|
|
|
|
“The Unheard Voice of Law from an Often Heard Text: A New Rendition of Bartolomé de las Casas’ Brevísima Relación de la Destruición de las Indias.”
Speaker: David Orique, O.P., University of Oregon
Friday, 19 September 2008 at 3:30 pm in the Albertson Room (Doré Theater)
Of the many important historical figures of the sixteenth century, few draw as much praise and, in some circles, scorn as Bartolomé de las Casas (1484-1566), who was a formidable advocate of human rights for the Indigenous of the New World. Over the course of his eighty-two years of life, he was a youthful encomendero, a conscientious secular cleric, a Crown-appointed “Protector of the Indigenous,” a diligent Dominican friar, the controversial Bishop of Chiapa, and a seasoned member of the Emperor’s Privy Council. Trained in canon law, philosophy and theology, Las Casas consistently advocated for evangelization by peaceful methods, and questioned the legitimacy of Spain’s presence in the New World. Of his prolific writings, A Very Brief Account of the Destruction of the Indies is by far the best known document. Although this text has been widely read and interpreted since 1552, either as an emblematic work of Golden Age literature or as the source of the Black Legend, another interpretation of this text using a juridical perspective is revealing. David Orique will offer a fresh interpretation of the Brevísima by articulating Las Casas’ previously unheard voice of law that permeates this famous work, and that passionately cried out against the injustices of his time and still echoes with contemporary significance.
Refreshments will be served. Parking fees suspended in lots B & C.
For more information, please contact Mark Baker (email: mbaker2@csub.edu; tel: 661-654-6833)
Most Recent History Forum (Spring 2008)
"Murder at the Altar: A Historical Novel"
Speaker: Terry Phillips (KVPR radio)
Friday, 2 May 2008 at 3:30 pm in the Albertson Room (Doré Theater)
The history department is delighted to host Terry Phillips, long-time war correspondent for CBS, NBC, and NPR, who will talk about his recently published historical novel, Murder at the Altar. The story centers around the murder of the leader of the Armenian Church in America, Archbishop Ghevont Tourian, on December 24, 1933; this act of violence became a touchstone for intra-ethnic conflict amongst Armenians in America, but the story is also a poignant example of the tensions and contradictions created by the Cold War, some of which lingered long after the USSR's collapse. Phillips sees the case as a metaphor for all religious and ethnic conflicts in our world and the great difficulties we repeatedly encounter in trying to resolve them. After an informal talk, the author will welcome questions and comments from the audience. Autographed copies of his book will be available for sale after the forum.
About the author (from the publisher's website): "Journalist Terry Phillips is a veteran war correspondent. From the waning days of the Cold War to the start of the Gulf Conflict, he reported major stories for CBS, NPR and NBC/Mutual News. During the 1990s, he was based in Moscow and witnessed the collapsing Soviet Empire. He traveled throughout the now-former USSR, as well as to hot spots in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and beyond. Phillips was one of the first American reporters to live and work in Armenia following the 1988 earthquake, and to cover the armed conflict in Mountainous Karabagh. Among his other international datelines are Baghdad, Kabul, Mogadishu, Port-au-Prince, Prague and Sarajevo."
Refreshments will be served. Parking fees suspended in lots B & C.
For more information, please contact Mark Baker (email: mbaker2@csub.edu; tel: 661-654-6833)
What is the History Forum?
The History Forum started in 1999 and presents one speaker per academic quarter. Past topics have included the history of the Basque settlement in Bakersfield presented by Jeri Echeverria, Fresno State University provost and historian; the history of the California wine industry by historian Victor Geraci, oral history and the Chicano experience given by Mario Garcia, from the University of California, Santa Barbara; an analysis on pre-national, pre-modern Ukrainian culture and icons of the Last Judgment, John-Paul Himka, history professor at the University of Alberta (Canada). For a complete list, click here.
|
|
|
|
|
