Fall events at the Lepage Center

History in the public interest from the Lepage Center at Villanova University

We're delighted to announce our virtual events for fall 2020.

This year, The Lepage Center will seek to advance the public interest by asking questions about how history is written, taught and understood. We'll examine the theme of "Decolonizing History" with an event series that challenges how historical knowledge is produced and offers diverse and inclusive ways to study and interpret the past.

Please join us for:

Wednesday, Sept. 9

A Conversation with Dr. Manjeet Ramgotra

Part I of a month-long series on "Decolonizing the Curriculum"

Who is at the center of our curricula and who is at the margins? Join us for an open and honest conversation that examines how education and learning have historically played a role in prioritizing certain peoples and places over others. Dr. Manjeet Ramgotra is a Lecturer in Political Theory at SOAS University of London and advocates for the inclusion of more women and people of color in university curricula.

Wednesday, Sept. 16

"Decolonizing the Curriculum": A Roundtable Conversation

Part II of a month-long series on "Decolonizing the Curriculum"

Who is at the center of our curricula and who is at the margins? Join us for a roundtable webinar conversation, part two in our month-long series, that examines how education and learning have historically played a role in prioritizing certain peoples and places over others across a wide range of time periods, topics, and geographic areas.

Featuring:

Dr. Dan-el Padilla Peralta, Associate Professor of Classics at Princeton University;
Dr. Cutcha Risling Baldy, Department Chair of Native American Studies at Humboldt State University; and
Dr. Maghan Keita, Professor of History and Global Interdisciplinary Studies at Villanova University.

Moderated by Dr. Elizabeth Kolsky, Faculty Director of the Lepage Center for History in the Public Interest.

Wednesday, Sept. 23

A Conversation with Dr. Maghan Keita

Part III of a month-long series on "Decolonizing the Curriculum"

Who is at the center of our curricula and who is at the margins? Join us for a lunchtime conversation with Villanova's Dr. Maghan Keita to recap September's previous two events and engage in an open dialogue with students, faculty, staff and community members. Dr. Keita is Professor of History and Global Interdisciplinary Studies at Villanova University.

More Events

In October and November, the Lepage Center will continue the theme of "Decolonizing History" with events focused on "Decolonizing Land" and "Decolonizing the Church."

Please check our website in the weeks ahead for information about program dates and speakers.

Essay Competition for Teachers & Students

How do you think the study of history can help us impact society today?

The Lepage Center is once again encouraging high school students and teachers to participate in our annual essay competition.

Each year the Lepage Center invites local high school students to write a 500-word essay that answers the question of how the study of history can help us impact society today. The essay helps students see the value of history, as well as helps students apply what they learn in class or in their textbooks to today's events.

2019-2020 winners

Winner: Leah Boris

School: Strath Haven High School

Teacher: Richard Foulk

Essay title: "We Need Rainbows in Textbooks"

The 2020 winner of the Lepage Center essay competition was Leah Boris of Strath Haven High School. Ms. Boris's winning essay, "We Need Rainbows in Textbooks," noted how many past LGBTQ+ leaders are not mentioned in contemporary history textbooks. Citing specific examples through the use of footnotes, Ms. Boris argued that inclusion of such figures within a broader historical narrative paints a more complete picture of the American story.

Honorable Mention: Brooklyn Coulter

School: The Tatnall School

Teacher: Ian Sikdar

Essay title: "How the Study of History Impacts Society Today"

The 2020 honorable mention for the Lepage Center essay competition was Brooklyn Coulter of The Tatnall School. Ms. Coulter's essay, "How the Study of History Impacts Society Today," cited slavery in the U.S. and the Civil Rights era as important to understanding race relations today. Citing the 13th-15th amendments as well as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Stokely Carmichael, Ms. Coulter argued that the history of race in America affects our everyday lives.

Want to participate in 2020-2021?

The Lepage Center invites local high school students to write a 500-word essay that answers the question below:

How do you think the study of history can help us impact society today?

Participating teachers will collect essays from their students and submit them to the Lepage Center. The best essays will receive an award.

Essays should be a maximum of 500 words. Internet sources are allowed, but be sure to identify where you got your information. Plagiarism is never permitted.

Submission deadline: February 1st of each year.

Submit to: lepage@villanova.edu

Want to participate? Email lepage@villanova.edu to learn more.

Send us your feedback

What do you like about this newsletter? What do you dislike? Send your feedback to lepage@villanova.edu. We appreciate every email.

Get more

We’d love to share other news with you. Check out the CLAS Newsroom, Villanova's news hub for the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, for what's going on around the College.

Subscribe to the Lepage Center

The Albert Lepage Center for History in the Public Interest

Villanova University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

800 E. Lancaster Ave.

Villanova, PA 19085