Series of lectures and films offers insights into diverse Hispanic American societies
NOVEMBER 12, 2015 | BY KELLEY NORRIS
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the University of Mississippi Department of Modern Languages has been hosting its first Hispanic Heritage Series of lectures and films. The series is set to conclude this evening (Nov. 12) with a lecture by Gregory Love, associate professor of political science, at 6 p.m. in the Turner Center, Room 205.
The lecture, “Radical political movements and victims,” will be followed by the movie “Operation E.” The lecture and the movie are free. The movie, which contains English subtitles, has earned critical acclaim at several film festivals.
Gregory Love, associate professor of political science
“In the next 12 to 18 months, we might see the end to one of the longest civil wars in modern history,” Love said. “Preliminary peace agreements aim to resolve Colombia’s more than 40-year-long conflict between the government, Marxist rebels and paramilitary fighters. The fighting has cost the lives of over 230,000 people and displaces more than 5 million. This conflict, funded in part by the drug trade and U.S. military assistance, has shaped the politics, economics and lives of nearly all Colombians.”
Organizers Diane Marting, Irene Kaufmann and Karma Sanchez, all faculty members in the Department of Modern Languages, launched this series of lectures and films to provide insights into the diverse Hispanic American societies in the local community as well as abroad. The series has explored contemporary issues such as religion, gender and immigration.
“We want to facilitate enriched understanding of our global community,” said Sanchez, an instructor of Spanish.
This event begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m. preceding the lecture and the screening. Campus parking is free to guests after 6 p.m.
The series has featured lectures, delivered by UM professors, that reflected upon history and current events in the Hispanic world. The lectures have been followed by contemporary films from Spanish-speaking countries, and end with question-and-answer sessions.
“We’ve been really lucky to have speakers available about so many different areas of Latin America – and the films,” said Marting, associate professor of Spanish. “Even more, we are so gratified by the overwhelmingly positive response to these lectures and films that we hope to repeat the series next year.”
The lecture series is supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities through the Mississippi Humanities Council. The Spanish Film Club series is made possible by Pragda, SPAIN Arts and Culture and the Secretary of State for the Culture of Spain. The reception is made possible by the UM College of Liberal Arts.
Click here for a complete list of events, or contact Marting at dmarting@olemiss.edu for more information.