Southeastern Louisiana University’s Department of History and Political Science hosts lecture series throughout the year, celebrating seasons and timely topics through the lens of history and political science.
The department sponsors of co-sponsors a program nearly every month of the year, including a Constitution Day Lecture in September, “Then and Now” lectures during Fanfare in October, a Veterans Day Lecture in November, the Southeastern Louisiana Historical Association Winter Meeting in December, Black History Month in February, Women’s History Month in March, the Matheny Lectures in Science and Religion in April, the Southeast Louisiana Historical Association Spring Meeting in May, and the Deep Delta Civil War Symposium in June.
Last month, the department provided a trio of talks in recognition of Black History Month. Topics included “Obstruction: African American Golfers and Southern Resistance in the Twilight of Jim Crow” by Chad Duffaut, “African Philosophy: Past and Future” by Peter Gratton, and “Mary Seacole: Breaking all Boundaries in the Victorian Age” by Samantha Cavell.
This month the tradition has continued with a series of three lectures in honor of Women’s History Month. “We have a diverse and interesting list of presentations this year,” said Bill Robison, head of the Department of History and Political Science. “We encourage everyone to join us in celebrating Women’s History.”
This current lecture series kicked-off on March 13 with a discussion by Professor of Political Science Margaret Gonzalez-Perez on female genital mutilation and the recent US legislation banning it. On March 19, Heather Duncan, a history and political science graduate student, delivered a presentation titled “Patrons of Prophecy: Oracular Practitioners in Ancient Greece.”
Rounding out the series is the final lecture by Lauren Doughty, instructor of history and political science, titled “Royal Women: Sexual Politics and the Gendering of Royal Authority.” Scheduled for March 27 at 1 p.m., the lecture will take place in Pottle Auditorium.
“Often marginalized or ignored, the women of West Saxon royal court nevertheless played a valuable role in securing and expanding royal authority. Limited by geography, politics, and economics, Anglo-Saxon kings increasingly relied on women of the court to secure their ascension, legitimize their reign, and retain dynastic power,” Robison explained. “Dominated by fraternal succession struggles, the West Saxon court relied on women to both produce heirs and rule as regent if necessary. The increasing power of the nobility through the ninth and tenth centuries threatened royal security, thus making the role of queen a vital component of a successful reign.”
For additional information about Southeastern’s Women’s History Month or other department-sponsored lectures, contact Robison at 985.549.2413 or wrobison@southeastern.edu.
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