Emory students, faculty and community members seeking to broaden their intellectual horizons can participate in two colloquium series this fall: “Thinking Sexualities: Intersec-tions of Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Studies and Women’s Studies,” offered by the Department of Women’s Studies, and “Postcards From the Cutting Edge: Modern Family Life in America,” offered by the MARIAL center.

“Thinking Sexualities” is directed by Pamela Hall, women’s studies chair. According to Hall, the series “seeks to enact various intersections between women’s studies and LGBT studies, sometimes by a focus on LGBT experience in some specific time and place, or by more theoretical reflection on the ways in which the study of LGBT identity can and should matter to women’s studies as a discipline.”

“Consideration of LGBT lives—a consideration important in itself—enriches how women’s studies understand gender and sexuality in all their incarnations,” Hall said.
The first lecture of the series, “Constructing Views of ‘Lesbian’ Academic Practices: Playing with Feminist and Queer Theories,” presented by Susan Talburt of Georgia State University, was held Sept. 10. The event was a success, bringing in close to 40 attendees, according to women’s studies.

The schedule of remaining events is as follows:

Sept. 24: “Negotiating Queer Space and Women’s Space in the U.S. South,” presented by doctoral student Sarah Stanton.

Oct. 1: “Revolting Women: Sexuality and the Future of Feminist Education,” presented by Lisa Duggan of New York University.

Nov. 5: “Scriptural Polyamory: The Ghosts of Patriarchs Past,”presented by Mark Jordan, Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Religion.

The colloquium series is held in 207 White Hall at 4 p.m. and can be taken for two credit hours by Emory graduate students. Those interested in attending may contact the Department of Women’s Studies for further information at 404-727-0096 or visit www.emory.edu/WOMENS_STUDIES/.

Over on the Briarcliff Campus, the MARIAL (Myth and Ritual in American Life) Center is hosting its “Postcards from the Cutting Edge” series with the intention of expanding the boundaries within which research of this nature is traditionally focused.

Andrew Whitelegg, director of the colloquium, said it “concentrates on families that would not necessarily fall into the rubric of an American family. We are centering our attention in areas we haven’t gone before, expanding the notion of what is traditionally the middle-class ‘American family.’”

Topics focus on immigrant, low-income and caregiving families, as well as the subjects of urban sprawl and labor issues.

Cindia Cameron, organizing director of 9to5, the National Association of Working Women, presented the first lecture, “Between a Rock and a Low-Wage Job: The Work/Family Crisis for Low-Income Parents,” on Sept. 17.

Upcoming events are as follows:

Sept. 24: “La Gran Familia Mexicana: Work, Gender and Migration in Atlanta,” presented by Martha Rees of Agnes Scott College.

Oct. 8: “Labor Organizing and the Contradictions of Globalization,” presented by Andy Herod of the University of Georgia.

Oct. 29: “Parking Lot Nation–the Coming End of Suburbia, “ presented by James Kunstler, author and critic of urban sprawl.

Nov. 12: “The Juggling Act: How Well Do We Balance Work and Caregiving?” presented by Gail Hunt of the National Alliance for Caregiving.

All events are held in the MARIAL Center seminar room (Briarcliff Campus) at 4 p.m. Those interested in attending may contact Whitelegg for additional information at
404-727-3149 or visit www.emory.edu/COLLEGE/MARIAL/.