Writing For Change Visiting Writers Series
Dr. Wendy Hesford
“Carceral Rhetorics: Race and the Politics of Recognition”
Wednesday, March 23rd, 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Dr. Jo Hsu
Title: TBD
Monday, April 11, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Dr. Kirk St. Amant
“Culture and Ecosystems of Care: A Framework for Understanding International Health and Medical Contexts”
Monday, April 25th, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
These are Virtual Events held via Zoom. For access information contact Dr. Sarah-Beth Hopton at hoptonsb@appstate.edu
The Rhetoric and Writing Studies Program in the Department of English is hosting the Writing for Change Speaker Series. This series features Drs. Wendy Hesford, Jo Hsu and Kirk St. Amant, who all work at the intersection of social justice, rhetoric, writing and technical communication. Their presentations address the importance of narrative forms and the ways in which these serve as powerful interventions that can help address problems of systemic oppression.
Dr. Wendy Hesford is a professor of English at Ohio State University and is an Ohio Eminent Scholar of Rhetoric, Composition and Literacy. She is the author of several books and the winner of the 2012 Rhetoric Society of America Book Award. Her presentation examines how the racial politics of recognition shape the humanitarian paradigm of human rights, arguing that the human rights of Black children have been negatively impacted. Hesford will be presenting as a part of the speaker series on Wednesday, March 23rd at 5:00 p.m.
Dr. Jo Hsu is an assistant professor of Rhetoric & Writing at the University of Texas At Austin. Hsu’s research focuses on how narratives surrounding race, gender and disabilities affect the opportunities and life chances of marginalized communities. Hsu’s writing has appeared in major disciplinary journals and their creative nonfiction has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. More information about their research can be found on Hsu’s website. Hsu will be presenting as a part of the speaker series on Monday, April 11th at 2:00 p.m.
Dr. Kirk St. Amant serves as professor, Eunice C. Williamson Chair in Technical Communication and director of the University’s Center for Health and Medical Communication at Louisiana Tech University. Amant’s presentation focuses on how the concepts of medical, health, and care reflect central factors that need to be addressed when sharing medical information with audiences of different cultural backgrounds. . This presentation will be held on Monday, April 25th at 3:30 p.m.
###
About the Department of English
The Department of English at Appalachian State University is committed to outstanding work in the classroom, the support and mentorship of students, and a dynamic engagement with culture, history, language, theory and literature. The department offers master’s degrees in English and rhetoric and composition, as well as undergraduate degrees in literary studies, film studies, creative writing, professional writing and English education. Learn more at https://english.appstate.edu.
Writing For Change Speaker Series graphic
Writing For Change Speakers (L to R) Dr. Wendy Hesford, Dr. Jo Hsu, Dr. Kirk St. Amant