Organized by OSU’s Latino/a Studies Program, the Latino/a Studies Symposium on Latino/a Studies in the Midwest will take place April 16-17. Professor Luz Calvo of Comparative Studies explains that the Symposium “presents a tremendous opportunity for OSU students and faculty to hear some of the leading scholars in Latino/a Studies.” According to Professor Catriona Rueda Esquibel of Women’s Studies, the Symposium is a very important event because it demonstrates “what a vibrant field Latina/o Studies is in this region” at the same time that it “directs attention to the work of Latino scholars from throughout the Midwest.”

The two-day Symposium promises a formidable stage for discussion. According to Professor Rueda Esquibel, “the program features leaders in the field, like Frances Aparicio, Ruth Behar, and Suzanne Oboler, as well as more junior scholars who are up-and-coming…. The panels historicize Latina/o studies, study new cultural productions from Latina/o communities, and provide reports from directors of Latino/a Studies programs in the region.”

Professor Rueda Esquibel added that “in addition to demonstrating to the OSU community what a vibrant field Latina/o Studies is in this region, the four panels will contextualize the work we’re doing here in Latino/a Studies. We also hope to create a resource for Latino/Latina scholars in the Midwest to connect with one another’s work and to come together for future collaborations.” David Horn, Chair of the Department of Comparative Studies, emphasized support for the Symposium, which “presents exciting opportunities to work with neighboring institutions to build durable collaborations in Latino/a studies, and to bring into comparative perspective the particular experiences of Latino/as between the east and west coasts.”

The meeting is not limited to scholarly work but will feature a special cultural event. Ángeles Romero, Visiting Assistant Professor of Latino/a Studies, has organized the event to reach university and community members: “To complement the Symposium, we propose to create an evening of cultural performance highlighting some of the Latino cultural activities in the region and bringing into focus how artists, practitioners and educators communicate a diverse and complex set of perspectives, traditions, and new interpretations of their identity.”

For paper titles and complete scheduling information on the Symposium, please visit the program’s website:
http://comp-studies.ohio-state.edu/latinostudies/events.htm