Villanova’s Lepage Center for History in the Public Interest Presents Spring Series on “Decolonizing History”
Villanova, Pa.— Decolonization may be familiar to some as a description of twentieth-century political movements that sought to overthrow European empires. But in recent years the word has come to acquire broader meanings in social and cultural debates, addressing concerns across society where the legacies of colonialism may still reside. It’s with that definition in mind that the Albert Lepage Center for History in the Public Interest at Villanova University presents a series of events examining what it might mean to “decolonize” the practice of history itself.
The full lineup of lectures is as follows:
“Decolonization and Black Internationalism: A Conversation with Dr. Adom Getachew”
Wednesday, Feb. 3 from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
“Decolonizing Nationalism, Anti-Colonialism, and Anti-Westernism in the 'Rest' of the World: A Roundtable Discussion with Professors Cemil Aydin, Stella Krapp, and Andrew Liu”
Wednesday, Feb. 10 from 6 – 7:30 p.m.
“Decolonizing Post-Colonialism: A Conversation with Dr. Nitasha Kitaul”
Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
“Decolonizing Art: A Conversation with Dr. Monique Renee Scott”
Wednesday, March 3, 2021, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
“Decolonizing Museums: A Roundtable Discussion with Dr. Dan Hicks, Dr. Ruba Kana'an, and curator Chaédria LaBouvier”
Wednesday, March 10, 2021, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
“Decolonizing Art: A Conversation about Indigenous Arts and Exhibitions”
Wednesday, March 17, 2021, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
“Decolonizing Medicine: A Conversation”
Wednesday, April 7, 2021, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
“Decolonizing Vaccines: A Roundtable Discussion with Dr. Merlin Chowkwanyun, Dr. Jayati Ghosh, and Dr. Farren Yero”
Wednesday, April 14, 2021, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
“Decolonizing Medicine: A Conversation with Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith
Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
The Albert Lepage Center for History in the Public Interest is a multifaceted resource that draws upon the past to impart lessons for the modern world. Led by director Elizabeth Kolsky, PhD, associate professor of history at Villanova, the Lepage Center engages the public through academic programs, research, publications, and events.
In the past three years the Center has hosted historically informed and civic-minded conversations on the ‘fake news’ crisis, the U.S. Civil War, the Holocaust, the Cold War, the state of American Democracy, the fate of democracy around the world, and more. In the summer of 2020, the Center launched an initiative to fund research and projects related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.