HWS News
5 June 2020 • Faculty • Humanities Men and Masculinities Symposium
In a plenary, but interactive and intimate, symposium, three visiting scholars from various disciplines that interrogate gender, race, sexuality, youth development and social norms presented their research at the HWS Critical Studies of Men and Masculinities Symposium: A Men's Studies Curricular Retreat Event. The event took place on Saturday, March 7, from 2-5 p.m. in the Geneva Room. All HWS students and faculty were invited to attend.
Organizer and Associate Professor of Men's Studies Rocco Chip Capraro asked speakers to discuss their views on significant scholarly, curricular and pedagogic developments in their field and the implications for contemporary curricula. After each speaker presented their research, a member of the Colleges faculty informally responded and then facilitated conversation among the panelists and audience members.
The scholars and HWS faculty responders included:
Pictured above are Associate Professor of Mens Studies Rocco Chip Capraro (left), the organizer of the symposium, and Assistant Professor of LGBT Studies Melissa Autumn White, Instructor of History Virgil Slade, and Professor of Sociology Jack Harris, who each served as HWS faculty responders.
- Assistant Professor of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Portland State University Miriam Abelson, who discussed trans masculinity, race and sexuality. In addition to these topics, Abelsons research interests include a focus on LGBT youth, rural and urban spaces, and intersectional approaches to race, sexuality and gender. Abelson has published widely on masculinities and violence, urban transportation, trans feminism, and intersectionality and gendered fear. HWS Assistant Professor of LGBT Studies Melissa Autumn White responded.
- Associate Professor of Sociology at University of Oregon C.J. Pascoe, who discussed language, gender, youth and homophobia. Pascoe has written extensively about masculinity, with a specific focus on homophobia, documenting shifts in cultural understandings of masculinity over the past several decades as well as pointing new directions for research on men and masculinity. Her forthcoming book builds on her previous research projects on LGBTQ youth, young peoples new media use, and bullying. HWS Instructor of History Virgil Slade responded.
- Finally, Alan D. Berkowitz, Ph.D., an independent consultant with expertise in culture change, behavioral health, and social justice discussed mens development. Berkowitz previously served as the Director of the Counseling Center and an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the Colleges, and co-founded Mens Studies at HWS. HWS Professor of Sociology Jack Harris P'02, P'06, who also co-founded Men's Studies, responded.
The symposium was sponsored by the Office of the Provost and a Katherine D. Elliott '66 Faculty Innovation Grant.
In the header photograph, Assistant Professor Miriam Abelson, Associate Professor C.J. Pascoe, and consultant Alan Berkowitz are pictured from left to right.