Indiana University scholar to tackle racism then and now in WMU talk

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—A noted scholar from Indiana University will take a long view of race and racism when he talks this month at Western Michigan University.

Dr. Patrick Brantlinger, the James Rudy Professor Emeritus of English at I-U, will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, in the University Center for the Humanities, 2500 Knauss Hall. His presentation, titled "Race and Racism, 1700-2014," is free and open to the public.

Patrick Brantlinger

Brantlinger received bachelors degrees in English and history at Antioch College and masters and doctoral degrees in English at Harvard University. He was director of the Victorian Studies program at I-U and is regarded as one of the leading authorities on the history of race and gender relations in the Victorian period.

His published research has investigated the relationships between colonialism, violence and sexuality. His lecture will examine the influences of classical and enlightenment ideas on race in sciences and the pragmatic convergence between gender and identity in recent cultural studies.

His many influential scholarly works include "Rule of Darkness: British Literature and Imperialism, 1830-1900," "Crusoe's Footprints: Discourse on the Extinction of Primitive Races, 1800-1930," "Taming Cannibals: Race and the Victorians" and most recently, "States of Emergency: Essays in Culture and Politics."

Visiting Scholars and Artists Program

Brantlinger's visit is supported by the WMU Visiting Scholars and Artists Program and sponsored by the Department of English. The program began in 1960 and significantly contributes to the intellectual life of the entire University. These visitors meet with faculty and students in their fields and address the community at large. Since its inception, the program has supported more than 600 visits by scholars and artists representing more than 67 academic disciplines.

For more information, contact Dr. Christopher Nagle, associate professor of English and gender and women's studies, at (269) 387-2591 or christopher.nagle@wmich.edu.

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For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.