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Thursday, April 6, 2023

Summer 2023 Registration is open! Click here to view our current offerings.
Visit the Schedule of Classes — In-Person Courses // Online Courses

1909 - North Pole reached by American explorers Robert Peary & Matthew Henson

1980 - Post-It Notes introduced

1984 - 1st time 11 people in space at one time

The Liberal Maverick Fighting Race-Based Affirmative Action. The New York Times.

Smithsonian Afrofuturism exhibit honors creative visions of African diaspora. The GW Hatchet.

Did Media Learn Nothing From 2016? The Atlantic.

Image credit: Shealyn Fraser

This month we feature Shealyn Fraser, a senior in the American Studies BA/MA dual degree program. Shealyn’s studies focus extensively on Black Studies and, more specifically, the “relation of Black flesh to space, place, and surveillance within the United States.” Her research dives deep into the historical circumstances, contemporary theorization, and critiques of Western civilization.

Shealyn’s passion for writing extends outside of class and connects with her love of hip-hop, where she produces a column on how life events affect the hip-hop community titled “Block Politics.” She affectionately calls the column her baby, where she can “authentically and unapologetically '' be herself. Shealyn is also an Associate Editor for The Vibe Room, a black-owned publication that celebrates creatives and creative spaces doing exciting things with fashion, music, food, art, and culture in the DMV. Each issue features up-and-coming artists and entrepreneurs making our communities more unique.

Between her graduate studies and work in magazines and media, Shealyn’s passions, creativity, and vision are “constantly alive.”

Image credit: GW Hatchet

"John Vlach, a professor emeritus of American studies and anthropology and a celebrated folklorist, died from Alzheimer’s disease in October. He was 74. Vlach served as the chair of the American studies department, the director of the department’s graduate studies and the director of the department’s former folklife program, which taught courses on American material culture and African American, oral and art history."

Read GW Hatchet's feature on the late Professor Vlach
Support the Horton-Vlach Fund

Save the date for a memorial service that will take place on Saturday, June 24, 2023 in the City View Room at 1957 E Street on GW's campus. More details to come. 

GW CCAS Engaged Liberal Arts Speaker Series

I Am Not a Robot: The Entangled Futures of A.I. and the Humanities

When: Friday April 14, 2023; 10:00-4:30 PM
Where: University Student Center, Room 309

Register Here!

CLICK THE IMAGES ABOVE TO RSVP

Ugly Freedoms, Enemies Within, and Birchers: Three GW Scholars Discuss Anti-Democratic Tendencies in the Modern World

When: Wednesday April 26, 2023; 12:00-1:30 PM
Where: National Churchill Society Center, Gelman Library

Register Here!

Join GW faculty Elisabeth Anker, Harris Mylonas, and Matt Dallek for a conversation about anti-democratic developments in modern politics. Their three new books draw on political science, history, and other disciplines to examine the subterranean and often under-appreciated forces that have challenged liberal democracy and propped up authoritarian regimes around the world.

Professor Gayle Wald recently received coverage from GW Today for the musical adaptation of their 2007 book "Shout, Sister, Shout!", based on the life of the rock & roll trailblazer Sister Rosetta Tharpe. In addition, Professor Wald was quoted by The Washington Post in the article “‘Shout Sister Shout!’ celebrates the legacy of Sister Rosetta Tharpe.’’

Call for Applications: The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History is seeking a Web and Social Media Archivist. This is a specialist archivist position that will focus on establishing a new digital collection documenting the experiences of American women, through web and social media archiving. More information can be found here // Deadline: April 10, 2023

Call for Papers: The National Women's Studies Association is accepting papers for their upcoming 2023 Annual Conference in Baltimore, MD. To submit your paper, click here // Deadline: April 12, 2023.

Call for Papers: The Society for US Intellectual History Conference has opened their call for papers for their upcoming annual conference being held in Denver, Colorado from November 9-11, 2023. View more about their submission guidelines here // Deadline: April 15, 2023.

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What activities can I check out on the Vern? 

The lovely Spring weather makes this a perfect time to check out the Vern. Join students on Fountain Day at the Mount Vernon Campus. 

How can I get tap access to 2108 G Street if the building is locked after hours?

The AMST townhouse is open M-F; 9-5. To gain access to 2108 G Street after hours, email amst@gwu.edu with your GWID. In addition, check to make sure that your GWorld card has not expired. If so, head to the GWorld card office in the University Student Center (USC) to be issued a new card.

Like what you see? Have spotlights, kudos, events, or opportunities that you would like to share? We want to hear from you! Navigate to our feedback form using the link below, or more simply, forward your tip to amst@gwu.edu.