Let’s Talk About It: Muslim Journeys at Booth Library this Spring Semester

Booth Library will present Let’s Talk About It: Muslim Journeys, a reading and discussion series, during the spring semester. Booth Library is one of 125 libraries and state humanities councils across the country selected to participate in the project, which seeks to familiarize public audiences in the United States with the people, places, history, faith and cultures of Muslims in the United States and around the world.

Professor Brian Mann of the History Department will be involved with many of the events which include but are not limited to a five part scholar-led book discussion series, film screenings and discussions, a research panel with History undergraduate and graduate students, an interfaith panel, and a panel discussion on veiling.

Those who are interested in participating in the book discussion series are encouraged to register by emailing Kirstin Duffin, project director, at kduffin@eiu.edu or click here to visit the library webpage. Patrons may participate in one or more of the book discussions. A limited number of complimentary books will be available to participants. Those who register will be given priority to receive a free copy of the book(s) to be discussed, along with other program materials. A full schedule of events can be found here.

Let’s Talk About It: Muslim Journeys, a reading and discussion series, has been made possible through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities in cooperation with the American Library Association.

Exploring Ancient Rome and Persia

Lee E. Patterson participated in the conference “The Sasanian Empire and Rome,” the title for the first day of a larger event called “Persia & Rum,” covering topics from ancient (day one) and medieval and modern Iran (day two) on 14-15 November 2013 in Rome, Italy.  This conference was held at the British School at Rome and sponsored by the British Institute of Persian Studies.  Dr. Patterson’s paper, “The Role of Religion in Romano-Sasanian Relations,” explored the way in which Zoroastrianism and Christianity influenced how Roman emperors and Sasanian Great Kings related to each other diplomatically and militarily.  Eastern Illinois University was the only American institution represented at the conference on ancient Iran.  The conference organizers hope to publish a volume based on the papers presented, and Dr. Patterson has been invited to contribute.  While in Rome, Patterson also made sure to visit what sites he could and take pictures for his ancient Roman history collection.

Lee E. Patterson in front of the Pantheon

Memories of the Charleston Riot Featured in Exhibit

Students at Eastern Illinois University have worked during the fall semester to produce an exhibit that focuses on memories of the Charleston Riot. Amy Wywialowski, history major and journalism minor, completed requirements for an independent study with this project. She worked with other students enrolled in HIS 4930: Public History: Meaning & Method who had the responsibility of research on the ways individuals associated with the event remembered (and forgot) the event over time, how veterans remembered the event, and how others not involved made it part of Charleston economic development. These students included Alex Gillespie and Michael Ludwinski, both graduate students in the history department, and Alex Scalise, an undergraduate student majoring in history with teacher certification and minoring in anthropology.

Credit: Amy Wywialowski

The Coles County Historical Society sponsored the exhibit which will open Dec. 4, Wednesday, 4:00-5:15 pm. Stay tuned for an announcement about where the general public can see this exhibit between early December and the public events planned for the 150^th riot anniversary event (March 27-29, 2014).