The Leading Edge

Events

Monday, Oct. 29

Witches, Shapeshifters, and the Law in 19th-Century Sierra Leone — Trina Leah Hogg, Assistant Professor in the School of History, Philosophy, and Religion, will discuss the intense debates over legal jurisdiction prompted by encounters between British imperialists and indigenous African legal practices dealing with the “Human Leopard Society” and other alleged supernatural deviants—witches, shapeshifters, and malevolent medicine men—in colonial-era Sierra Leone. 4 p.m., The Center for the Humanities, Autzen House, 811 SW Jefferson Ave.

The OSU Festival of Voices Gala Concert — 7 p.m. at the LaSells Stewart Center. Admission is free.

Tuesday, Oct. 30

Biodiversity and the History of Scientific Environments — This workshop brings together scholars from environmental history, historical geography, and the history of science to analyze how scientific spaces were used and reconfigured during long-term research. The talks examine disciplines including horticulture, ecology, and astronomy, and sites across the globe ranging from seascapes to observatories, and from gardens to woods. 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Memorial Union, Journey Room 105. Lightly catered.

Ecologies of Science and Story: Perspectives on Communicating Yellowstone — Documentary film producer David Baker (“Saving Atlantis”) will preview his new project, “Second Warning.”; Scientist Robert Beschta will discuss his work uncovering the trophic cascade that resulted from reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone; Environmental journalist Ben Goldfarb considers the beaver’s unsung role in popular narratives of the trophic cascade; and Rhetoric scholar Chelsea Graham reveals how steam plays a surprising, critical role in communicating Yellowstone. 2 p.m., Memorial Union Asian/Pacific American Room. 

Bridging the Divide: Nature, Science, and Politics on the Korean Peninsula —
Dr. Lisa M. Brady is Professor of Environmental History and U.S. History at Boise State University. Her research focuses on war and environment. Her lecture will be the closing keynote address for the Biodiversity and the History of Scientific Environments day-long workshop. 4 p.m. Memorial Union, Journey Room 105.  Lightly catered.

Film Screening — “Dominion” is a feature-length documentary. By exploring six primary facets of our interaction with animals – companion animals, wildlife, scientific research, entertainment, clothing and food – the film will question the morality and validity of our dominion over the animal kingdom.Through the use of drones, hidden & handheld cameras, the film exposes the dark underbelly of modern animal agriculture. 6 p.m., Milam 318.

The Critical Questions Lecture Series — “After Shock: From Punk to Pornetration to ‘Let’s be Facebook Friendz!!'”, a talk by Professor Dick Hebdige. Hebdige is a cultural critic who has published widely on contemporary social movements, art, design and media, popular music and the politics of insubordination. His publications include three books: “Subculture: The Meaning of Style,” “Cut ‘n’ mix: Culture, Identity and Caribbean Music” and “Hiding in the Light: On Images and Things.” He will read at the Learning Innovation Center, Room 210 at 6 p.m.

LBJ, The Great Society, and the 1960s — A Conversation with Presidential Historian and ABC Analyst Mark K. Updegrove. Updegrove is the president and CEO of the LBJ Foundation and serves as Presidential Historian for ABC News. He is the author of four books on the presidency, and has written for The New York Times, The Hill, Politico, The Daily Beast, Time, Parade, and National Geographic, and has conducted exclusive interviews with five U.S. presidents. 7 p.m., The LaSells Stewart Center. 

Thursday, Nov. 1

Friday, Nov. 2

Music à la Carte — Featuring Ann Kosanovic Brown (bassoon), Carol Robe (clarinet) and Alex Lancaster (piano). 12 p.m., Memorial Union Lounge.

NCA@OSU — Speech Communication’s second colloquium of the year takes place from 4 – 5 p.m. in STAG113. This panel will preview three different talks that speech communication scholars (Drs. Shannon Cruz, Colin Hesse, and Gregg Walker) will be delivering at the National Communication Association conference in Salt Lake City the following week. Topics will range from risk perception and fish consumption from contaminated watersheds, to the effects of pornography on close relationships, and the relationship between climate policy and climate practice across human dimensions of culture, communication, conflict, and collaboration. Open to the public. Light snacks and refreshments will be served. Questions can be directed to Chelsea Graham at Chelsea.graham@oregonstate.edu.

