2108 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20052

Thursday, March 7, 2024

**  HAVE A HAPPY & SAFE SPRING BREAK! **

1530 - English King Henry VIII’s divorce request is denied by the Pope

1968 - The BBC broadcasts the news for the first time in color on television

1996 - The Hubble Space Telescope captures the first surface photos of Pluto

British Museum’s “Sexist” Roman Empire Meme Backfires Spectacularly. Hyperallergic.

Oscars 2024 Predictions: Who Will Win Best Picture, Actor and Actress?  The New York Times.

The U.S. Health System’s Single Point of Failure.
The Atlantic.

Photo Credit: Matthew Klena

This newsletter edition we spotlight Matthew Klena, an American Studies MA student currently researching American imperialism.

After receiving his undergraduate degree from SUNY Maritime College, Matthew chose to continue his studies at GW and was drawn to the American Studies program because of its interdisciplinary nature. Currently, Matthew has been researching American imperialism and how domestic influences affect the nation’s foreign policy. Last August, Matthew conducted research at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England where he was able to study firsthand accounts of the interactions between 19th century English sailors and Americans. Matthew found this experience especially impactful due to the changing power dynamic between the two world leaders at the time.

Matthew also explored American colonial expansion into the Philippines. As part of his research, Matthew studied speeches from 19th century senator Albert Beveridge, a known advocate of imperialism. Beveridge’s speeches provide insight into the motivations, ideologies, and consequences of early 19th century American imperialism. Additionally, the Library of Congress has been critical in Matthew’s research, as he examined the various reactions of different communities to Beveridge’s speech. By studying Beveridge’s speeches and the broader political climate of the time period, Matthew hopes to deepen his understanding of the impact of imperialism on American and global society.

Last semester, Matthew also worked as a graduate teaching assistant for Professor Anker’s Politics and Film course, an experience that was useful for his own research as well. In his free time, Matthew enjoys reading, cooking, and exploring museums in the city!

2024 Mergen-Palmer Distinguished Lecture

"Just When You Think It's Over:
On Normporn and Neverending Bereavement"

Professor Karen Tongson
Chair of Gender & Sexuality Studies, 
& Professor of Gender and Sexuality Studies, 
English and American Studies and Ethnicity,
University of Southern California

When: Monday, April 8, 2024; 4:00-5:30 PM
Where: 2201 G Street NW, Washington, DC
Duques Hall, Room 251

In this lecture, Professor Karen Tongson discusses her new book Normporn, a meditation on letting go of grief that began on an intimate scale of (self) examination and expanded to a broader political and cultural inquiry into the television that soothes queer viewers—sometimes against our better aesthetic and political judgment. In the wake of the book’s release, however, new traumas both personal and global emerged, posing a challenge to the author’s cruel optimism about the “end” of cycles of loss and bereavement. The presentation is an honest assessment of the world bound by the book, and what shattered its resolutions. 

Normporn: Queer Viewers and the TV That Soothes Us is available via NYU Press.

Register Here!
*Less than 20 seats remain!*

Where the Flags are Today: A Visit to the Home of In America: Remember

This event offers the first public access to the physical and digital archive of Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg's memorial art installations. Visitors can revisit In America: Remember, which appeared on the D.C. National Mall in the Fall of 2021, and In America: How could this happen..., held at the D.C. Armory in the Fall of 2020.

When: Thursday, March 7, 2024; 1:00-7:00 PM
Where: 4800 Auburn Ave. Bethesda, MD

2024 WGSS Yulee Symposium

"Hungry Translations: Yearning for Justice"
Prof. Richa Nagar

Richa Nagar is Professor of the College in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Her multi-lingual and multi-genre work blends scholarship, creative writing, theatre, and activism to build alliances with people’s struggles and to engage questions of ethics, responsibility, and justice. 

When: Wednesday, March 27, 2024; 5:00-8:00 PM
Where: 1957 E Street, Room 113

Register Here.

International Transgender Day of Visibility
Talk & Screening

GW's Allied in Pride will be hosting an International Transgender Day of Visibility Talk and Screening. The event will feature GW American Studies Professor Emily Bock, who will speak about the history and culture of underground ballroom culture and the impact of queer and trans communities in these spaces. The event will also be screening an episode of the show Pose (2018), while also providing free pizza and drinks.

When: Sunday, March 31, 2024; 11:30-1:00 PM
Where: Funger Hall, Room 108

Current PhD candidate GJ Sevillano was recently awarded the 2024 Philip Amsterdam Graduate Teaching Assistant Award.

Alum Ashley Brown (PhD '17) was recently awarded the Herbert Warren Wind Award from the United States Golf Association for her monograph Serving Herself: The Life and Times of Althea Gibson.

Prof. Anker recently toured the US Capitol with American Studies majors currently enrolled in Examining America.

Call for Applications: The Maryland Center for History and Culture (MCHC) is seeking qualified candidates for a short-term research fellowship on the subject of the history of religious diversity in Maryland. Click here to learn more // Deadline: Mar. 15, 2024

Call for Applications: The Early Career Scholars Committee & Mentorship Program (ECSCMP) of the Massachusetts Historical Society seeks new members for their 2024 cohort. Click here to learn more // Deadline: Mar. 15, 2024

Call for Papers: The National Women's Studies Association has opened their call for paper submissions for their 2024 Annual Conference. Click here to learn more // Deadline: Apr. 1, 2024

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What We're Listening To:
"Old Friends" - Simon & Garfunkel
"Carrie & Lowell" - Sufjan Stevens

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.