Dr. Kelley Logan, Professor of English at SWOSU, will give a talk on The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin, the first book of the series, with a book discussion to follow.
The Al Harris Library and the Department of Language and Literature at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) announced today that it will host a series of discussions of science fiction books written by women: “Speculative Women, Future Bodies.” The first of these events will be held on January 25 at 7 p.m. in Al Harris Library’s 2nd-floor instructional room.
Dr. Kelley Logan will give a talk on The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin, with a book discussion to follow. These events are open to the public. Those who wish to borrow the Le Guin novel—and all books in the series—may sign them out at the SWOSU library front desk.
The program is made possible by a grant from Oklahoma Humanities with generous funding and support from Kirkpatrick Family Fund, McCasland Foundation, Oklahoma City Community Foundation, Union Pacific, and Oklahoma City University.
OK Humanities “Let’s Talk About It” Book Program: Speculative Women, Future Bodies
All talks will take place at 7 p.m. in the Al Harris Library’s 2nd floor instructional room.
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Jan. 25: The Left Hand of Darkness (1969) by Ursula K. LeGuin:
hosted by Kelley Logan, Professor of English at SWOSU;
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Feb. 8: The Female Man (1975) by Joanna Russ:
hosted by Sunu Kodumthara, Associate Professor of History at SWOSU;
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Feb. 22: The Parable of the Sower (1993) by Octavia Butler:
hosted by Tracy Floreani, Professor of English at Oklahoma City University;
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March 7: Binti (2015) by Nnedi Okorafor:
hosted by Becky Bruce, Associate Professor of History at SWOSU;
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March 28: Ms. Marvel, Vol.1: No Normal (2014) by G. Willow Wilson:
hosted by Marc DiPaolo, Associate Professor of English at SWOSU;
The selection of books in the discussion series include Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin, The Female Man by Joanna Russ, The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler, Binti by Nnedi Okorafor, and Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal by G. Willow Wilson. All books are available to be checked out at the Al Harris Library.
As this theme will demonstrate, science fiction can challenge many “universal truths” about modern society by being a vehicle for women writers and readers to re-imagine their place in society. This theme traces many such futures through pivotal works from the 70’s to more modern works that continue to confront our collective past.
“When I was growing up, I learned to love reading, science fiction, and strong women by reading Wonder Woman comic books,” said Marc DiPaolo, Associate Professor of English at SWOSU and co-founder of the new SWOSU chapter of Let’s Talk About It. “In general, science fiction by and about strong women taught me at an early age to embrace justice, compassion, imagination, and intelligence. The books we will be reading in this series had a similar effect on me when I read them as an adult. That is why I want to share these brilliant, powerful, and exciting novels and comics with my friends and neighbors in Weatherford. I hope those who participate in this series by reading the books and/or coming to the talks will get out of these books at least some of the joy and inspiration they have given me.”
For additional information about the series and the new LTAI chapter, contact Dr. Marc DiPaolo, Associate Professor of English at SWOSU: (580) 774-3094 or marc.dipaolo@swosu.edu.
For access to the books, visit the front desk of the SWOSU library and ask to sign out copies. You will be allowed to sign them all out at once to have them handy throughout the semester. For more information about the library and its services, please contact Frederic Murray, MLIS Instructional Services Librarian, Assistant Professor, and co-founder of the new SWOSU chapter of Let’s Talk About It at (580) 774-7113 or frederic.murray@swosu.edu.
About Oklahoma Humanities
Oklahoma Humanities (OH) is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen communities by helping Oklahomans learn about the human experience, understand new perspectives, and participate knowledgeably in civic life. As the state partner for the National Endowment for the Humanities, OH is a grant-making organization that provides a free educational magazine, Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibits, reading and discussion groups, and other cultural opportunities. OH engages people in their own communities, stimulating discussion and helping them explore the wider world of human experience.
Disclaimer: Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in these programs do not necessarily represent those of Oklahoma Humanities or SWOSU.