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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Villanova University

Lepage Center for History in the Public Interest Offers Spring “Turning Points in History” Lecture Series

VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova University’s Albert Lepage Center for History in the Public Interest will continue its 2021 – 2022 lecture series, “Turning Points in History,” on Wednesday, February 9 at 6 p.m. on Zoom with a panel discussion on “The Move Bombing: A Turning Point in the in History of Philadelphia?"

Speakers Mike Africa Jr., activist, writer and host of the podcast "Ona Move w/Mike Africa, Jr." and Krystal Strong, PhD, assistant professor Literacy, Culture, and International Education Division, University of Pennsylvania will examine the May 13, 1985 bombing of the home of the MOVE organization as a turning point in the history of Philadelphia. They will discuss recent developments such as the revelation of the Penn Museum’s use of human remains as “teaching tools” and how scholars and activists are reclaiming the MOVE narrative. The discussion will be moderated by Crystal J. Lucky, PhD, professor of English and associate dean of Baccalaureate Studies, Villanova University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Founded in 2017 and housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Lepage Center is a multifaceted resource for students, teachers, industry, journalists and elected officials that draws upon the past to impart lessons for today’s world. The Center engages the public, policymakers, scholars, teachers and students from history and other fields through academic programs, research, publications and events.

Additional events this spring include:

 

“Gentrification and Residential Racial Segregation in Philadelphia”

Feb. 23, 2022, 6 - 7:30 p.m.

A recent article  in The Philadelphia Inquirer  revealed that Philadelphia is one of the most racially segregated cities in America. Join the Lepage Center for a conversation with a local public historian and the journalists who broke the story for a historically informed conversation about the past and present history of residential segregation in Philadelphia.

Speakers:

  • Faye Anderson, director,  All That Philly Jazz

  • Michaelle Bond, residential real estate reporter, The Philadelphia Inquirer

  • Aseem Shukla, data reporter and developer, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Moderated by Inga Saffron, journalist and architecture critic, The Philadelphia Inquirer

 

“1619 as a Turning Point in History”

Mar. 9, 2022, 6 - 7:30 p.m.

The year 1619 marks the first arrival of Africans on Virginia soil. Why is this year considered a turning point in the history of the United States? Join the Lepage Center for a conversation with The 1619 Project contributor Leslie Alexander, PhD, about the significance of 1619 for our understanding of US American history.

Speaker:

  • Leslie Alexander, PhD, Fellow, Society for the Humanities, Cornell University, and Associate Professor in the School of Historical, Philosophical, and Religious Studies, Arizona State University.  

Moderated by Maghan Keita, PhD, professor of History and Global Interdisciplinary Studies, Villanova University

 

“The 1619 Project as a Turning Point in History”

Mar. 23, 2022, 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Was the publication of The 1619 Project in The New York Times Magazine a turning point in history? Why has it generated so much public controversy? Join us for a roundtable discussion about the impact of this important essay collection with historians and journalists, including the Editor-in-Chief of The New York Times Magazine. 
 

Speakers:

  • Austin McCoy, PhD, assistant professor in History,  Auburn University

  • Jake Silverstein, editor-in-chief,  The New York Times Magazine

  • Linda Villarosa, contributing writer, The New York Times Magazine

Moderated by Terry Nance, PhD, associate vice provost for Diversity and Inclusion, chief diversity officer, and professor, Villanova University

 

“Rethinking Latin American Independence in the 21st Century”

Apr. 6, 2022, 6 - 7:30 p.m.

The year 2020 marked the beginning of a decade-long commemoration of Latin American independence movements. These bicentennial celebrations invite us to revisit how we understand the creation of these nations and their significance as turning points in history. How were the various independence movements in Spanish American colonies related to Brazilian independence? How did these processes shape the Age of Atlantic Revolutions? 

Speakers:

  • Marcela Echeverri, PhD, associate professor of History, Yale University

  • João Paulo Pimenta, PhD, professor of History, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil

  • Alejandro Rabinovich, PhD, associate professor of History and Researcher, CONICET and Universidad de la Pampa, Argentina

Moderated by Cristina Soriano, PhD, associate professor of History, Villanova University

 

“Understanding the Recent Protests in Cuba”

Apr. 20, 2022, 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Event and registration details forthcoming. 

 

About Villanova University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: Since its founding in 1842, Villanova University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has cultivated knowledge, understanding and intellectual courage for a purposeful life in a challenging and changing world. With more than 40 majors across the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences, it is the oldest and largest of Villanova’s colleges, serving more than 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students each year. The College is committed to a teacher-scholar model, offering outstanding undergraduate and graduate research opportunities and a rigorous core curriculum that prepares students to become critical thinkers, strong communicators and ethical leaders with a truly global perspective.