Gender-based violence topic for fall 2015 Lyceum Lecture Series

Contact: Mark Schwerin

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—The fall 2015 Lyceum Lecture Series will address the growing concern of gender-based violence and will feature a diverse group of WMU faculty and community experts.

Sponsored by the Lee Honors College, the series runs Sept. 16 to Dec. 9 as a companion piece to the college's Raise Your Voice speaker series. The Lyceum lectures will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays in the Lee Honors College lounge unless otherwise noted and are free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided.

The series carries the theme "Imagine a World Without Sexual and Gender-Based Violence!" Speakers will tackle a wide range of topics including gendered violence in college life, at work, in the family, on the street and in other institutions and how best to address and eliminate it.

Series schedule

The lectures are divided into five categories. The categories, dates, topics and speakers are:

Campus and workplace sexual dating violence

  • Sept. 16: "Origins of Gendered Violence in the Patriarchy," Dr. Joetta Carr, WMU professor of gender and women's studies.
  • Sept. 23: "Know Your Nine!" Wagatwe Wanjuki, survivor, activist, writer and founding co-organizer of Know Your IX campaign.
  • Sept. 30: "Contesting Sexual Harassment," Rashida H. Tlaib, former Michigan state legislator, 6th District.
  • Oct. 7: "Hearing Voices: Re/collecting a Femicide," Dr. Gail Griffin, professor emerita of English, Kalamazoo College, and author of "The Events of October: Murder-Suicide on a Small Campus.

Gendered violence in LGBTQ communities

  • Oct. 14: "The Dangers of InvisibiliT: Exploring Gendered Violence through the Transgender Experience," Jay Maddock, executive director, Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center.
  • Oct. 21: "Preventing Gay, Lesbian and Trans Suicides: Innovative Strategies," Dr. Kathy Lewis Ginebaugh, WMU associate professor of interdisciplinary health services, and Dr. Karen VanDeusen, WMU professor of social work.

Reproductive violence

  • Oct. 28: "Maternal and Child Health Outcomes of Intimate Partner Violence," Dr. Nicholas Andreadis, dean emeritus, Lee Honors College.
  • Nov. 4: "Abortion Clinic Violence and Control of Women's Bodies," Dr. Ashlyn Kuersten, WMU associate professor of gender and women's studies.

Agencies address gendered violence

  • Nov. 11: "Domestic Assault and Sexual Assault Programs in Kalamazoo," Grace Lubwama, director, Kalamazoo YWCA.
  • Nov. 18: "Imprisoned Realities: Battered Women's Identity Negotiation and Implications for Systems Change," Dr. Jessica Edel-Harrelson, executive director, SIREN/Eaton Shelter.

Transnational perspectives on gendered violence

  • Dec. 2: "Eradicating Gendered Violence in Burkina Faso and Kenya," Dr. Mariam Konate, WMU associate professor, gender and women's studies, and Fredah Mainah, Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
  • Dec. 9: "Invisible Victims: Violence Against Women and Children and the Syrian Refugee Crisis," Dr. Angela Moe, WMU professor of sociology.

For more information, visit wmich.edu/honors/fall-2015-lyceum-lecture-series.

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