Previous Presentations
Fall 2016
September 30
From Academic Article to Fantasy Novel: Medieval Alchemy and The Alchemists’ Council
Cynthea Masson, English Department
From the alchemical hermaphrodite to the philosopher’s stone, the language and iconography of alchemy has both fascinated and confused scholars and laypeople for centuries. And it has inspired writers. The transformation of scholarship into fiction is an alchemical process in itself, and the story of that journey a fascinating tale.
October 21
Kwak’wala Language Revitalization: Is it Possible?
Laura Cranmer, Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies Department
Guided by her Elders and drawing on memories evoked by her grandmother’s photos, recent PhD graduate Dr Laura Cranmer’s research focuses on the challenges facing an adult heritage language learner in reclaiming her language, Kwak’wala. The story behind her research is one of a residential school survivor reclaiming identity, and it provides insights into this process for all of us.
November 25
Hogan’s Alley Remixed: Learning through Wayde Compton’s Poetics
Paul Watkins, English Department
Black Canadian writer/poet, DJ, and historian Wayde Compton incorporates hip-hop and the turntable — the methods of the DJ — in his poetry to mix and remix past and present, African and European traditions, and the oral and the written to critique power, identity, and history. Experience how Compton’s Performance Bond reimagines and recovers Hogan’s Alley, Vancouver’s historical Black community.
For further information contact:
Katharine Rollwagen at Katharine.Rollwagen@viu.ca
