The colloquium is a free lecture series featuring
faculty research in the College of Liberal Arts.

Fall 2009 Schedule

The Doorstep Baby, The Babysitter and The Atheists: Case Studies of Life and Death

Dr. David Glassman
Professor of Anthropology & Dean of the College of Liberal Arts

Date: October 16, 2009
Time: 3:30 - 4:45pm
Place: LA 0101

ABSTRACT:  Forensic Anthropology is an applied field focused upon the scientific recovery and identification, including expert opinion on the manner and cause of death, of decomposed human remains discovered in medico-legal contexts.  Since 1980, I have been involved in over 300 cases of human identification as a consultant to law enforcement agencies at the international, federal, state and local levels.  My presentation will begin with a brief overview of the discipline and description of differing death scenes.  This will be followed by three case studies of the Roanoke Doorstep Baby Case (Virginia), the Galveston Babysitter Case (Texas), and the Case of the Missing Atheists (Texas).  The case studies will illustrate the differing dimensions of my forensic anthropological research.

Tragicomic Contraptions

Rob Millard-Mendez
Assistant Professor of Art

Date: November 20, 2009
Time: 3:30 - 4:45pm
Place: LA 0101

My sculptural work for the last 10 years has taken many forms, and many of the pieces are tragicomic in tone.  I have described my sculptures as art-toys.  Many of the sculptures are humorous statements about human interactions.  Many of them have interactive elements that the viewer can play with, thus physically becoming part of the art experience.  The fun, toy-like quality of my work is set in ironic counterbalance with a certain amount of dark humor. 

This lecture details with some of the formal and thematic influences on my recent work including (among others) mythology, history, and American Folk Art.  My recent sculptures deal on many levels with formal and thematic issues, this lecture will provide insights into my recent works.  I aim for it to (even in some small way), amuse and intrigue the viewer and make her/him see the world as slightly more tragic or laughable (or possibly both at the same time).

For additional information, contact:
Wes Durham
Email: wdurham
812-464-1739