Arts and Humanities Lecture Series

By Jodie Mocciaro
University Communications student-intern

The 400th birthday of “Don Quixote” author Miguel de Cervantes will be celebrated in a spring “intellectual and artistic exploration” lecture series that begins Monday, Feb. 28.

The College of Arts and Humanities 2005 Spring Lecture Series begins with a lecture by Dr. Sander Van der Leeuw on “Environment and Crisis of the Roman Empire” at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the Smittcamp Alumni House.

The lecture is free and open to the public. Sander Van der Leeuw’s appearance is in conjunction with The Alliance Francaise de Fresno, Inc. and the Fresno State Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures.

Van der Leeuw, chair of the department of anthropology at Arizona State University, demonstrates how modern archaeology can contribute to an understanding of present-day environmental problems. His research draws parallels between the first known anthropogenic climatic degradation in southern France during the Roman Empire (800 BC to 800 AD) and environmental management in the 21 st century.

The birthday of “Quixote” author Cervantes will be celebrated April 11-12 with several presentations and displays:

• The Cervantes Symposium from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the University Business Center. Keynote speaker will be Dr. Alban K. Forcione, Alma Schapiro Professor in the Humanities at Columbia University.
• “Cervantes and the Visual Art of Spain” art exhibit with pieces selected by Dr. Gina Strumwasser in the President’s Gallery in the Thomas Administration Building.
•  “Music for the Golden Age of Spain” at 8 p.m. in the Music building Concert Hall. Performers are the Fresno State Chamber Singers directed by Dr. Anna Hamre; the Clendenin Brass Quintet, Dr. Michael Caldwell, trumpet, and Dr. Cory Whitehead, guitar.

• An exhibit in the Henry Madden Library of some of Cervantes works and other books relating to Don Quixote in the first-floor lobby collection display.

Other speakers in the spring lecture series are Dr. Kevin Ayotte, “Weapons of Mass Deterrence Selling the Distinction Between Worthy and Unworthy Weapons,” on March 7; Dr. David Ross, “What’s Modern About (Early) Modern Philosophy,” on April 4; and Jose Cruz Gonzalez, “Bilingual Theatre for Young Audiences: The Value, Challenges, and Considerations for the Playwright, Director, Producer, and Teacher,” on April 21.

For more information on the lecture series, contact Dr. Jose Diaz at 8-3056.