NDSU’s English department will co-host an Irish studies conference with Minnesota State University Moorhead on Oct. 6-8. Events will take place on both universities’ campuses.
The conference, titled “MWACIS: MidWest American Conference for Irish Studies: Ireland and Its Global Influence: Past, Present, Future,” will explore Ireland’s recent challenges and the country’s changing global connection, as well as a variety of historic and artistic topics.
Miriam Mara, NDSU associate professor of English and an organizer for the event, said the Midwest region maintains a strong presence in the American Conference for Irish Studies, which is the national organization for scholars of Irish literature, history, language and culture. She said because of this, the conference has attracted important scholars to the annual meeting.
Two of them include Francis Carroll, professor emeritus at the University of Manitoba, and Jose Lanters, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Carroll will present the Larry McBride Memorial Lecture, “‘Ireland Among the Nations of the Earth’ Ireland’s Foreign Relations from 1923 to 1948,” on Friday, Oct. 7, from 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Lanters will present the plenary session, “‘Terrible Queer Creatures': Revivalism, Modernism, and Irish Drama." on Saturday, Oct. 8, from 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Both events are scheduled at Minnesota State University Moorhead’s Comstock Memorial Union Ballroom C.
Mara said hosting the event at NDSU makes a statement. “This event showcases NDSU’s expertise in and investment in the humanities," she said.
Additionally, Mara said co-hosting the event with Minnesota State University Moorhead demonstrates local universities working together and fosters future partnerships. “As part of the tri-college, collaborations like this co-hosted conference build partnerships and display the wonderful potential of our university-rich area,” she said.
The Larry McBride Memorial lecture and plenary presentation are open to the public, but registration is required to attend the entire conference.
For more information on the conference, registration and schedule of events, visit www.ndsu.edu/english/conferences_and_events/mwacisconference/ or contact Mara at miriam.mara@ndsu.edu or 701-231-6506.