Fall Merienda Speaker Series will kick off with discussion on NAFTA


LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies will host speakers from diverse programs such as business, Spanish & Portuguese, art & design and anthropology.

The Fall 2017 Merienda Speaker Series continues the tradition of showcasing speakers from KU who work and research in Latina/o communities in the United States, as well as Latin American and Caribbean countries.

This spring, CLACS welcomes the following faculty members:

  • Melissa Birch, associate professor in the School of Business, who will discuss the relations between the United States and Mexico and NAFTA
  • Omaris Zamora, assistant professor and transnational Black Dominican studies scholar in the Department of Spanish & Portuguese, whose interactive workshop will examine the representation and lack thereof of AfroLatinxs in U.S. media and cultural production
  • Tim Hossler, assistant professor in the School of Architecture & Design, who will present research on how visual culture defines the idea of place, specifically focusing on Havana, Cuba
  • Brent Metz, associate professor of anthropology, who will explore the methodology he used to uncover how people decide who is indigenous in the ethnicallydisputed tri-border region of El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala

The Merienda Speaker Series aims to allow attendees to engage in discussions with expert scholars and learn about emerging research in Latin American and Caribbean Studies in an informal setting. This semester, the presentations are interactive to emphasize conversation and activities between the speaker and audience members.

All of the Meriendas will take place in 318 Bailey Hall, with free food and refreshments provided.

The dates are as follows:

"NAFTA: The Worst Trade Agreement?"

Melissa Birch, School of Business

2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15

 

"Reppin' la Patria?: AfroLatinidad & Representation in U.S. Media & Culture"

Omaris Zamora, Spanish & Portuguese

2:30 p.m. Sept. 28

 

"Do you know what they call a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in Havana?"

Tim Hossler, art & design

2 p.m. Oct. 11 

 

"How Do You Tell Who’s Indigenous in Latin America Anymore?"

Brent Metz, anthropology

2:30 p.m. Nov. 9.

For more information and a schedule of events, please visit latamst.ku.edu or contact Aron Muci at 785-864-4213 or amuci0915@ku.edu.

Thu, 09/07/2017

author

Stefanie Torres

Media Contacts

Aron Muci

Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies

785-864-4213