Imagining America

David Curtis, Belmont University

Location

Beaman A&B

Presentation Type

Presentation

Start Date

25-10-2010 10:00 AM

Description

While the “real” nation called the United States was founded at a particular time and place and occupies borders defined by international treaties, America is an older, broader, and in all likelihood more important conception to understand when thinking about our country and how we live in it. An approximate anagram for “a chimera,” America has often taken forms which share with that rough beast of Greek myth both an origin in the imaginary and a hybridity that some find grotesque or even monstrous. This kickoff lecture will examine several historical and contemporary attempts to invent our national identity out of “mere words” and explain how the Humanities can help us imagine, problematize, and ultimately understand America.

Comments

Convo: AL

Monteverde Plenary Address

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Oct 25th, 10:00 AM

Imagining America

Beaman A&B

While the “real” nation called the United States was founded at a particular time and place and occupies borders defined by international treaties, America is an older, broader, and in all likelihood more important conception to understand when thinking about our country and how we live in it. An approximate anagram for “a chimera,” America has often taken forms which share with that rough beast of Greek myth both an origin in the imaginary and a hybridity that some find grotesque or even monstrous. This kickoff lecture will examine several historical and contemporary attempts to invent our national identity out of “mere words” and explain how the Humanities can help us imagine, problematize, and ultimately understand America.