English, as a discipline, is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary, moving between speech, writing, images, music, and physical or digital spaces, including multi-literacies and new literacies. Consequently, while focusing on cross-cultural, cross-linguistic, and community-based connections and interactions, the 2023 Vanier English Symposium will examine how literatures, cultures and the arts intersect and impact our understanding of the variety of texts studied in English.
The English Symposium that will run November 1, 2, and 3, will address the complexity of English texts and understanding in a variety of contexts. See the full detailed program.
Several talks will centre on issues addressing Indigenous history and concerns. Of notable interest are the following speakers:
- Dr. Baijaiyanta Mukhopadhyay, (Medicine, McGill University), will speak about his book A Country of Poxes, that describes land theft in North America through syphilis, smallpox, and tuberculosis.
- In her talk How does translation mediate our linguistically and culturally diverse world? translator Debbie Folaron will look at translation's relation to bilingualism and multilingualism; the influence of social-cultural-political and power dynamics; the role of translation technologies, and how translation is leveraged by peoples in Indigenous and Romani contexts.
- Kristy Snell, journalist, will explore how education and relationships are the key to positive change in how Indigenous stories are told.
English and history will be addressed in the following.
- Dr. Renee Karp, Vanier English Department, will discuss Fathers' Children, her first novel, inspired by her parents, her interest in history, and her belief that young people must understand the past in order to forge a better future.
- Peggy Hogan (music educator, researcher, recording artist) will explore the role of women in the history of hip hop.
- Danielle Altidor, Vanier French Department, will present "Invisibility" and Censorship: Black Representation in the Quebec School System, where she will speak about her personal, academic, and professional experiences with anti-Black racism in societal and educational environments.
- Taras Grescoe, writer and journalist, will discuss his book, The Lost Supper: Searching for the Future of Food in the Flavors of the Past.
Language education as well as performance, culture and art will be at the heart of several events.
- Julian Marco Peters, (artist, comics illustrator and Languages teacher), will discuss The Interdisciplinary Nature of Poetry: Comics, Arts, and Languages.
- Theatre presentation: "9 Lives, 8 Near-Misses: life lessons from near-death events", written and performed by Paul de Tourreil, directed by Sarit Klein.
- Norman Nawrocki, author, playwright, and musician, will explain how he has used the intersection of language, performance, theatre, music, and socially engaged creativity to replace traditional frames of reference.
- Lana F. Zeaiter, UQAM and McGill University, Faculty of Education, will explore Digital literacies and technologies in language education pedagogy for multilingual learners.
- COFFEE HOUSE (room B-325) will feature teachers, staff, and students reading or performing their own original literary works.
Most events take place in the Vanier Auditorium (A-103) and are open to the public.
