Modern Languages & Literature Department Events

Spring 2023 Events


Putting Farmers First: Growing Democracy in North Peru

With Dr. Stacy Taninchev (International Studies and Associate Dean) and Santiago Paz, Export Manager of Co-op Norandino Peru
April 24, 2023, 12-1pm, College Commons

 

As part of his studies for Universidad de Piura in Peru, Santiago Paz engaged with communities that were organizing village level farmers associations. Moved by the commitment and vision of those grassroots leaders, Santiago dedicated his career to supporting democratic farmer organizations. Hosted by the International Studies Department, co-sponsored by Modern Languages and Literature and the Center for Global Engagement. Coffee and chocolate pairings by Equal Exchange will be offered!


The Death of Camilla in Galeazzo di Tarsia’s Canzoniere

With Dr. Chris Picicci, Italian Program 
April 14, 2023, 12-1pm, Jepson 120 (Hogan classroom)

Join us for a discussion on Dr. Picicci's English translation of Galeazzo di Tarsia’s sonnets from his Canzoniere, a songbook in the Petrarchan tradition. The talk will consider sonnets which Tarsia wrote after the death of his wife, Camilla Carafa. Of specific interest, is the theme of pain, which reveals conspicuous parallels to Petrarch’s elegiac descriptions of the loss of his beloved Laura in his Rerum vulgarium fragmenta. Come and learn about the origin of the sonnet, how Petrarch used the poetic construction to praise and remember his beloved and how Tarsia’s lyric poetry appropriated and adapted Petrarchan elements into sixteenth-century verse.


Kwentuhan at Kultura Series 4: Kundiman, Pag-Ibig, at Ligawan (Love Song, Love and Courtship)

With Dr. Maico Aperocho, Fulbright Visiting Professor and Scholar/Filipino
Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 2:10pm, Center for Global Engagement (2nd floor Hemmingson)

This event will highlight experiences of love and courtship in the Filipino context and kundiman (love song) as an important element of any Filipino courtship practice. Mr. Dan Ubaldo will be the special guest speaker.


*Documentary: Xueta Island

With Dr. Rebecca Marquis
Saturday, February 4th at 7:00 pm, Hemmingson Auditorium

The documentary explores the fascinating legacy of the Xuetas, a unique group of families on the Balearic island of Majorca who are believed to be descendants of the island’s Inquisition-era Jewish population. Though they were practicing Catholics, the Chuetas were discriminated against up until the middle of the 20th century, always forced to marry within their subgroup population. It is estimated that there are roughly 20,000 Chuetas living on the island today. Current-day Majorca presents a compelling case study for silenced Judaism, as practicing Catholic families cite Jewish “traditions” that date back centuries, without ever being openly acknowledged or explained. Dr. Marquis will give an introduction about Jewish life in medieval Spain and the concept of Crypto-Judaism. In English, Catalan, and Spanish.

This film is made possible by the Spokane Jewish Cultural Film Festival and is co-sponsored by Modern Languages and Literature and the Jewish Bulldogs. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Marquis at marquis@gonzaga.edu.


*Film: Where Life Begins

With Drs. Semple, Zammarchi, and Marquis
Monday, February 6th at 7:00 pm, Jundt Auditorium

An ultra-Orthodox Jewish family from Aix-les-Bains, France, comes to a farm in Calabria, Italy, for a brief stay every year to carry out a sacred mission: harvesting citrons. Here Elio, the farm owner, meets Esther, the rabbi’s daughter. Through this relationship, Esther will understand the importance of freedom and find her path, and, in the same way, Elio will find the peace he had lost. Drs. Semple, Zammarchi, and Marquis will give an introduction highlighting the coming together of different languages, nationalities, and cultures in this film. In French and Italian, takes place in Italy.

This film is made possible by the Spokane Jewish Cultural Film Festival and is co-sponsored by Modern Languages and Literature and the Jewish Bulldogs. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Marquis at marquis@gonzaga.edu.


*Intercultural Engagement Series events are designed to create a space for dialogue among students across our various language programs around a common theme. The dialogue allows the opportunity for students to develop the ability to demonstrate an insightful and complex understanding of the target language culture(s). See the Gonzaga Bulletin profile on this event by Georgia Cosola.

Events - Fall 2022 


Book Celebration: Enchanted Dulcinea

Featuring Dr. Rebecca Marquis
September 22, 4:00-5:15 pm,College Common Courtyard (Humanities Building)

All university presentation in English, all are welcome.


*Mental Health and Language Matters: The Case of Philippine Microstructure

With Dr. Maico Demi Aperocho, 2022-2023 Fulbright FLTA - Filipino
September 29, 4:10 pm, Center for Global Engagement, 2nd floor

When it comes to mental health issues, anyone can become vulnerable. This talk will focus on the depressive language used by Filipinos living in the microstructure, the stigmatized, voiceless, powerless, unsafe, and misunderstood; by delving into their language use, language experiences, and ideological representations.

All-university presentation in English, all are welcome. 


*Life Along the Mekong River

With Jade Fletcher, English Language Center instructor
October 26, 4:10, Center for Global Engagement, 2nd floor

All are welcome to join us as an Evacuated Peace Corps volunteer shares her experience navigating linguistic and cultural barriers during her time serving in rural Cambodia.


Open House: Major/Minor, Study Abroad, Language Requirement

November 1, 5:30pm, CG 028

Study abroad, spring classes, language major or minor, advising, and more! Meet the professors of the department and asked about future classes in Chinese, Filipino, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish, completing the major/minor, and how to fulfill requirements during study abroad.


*Honor and Change - Saudi Culture: An expat's reflections on a new era in an ancient land

With Kenny Strickland, English Language Center instructor
November 2, 4:10, Center for Global Engagement, 2nd floor

2016 marked the end of authority of the “religious police” and the beginning of the Crown Prince’s 2030 Vision. In the years since, Saudi Arabia, a land steeped in tradition, has been swept up in a fast-moving current of cultural change.

All-university presentation in English, all are welcome.


*Japanese Calligraphy

With Harumi Norasakkunkit, Japanese instructor
November 16, 4:30, Center for Global Engagement, 2nd floor

Shodo (Japanese calligraphy) is an artistic way of writing the Chinese characters using brush and black ink. The writing has a set brush stroke order for the artists to create works of beauty. Shodo is also a form of meditation. You can clear the mind and let the brush flow freely.

All-university presentation in English, all are welcome.


*Intercultural Engagement Series events are designed to create a space for dialogue among students across our various language programs around a common theme. The dialogue allows the opportunity for students to develop the ability to demonstrate an insightful and complex understanding of the target language culture(s). See the Gonzaga Bulletin profile on this event by Georgia Cosola.

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Spokane, WA 99258