Pitt Welcomes Renowned Scholars and Artists for Fifth International Latin American Cultural Studies Conference

PITTSBURGH—The University of Pittsburgh's Department of Hispanic Languages and Literatures will host the Fifth International Latin American Cultural Studies Conference, titled "Narco-Epics Unbound: New Narrative Territories, Affective Aesthetics, and Ethical Paradox," April 4-5.

The conference participants will discuss the transnational narrative formations that have been focusing on violence and religiosity since the 1980s in Latin American literature, music, and film. The events will feature a number of internationally renowned scholars and artists.

The schedule for the Latin American Cultural Studies Conference follows. Unless otherwise noted, all events will be held in the Main Dining Room of the Pittsburgh Athletic Association, 4215 Fifth Ave., Oakland.

April 4,

9:30 a.m., Official Welcome and Keynote Address

Opening statements will be delivered by Pitt's N. John Cooper, Bettye J. and Ralph E. Bailey Dean of Arts and Sciences; Kathleen M. Dewalt, director of the Center for Latin American Studies; and Hermann Herlinghaus, conference coordinator and Pitt professor of Latin American literature. The keynote address, titled "Finding Placebo Text in the Age of Bio-Babble," will be given by Richard DeGrandpre of the University of Auckland in New Zealand.

11:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Film and/as Global Thinking

The session will be moderated by Pitt professor of Spanish and Latin American literature and cultural studies John Beverley. Presentations will be given by Catherine L. Benamou, a professor in the University of California at Irvine's Department of Film and Media Studies; Curtis Marez, a professor at the University of Southern California and editor of "American Quarterly"; and Rebecca E. Biron, a professor in Dartmouth College's Department of Spanish and Portuguese.

3-5:30 p.m., Images and Paradoxes of Intoxication

The session will be moderated by Pitt professor of Latin American literature Elizabeth Monasterios. Presentations will be given by Nancy D. Campbell, a professor in Rensselar Polytechnic Institute's Department of Science and Technology Studies; Elaine Carey, a professor in St. John's University's Department of History; and Pitt's Hermann Herlinghaus.

7-9 p.m., Film Screening: El Colombian Dream, 2005, directed by Felipe Aljure

Immediately following, there will be an open conversation with the director.

April 5,

10-11 a.m., Keynote Address

The lecture will be given by Mexican novelist Elmer Mendoza, winner of Spain's International Tusquets Prize for the Best Novel of 2007, "Balas de plata" (Silver Bullets, 2006).

11:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Heterogeneous Identities: Between Affliction and Defiance

The session will be moderated by Pitt professor and researcher Gonzalo Lamana. Presentations will be given by Cynthia Steele, a professor of comparative literature at the University of Washington; Elijah Wald, a freelance writer and musicologist; and Mark Cameron-Edberg, a professor in George Washington University's Department of Prevention and Health Services.

3-4:15 p.m., Violence, Gender, and the Political Substance of Life Itself-SessionA

Moderated by Pitt professor of Latin American literature Juan Duchesne-Winter. Presentations will be given by Felipe Aljure; Beatriz González-Stephan, a professor in Rice University's Department of Hispanic Languages; and Julián Olivares, a professor in the University of Houston's Department of Hispanic Studies.

4:30 p.m.-6 p.m., Violence, Gender, and the Political Substance of Life Itself-SessionB

Moderated Juan Duchesne-Winter. Presentations will be given by Juana Suárez, a professor in the University of Kentucky's Department of Hispanic Studies, and Luis Duno-Gottberg, director of Florida Atlantic University's Caribbean and Latin American Studies Program.

7:30-9:30 p.m., Film Screening: Images From Victor Gavira Film Trilogy: Rodrigo

D / La vendedora de rosas / Sumas y restas, all directed by Victor Gavira

Screening to be shown in Frick Fine Arts Building Auditorium, 650 Schenley Dr., Oakland. Immediately following, there will be an open conversation with the director.

The conference is sponsored by Pitt's School of Arts and Sciences Office of the Dean, Department of Hispanic Languages and Literatures, Department of English, the University Center for International Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Cultural Studies Program, and Film Studies Program. All events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Hermann Herlinghaus at 412-624-8673.

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