Arts & Humanities Discussion Series: faculty dialogue, people and borders

Monday, October 19, 2026 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM EDT
Merten Hall, 1202, Zoom is also available

Please join the planning committee for the future Institute of Humanities and the Arts as we host a faculty panel on the theme "People and Borders."

For our first hour together, Rashmi Sadana (Sociology & Anthropology, CHSS) will moderate a conversation with Sophia Balakian (SIS, CHSS), Chawky Frenn (Painting, CVPA), and Helon Habila (English/Creative Writing, CHSS). All are engaged in scholarly or creative projects that center on the theme of people and borders. Let's see what emerges when we bring previously unconnected faculty from the arts and humanities into conversation with each other around shared thematic interests!

The second half of the event will be devoted to audience Q&A for our panelists and a group discussion of what sort of space a new Institute for Humanities and the Arts could and should be on our campus. Please bring your questions and perspectives to inform the development of a charter proposal for the new entity.

Faculty, students, staff are all warmly invited.

RSVP is required.

Lunch will be provided.

Advance reading from our speakers will be available, but is by no means required. It will be delivered with your confirmation.