Lucy blog topics

1. Throughout the novel, Lucy's relationships with others reveal a great deal about the development of her sense of who she is. For example, we've begun to explore how Lucy's interactions with Mariah lead her to reflect on her relationship with her own mother. With this in mind, explore the significance of Lucy's friendship with Peggy.

2. Although we are often told not to "judge a book by its cover," cover art has a significant impact on our impressions of a novel. It has the power to shape the way we imagine a character's appearance, the setting, or even the mood of the story. How does the cover image on your copy of Lucy influence your understanding of the novel?

3. How does this novel relate to this section of the course (displacement) or even the previous one (room of one's own)?

Lahiri's interview

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• What does "Interpreter of Maladies" mean to you?
• What aspects of literary style does Lahiri mention (hint: when she described what she looked for in short stories)?
• What "story" might Lahiri be telling about Indian-American identity and experience?
• What "two worlds" is she trying to bring together and how might this affect your reading of "This Blessed House"?

HUST week!

Two events to share with you to celebrate HUST week (3/16-3/20):

1. "What a liberal arts degree will get you in the global economy": A talk by recent SMC/HUST alums, Rachael Stow '07 and Kate Williams '07. The event will take place in 140 Spes Unica (our classroom) on Thursday, March 19 at 7 p.m. Check it out if you're interested in learning more about what Humanistic Studies translates into in the "real world."

2. An exciting, popular HUST course available in the Fall: "Friends and Lovers: Readings in Greek and Roman Culture" (TR 2-3:15, Instructor: John Shinners). Sign up for HUST 292 and get a chance to answer questions like: Do "love" and "friendship" mean for us what they meant for ancient Greeks and Romans? How did people understand beauty and sexual attraction? Do stories of classical mythology reflect the reality of what life was like in the ancient world??

Another extra credit opportunity

Since we've been discussing the relationship between space and self, place and person--especially regarding gendered spaces--many of you might take interest in a talk offered this week. Professor David Sokol (University of Illinois) will give a lecture on Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple (in Oak Park, Illinois) and the relationship between the congregation and the architect, as well as the exclusion of women from the design process. The talk will be next Wednesday, March 25th at Vander Vennet Theater at 4:30.

Extra Credit Blog Opportunity

FOURTH ANNUAL DIVERSE STUDENTS' LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
March 18-20, 2009
Saint Mary's College. Notre Dame, Indiana

Closing Keynote Speaker: Dr. Julianne Malveaux
Opening Keynote Speaker: Dr. Jennifer Fluri

This conference is structured to allow participants opportunities to:

(1) Identify the challenges and underlying prejudices that exist in various social institutions.
(2) Develop educational and interactive skills to transform the challenges of diversity into opportunities.
(3) Become empowered leaders actively promoting the advantages of diversity.

DSLC brings together professionals, faculty, community members and students from different universities. Workshop topics include issues of class, politics of difference, peace and conflict, immigration, global inequality, sexual orientation, peace and conflict, cultural and religious diversity. To check out a list of possible workshops or to sign up, go to this website. ** The deadline for registration is Friday, March 13th.

A highlight of this year’s DSLC promises to be our keynote speaker Dr. Julianne Malveaux President of Bennett College for Women. Recognized for her progressive and insightful observations, she is also an economist, author and commentator, and has been described by Dr. Cornel West as “the most iconoclastic public intellectual in the country.” Dr. Malveaux’s contributions to the public dialogue on issues such as race, culture, gender, and their economic impacts, are shaping public opinion in 21st century America.

For more information, please contact Multicultural Services and Student Programs at Saint Mary's College at (574) 284-4721 or at lolinort@saintmarys.edu