The Surprising, Secret Lives Of Beavers And Why They Matter — Learn about one of the world’s most influential species from award-winning environmental writer Ben Goldfarb, author of “Eager: The Surprising, Secret Lives of Beavers and Why They Matter.” In this talk, Goldfarb reveals the beaver’s profound role in shaping America’s past and the critical role they must play in our future. Come discover how beavers can help fight drought, flooding, wildfire, bio-diversity extinction, and the ravages of climate change. For more information, contact Tim Jensen at tim.jensen@oregonstate.edu or call 541-737-1344. The talk will take place at 7 p.m., CH2M Hill Alumni Center, Willamette Room. 

Sunday, Nov. 4

Steinway Piano Concert Series — Corvallis-OSU Piano International presents Lukás Vondráceck at 4 p.m. in the LaSells Stewart Center. For tickets and information, go to: http://www.corvallispiano.org .

Upcoming Events

First Meal: A Talk by Artist and Professor Julie Green — Green will discuss her new series of paintings that illustrate exonerees’ first meals on the outside, after release from prison. With “First Meal,” developed in collaboration with the Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law, Green hopes to spark conversations about the uses, abuses, and inequities of our criminal justice system. Monday, November 5, 4 p.m., The Center for the Humanities, Autzen House, 811 SW Jefferson Ave.

OSU International Film Festival — Join us in celebrating the Oregon State University International Film Festival, organized and hosted by the School of Language, Culture, and Society in partnership with the School of Writing, Literature, and Film. Founded in 2009, the annual festival showcases different perspectives in contemporary filmmaking from around the world. November 5-11, all screenings take place at 7 p.m., The Darkside Cinema, 215 SW 4th Street. 

News

The OSU Center for the Humanities is now accepting applications for 2019-2020 research fellowships. Information about awards, application forms, and instructions are available online. The deadline to submit proposals is Friday, November 9. Two drop-in info sessions will be held at the Autzen House. Come by with any questions on Tuesday, October 23, 2 – 4 p.m. or Tuesday, October 30, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Current Research, Publications and Creative Activity

Assistant Professor of English and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Elizabeth Sheehan published “Modernism à la Mode: Fiction and the Ends of Literature” (Cornell University Press), which argues that fashion describes the limits and possibilities for modernist aesthetic and political transformation, which continue to shape contemporary accounts of the uses of literature and literary criticism.

Anthropology Assistant Professor Emily Yates-Doerr published an article and photo essay about the US government’s role in Guatemalan migration in the open-access magazine, “Sapiens.”

Coordinator of Contemporary Music and Research Dana Reason performed the audio-visual work “Interiorities” with Tony Award nominated projectionist Sven Ortel and interactive computer-music technologist Bruce Pennycook on September 20 at the University of Texas at Austin.

Coordinator of Music Technology Jason Fick was an invited presenter at “The Promise and the Peril of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics” symposium held at OSU on October 23. Fick featured his interactive computer music compositions “Kerosene,” “Join” and “TransFantasies” at the symposium innovation fair.

Instructor of Music Ryan Biesack performed on October 18 at the Downward Dog Café in Corvallis with Jazz Trio BMW. In addition to Biesack on drums, the ensemble features Steve Willis on guitar and Ben Mutschler on tenor saxophone. The trio performed a wide range of original music by Biesack, Mutschler, Joe Lovanno, Ornette Coleman, Thelonius Monk and John Scofield.

Assistant Professor of Philosophy Stephanie Jenkins received a mention in the “Gazette Times” and “Center for Digital Education” highlighting OSU’s recent robotics conference.

On October 24, Kerry Skarbakka, assistant professor of photography, presented a workshop, “Professional Practices for Working Artists,” at the Corvallis Art Center through the Artist Accelerator Program.

On November 1, Instructor of Art John Whitten will have a First Thursday opening for his solo show “Stochastic Resonance” at the Charles Hartman Fine Art Gallery in Portland.

Recurring Events

Reverence — As part of OSU150’s anniversary celebration, The Little Gallery proudly presents “Reverence,” an exhibition showing a selection of works from Ka’ila Farrell-Smith, Natalie Ball and Rick Bartow. 210 Kidder Hall, runs through December 13.

The Fairbanks Gallery — Featuring the work of Natalie Krick, Nov. 5 – 28. The gallery is open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.