UCONN Forum: Adam and Eve and Gender Issues

“This new creature with the long hair is a good deal in the way. It is always hanging around and following me about,” the biblical Adam writes in his diary, with the help of Mark Twain.  In her diary, Eve writes: “I followed the other Experiment around, yesterday afternoon, at a distance, to see what it might be for, if I could.  But I was not able to make it out.”

Twain ponders the early lives of the traditional parents of humanity in his later works, Extracts from Adam’s Diary (1904) and Eve’s Diary (1906). On Tuesday, April 9, at 7:00 p.m., their roles and their connection to present-day gender issues will be discussed as part of the UCONN Forum at the Mark Twain House, 351 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut.

The UCONN Forum at the Mark Twain House is a panel discussion that examines current events through the lens of Mark Twain. Previous sessions have looked at issues of democracy, race and political corruption. Panelists are distinguished academics from the University of Connecticut College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The panel is chaired by Davita Silfen Glasberg, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

All of the panelists are from the University of Connecticut. They are:

Regina Barreca, Professor of English. Barreca combines the role of a serious scholar of women’s roles and humor, with skill at stand-up humor and insight. She is the author of humorous and insightful newspaper columns and books, along with her scholarly work.

Bandana Purkayastha, Professor of Sociology. Her current research interests focus on human rights/human security, migration and migrants, intersectionality, and violence. Her earlier research on ethnicity, racism, gender, violence and peace has been published in many countries.

Cathy Schlund-Vials, Professor of English and Asian/American Studies, Interim Director of the  Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies program. Her specialties are 20th-Century US literature, multi-ethnic literature, nationalism, trauma, human rights, memory studies, immigrant/refugee narratives, Asian American studies, American cultural studies, and comparative ethnic studies.

Dr. Sherry Zane, Assistant Professor in Residence, Associate Director of the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies program.  Zane is fulfilling a need to educate faculty and staff about the needs of transgender and gender non-conforming students in the classroom.

This event is free.  Register here.

Sponsored by Connecticut Humanities, a non-profit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, providing opportunities to explore the history, literature and the vibrant culture that make our state, cities and towns attractive places to live and work. Learn more by visiting cthumanities.org.