Humanities Summit 2020: Crisis and Action

Humanities Summit 2020:  Crisis and Action

Sponsored by UIC Institute for the Humanities

August 19, 2020 11am-4:30pm
Online via Zoom (see link instructions below)

In the spring and summer of 2020, we’ve witnessed a global pandemic and increased violence — at state and local levels — against people of color.  This has been a time of grief, struggle, and resistance.  At this year’s summit, held on line via Zoom, students and faculty will reflect on this moment of crisis, and think together about the essential role that humanities can take in addressing it.  We will also invite conversation about how the humanities has been transformed by current conditions, and how humanities work can promote new, reparative, and productive collaborations with communities throughout Chicago.

11-12:30 Welcome—Mark Canuel (UIC)
Students Speak: Students present Research Projects from the Engaged Humanities Initiative
Moderator, Ellen McClure (UIC)

12:30-1 Break

1-2:30 The Humanities During a Crisis
How are humanities disciplines responding to times of medical and political crisis?  How are interconnected crises encouraging humanities work to transform itself and respond in creative ways to our present conditions?
Moderator, Laura Hostetler (UIC)
David Stovall (UIC)
Nadine Naber (UIC)
Ralph Cintron (UIC)
Shiben Banerji (School of the Art Institute)

2:30-3 Break

3-4:30 Neighborhood Engagement and Collaboration Strategy with the Chicago Humanities Festival
The Chicago Humanities Festival is including a range of Chicago area institutions in a Mellon-funded effort to ignite humanities programming and participation in our neighborhoods.  Join us in an information and brain-storming session as we think about how to activate the humanities in the communities where we live and work.
Moderator, Mark Canuel (UIC)
Alison Cuddy (CHF)
Ira Murfin (CHF)
Ellen McClure (UIC)
Enid Wells (Kennedy-King College)
Darby Johnson (Kennedy-King College)
Chloe Johnston (Lake Forest College)