'African American Traditions' Seminar Set For June

4-29-97

University Park, Pa. -- The lives and works of African American writers, poets, dramatists, filmmakers, activists, artists, musicians and steelworkers are among the topics that will be covered by an interdisciplinary research seminar June 22-28 at Penn State's University Park campus.

The seminar, "African American Traditions," is being presented by Penn State's Institute for the Arts and Humanistic Studies, in collaboration with many other University offices.

"While African American culture actually unites many areas of artistic and academic thought and expression, these areas are often approached separately," said Robert R. Edwards, director and fellow of the Institute. "One of our aims with this seminar is to find ways of translating advanced research in the arts and humanities so that it goes outside the boundaries of academic discussion and has an impact on our everyday lives, values and aspirations."

In addition to the presentation of scholarly papers and discussions, the seminar will also include a staged reading of "Brothers Keeper," a new play by Charles Dumas, associate professor of theatre arts at Penn State; a screening of two films with African American themes; and a performance by jazz scholar and saxophonist Barry Kernfeld and area musicians.

The seminar is focused on an interdisciplinary exchange of new and emerging work in the arts and humanities and its topics are organized along three broad outlines: the social thought on race and culture of W.E.B. Du Bois and other African Americans in public life, the linkages of African and African American cultures, and African American art.

Individual topics include W.E.B. Du Bois on race and culture; "double consciousness" in African American literature; African American leadership and progressive politics; West African griots (musicians/entertainers) and the African American tradition; African metaphors in African American art; and the struggles of African American steelworkers.

The seminar will be held at the Penn State Conference Center and Hotel. Its many co-sponsors include the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost; the College of Arts and Architecture and the College of the Liberal Arts; several departments, including the Department of African and African American Studies; and the Office of Summer Sessions.

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For more information, contact Sue Reighard at the Institute, (814) 865-0495 or via e-mail at <iahs@psu.edu>. Contacts: Alan Janesch (814) 865-7517 (office) axj12@psu.edu