Tag Archives: theory

Theory Certificate presents “The Illusion of Equality”

From Professor Matthew Garrett:

The Certificate in Social, Cultural, and Critical Theory presents:
“The Illusion of Equality in Kantian Cosmopolitanism”

Jameliah Bournahou (Georgia College and College of the Holy Cross)

This talk is co-sponsored by the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program.

Some scholars argue that Kant is universally egalitarian because in the essay “Toward Perpetual Peace” (1795), Kant offers new provisions that displace the racist views that he previously held in the essays on race of the 1780s. This argument presumes that Kant’s cosmopolitan philosophy is synonymous with universal egalitarianism because it is understood to be opposed to inequality. Professor Bournahou argues that Kant’s cosmopolitan philosophy is not universally egalitarian and in fact allows for inequality. Bournahou refers to a lesser recognized discussion Kant has in “Toward Perpetual Peace” where he argues that the cosmopolitan goal is to unify the nations and not the moral improvement of the species which would presumably establish universal egalitarianism.

Date: Tuesday, October 2
Time: 4:30-6:00 PM
PlaceDowney 113

Entrepreneurship Studies 101 Pitch Fest

WHEN WILL YOU MAKE SOMETHING

Full disclosure: This Wesleying writer also happens to be one of the hosts of this event, so that’s that.

From Alex Cantrell ’14 and Katya Sapozhnina ’16:

After a semester dissecting what it means to be an entrepreneur and developing our entrepreneurial skills, the student forum “Out of Theory, Into Practice: Entrepreneurship Studies 101” invites you to come to our final class and pitch fest to see what we’ve been cooking up.

Students will present their ideas to a panel of judges and will receive feedback shark-tank style. Let them awe you with their creativity and ambition, and come take part in the growing entrepreneurial community here at Wesleyan.

We hope to see you there! There will be light snacks and delicious mate tea.

What: Entrepreneurship Studies 101 final pitch fest
Where: Allbritton 113
When: 7pm sharp
Cost: none/free

History/Theory and Screenplay Presentations

url-4From Emily Brown ’12:

Can’t get enough of film? Want something to tide you over now that the Film Series has closed its doors for the year? Love presentations? The Film Department would like to invite you to our History/Theory and Screenplay Presentations.

5pm–History/Theory Presentation
6pm–Reception
7pm–Screenplay Presentations

Date: Tues, May 6
Time: 5-9 p.m.
Place: Center for Film Studies

Judith Butler has Great Hair, Lively Hands in New Promotional Video

How much Judith Butler is just enough? Have you read her in class? Did you follow her involvement in the BDS debacle at Brooklyn College? Did you freak out when you heard she was speaking at Memorial Chapel? Do you think she critically analyzed Zionism to satisfactory depth that Wednesday? (If not, don’t worry; the talk was adapted from parts of her new book.) I know you read the 8-part countdown and wrap-up series that Kelsey Henry ’15 wrote for the Pyxis blog, so I won’t even ask about that.

Anyway, if you’ve even read this far without clicking play on the YouTube embed above, you may or may not be surprised to know that Wesleyan recently released a 15-minute interview with Butler (who was a visiting professor here from 1984 to 1986, if Wikipedia is to be believed) for your viewing pleasure, from her visit back in February. Interestingly, top-level administrators decided to give the honor of interviewing the widely read philosopher to Michael S. Roth ’78, a visiting professor in the Art History department, over someone more established at Wesleyan. Life’s like a box of chocolates, yo.

The conversation spans a range of topics; Butler speaks on her own introduction to philosophy (she received a “punished” by engaging in a tutorial on philosophy with her Rabbi), writing feminist theory (her friends encouraged her to do it), her reaction to 9/11, Gender Troublethe importance of memorialization, a book recommendation (of course), and much more. Spoiler alert: she did not have much to say about being tweeted about or being surrounded by humanities majors. Once you’ve devoured the interview, you might want to check out what was my first substantial introduction to Butler’s thought, a lecture she presented at a conference called The Anarchist Turn.  Just stop reading this and go engage with JuBu; she’s good at words and I’m not. Seriously, stop reading. I’m getting nervous.

Wesleyan Film Theses 2012: Part One — The Fellowship of the Text

It all began with the forging of the Great Papers.  Seven were given to the Film Studies Professors; immortal, wisest and fairest of all beings. And now those seven will be gifted to the race of Wesleyan Students, who above all else desire power. For within these papers was bound the strength and the will to govern over an entire campus.

This is it, folks. Come hear six great screenplay pitches and one historical/theoretical rundown from seven amazing senior Film majors.  The chosen few and their works are:

Douglas Bensimon ’12: The Nazi
Carolyn Cohen ’12: Squanderland
William Donald ’12: Off the Trail
Miriam Smith-Drelich ’12: Goodnight, Sunshine
Zachary J. Valenti ’12: Smokin’ Ocean
Jeremy P. Wolf ’12: Camp Goggles
Sarah Shachat ’12: Intrigue, Blood, and Naked Breasts: Strategies of the Epic Series on Premium Cable

Jeanine Basinger, head of the Department of Film Studies, says this is the best collection of written work she’s seen at Wesleyan. And she’s seen A LOT here.

Date: Sunday, May 6
Time: 2:00 pm
Place: Powell Family Cinema, Center for Film Studies
Cost: Free