ASCL: 46th Annual Comparative Literature Conference, April 13-14

The annual Comparative Literature conference is being held on April 13 and 14. The topic is "The Comic Spirit in the Modern Age" and there are panel sessions and some larger talks. There is even a Classics panel on Roman Satire.

The conference is in the Anatol Center in the AS building. You can download a conference program here.

The history of the evolution of comic forms is variegated and complex. Yet, it is a history that continues to inform the various manifestations and applications of humor within contemporary social discourses. Whether it is delivered in the form of stand-up, on the screen, or in the genre of theater, prose or poetry, the conventions by which modern-day comedic practice is established are the result of the refinement, renegotiation and reconfiguration of traditions harking back to Classical, Renaissance, and even early 20th-century sensibilities.

CLASC Faculty Lecture Series: "On Comic Language" by Raymond Lacoste

The College of Liberal Arts Student Council (CLASC) is proud to announce the inaugural lecture in the new Faculty Lecture Series...

"On Comic Language: Or, How Can a Word Be Dirty?"

By Raymond Lacoste (Former Lecturer in Comparative World Literature)
 
Tuesday, March 1st, 2011
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Huntington Room (USU-205)
$3 Suggested Donation

Raymond Lacoste is a former lecturer in the Comparative World Literature Department (College of Liberal Arts) at California State University, Long Beach. He is most well known for his intriguing and uncensored lectures in CWL 320I, the Comic Spirit. Lacoste earned his Bachelor of Arts from CSULB and his Master's degree from the University of California, Irvine. He has previously taught CWL 132 Folklore & Mythology, CWL 124 Introduction to World Theatre, and his most popular course, CWL 324I the Comic Spirit. His recent lectures include discussing the Comic Spirit with the Students of Life Organization (SOLO) at CSULB.

CLASC's Faculty Lecture Series is an opportunity for students to experience the best lectures from some of the most intellectually stimulating and provocative professors from within the College of Liberal Arts while supporting future endeavors for the College Council. Money raised from the Lectures will be applied toward future programming for the College of Liberal Arts student body.

$3 suggested donation. Doors open at 4:15. For more information, please email programs@csulbclasc.org. Find this event on Facebook!

On Egypt's revolution: courtesy of Dr. Dahab

The following is courtesy of Comparative World Literature faculty member Dr. F. Elizabeth Dahab:

Luckily, there are moments of infinite beauty in a Revolution stemming from the People. Here is one (video) of those moments, led by a five-year old!



This young boy is chanting at least 15 slogans. At one point he stumbles and looks at the sign in his hand. Someone besides him humors him: "Are you cheating or what"?

Here are some of the slogans he chants (I [Dr. Dahab] translated them into English below):

-Hosni Mobarak, Suzanne Mobarak, Ahmed Shafik, Omar Soleiman : Null and Void
-Where are the journalists. Here are the Thousands
-Resistance until the regime steps down
-Take heart our country; freedom is being born
-The People demand the fall of the regime
-Step down step down Hosni Mobarak
-Revolution till victory
-We are all one hand; we are all together
-Egypt, here are your children; for you we have worried so
-Revolution on all the streets of Egypt
-Neither Shafik nor Soleiman [newly appointed prime Minister and vice-president];they are American collaborators
-Wake up, Mobarak. Today is your last day
-The people want to condemn the president
-The people demand the fall of the regime
-Until the regime falls down
-Mother Egypt, we are not tired: Liberty takes time