F. Linder Professor of History, Princeton University. Scott, an innovative historian of women and ideas, will discuss the French government's controversial decision to ban the wearing of headscarves.  Describing the policy as clumsy effort to assimilate Muslims, Scott criticizes its automatic equation between women’s liberation and sexual openness.  A reception will be held at 6:30pm followed by a public lecture in the University Center Theatre at the University of Memphis. For more information contact The Marcus W. Orr Center for the Humanities at the University of Memphis. Co-Sponsored by the Center for Research on Women.

Wed., March 23, 2011 12:00pm

The Art in Children’s Literature of the Nineteenth-Century: Illustrations for Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, Rose in Bloom, and An Old Fashioned Girl. The Art in Children’s Literature of the Nineteenth-Century will examine illustrations of well-known texts of nineteenth-century children’s literature, including illustrations for Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women and Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. 

This presentation will focus on how small changes in illustration for different editions can change the focus and emphasis of scenes in the text. The presentation on the specific illustrations will be followed by a discussion of a mother-daughter book club that worked on reading Little Women. This portion of the talk will focus on how illustrations and film productions of the text brought the book to life for young readers. Panelists will include Associate Professor of English at the University of Memphis, and children’s literature specialist, Lorinda B. Cohoon, and Lynda M. Sagresanto, Director of the Center for Research on Women at the University of Memphis. Program participants will be asked to share their responses to illustrations and other visual interpretations of well-known children’s texts from the nineteenth century. The program will be held at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens, 4339 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN 38117.

Program supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities apropos of the grant title “Louisa May Alcott, the Woman behind Little Women, and honoring Women’s History Month, 2011. In conjunction with the Dixon’s Munch and Learn program.

Thur., March 24, 2011 7:00pm

Between Two Worlds: My Life and Captivity in Iran, featuring author Roxana Saberi.  Saberi, an Iranian-American journalist, is the author of Between Two Worlds: My Life and Captivity in Iran. Saberi was working as a freelance journalist in Iran when she was arrested and detained in Evin Prison in January 2009.  She was released after her case captured the world’s attention. Saberi is now writing and speaking out for human rights and “prisoners of conscience” in Iran. Her book tells the story of her arrest and captivity, shares the struggles and courage of her cellmates that inspired her along the way, and describes her personal journey as she strives to defy her captors and be true to herself, regardless of the consequences.

This event is free and open to the public as part of Facing History’s national series of Community Conversations. A limited quantity of Between Two Worlds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Seating is limited. Please call Leslie Vanelli at 901-452-1776 ext. 222 with questions.

Sat., March 26, 2011 7:00pm

Celebrate "Support a Woman Artist Today" Day! Come celebrate women artists by watching the documentary, "Who does she think she is?" and participating in a panel discussion with women artists. Following the discussion will be a dance, music and poetry revue. It will take place at the University Center Theater on the U of M campus. 7-10 pm. For more information contact Valentine Leonard at valentinephilos@gmail.com or 901.239.9919

Wed., March 30, 2011 1:00pm

Louisa May Alcott: the Woman behind

Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women is a documentary film co-produced by Nancy Porter Productions, Inc. and Thirteen/WNET New York’s American Masters, and a biography of the same name written by Harriet Reisen. Louisa May Alcott programs in libraries are sponsored by the American Library Association Public Programs Office with the support of the National Endowment for the Humanities.