USI to host annual Interdisciplinary Colloquium on fear

The University of Southern Indiana College of Liberal Arts is proud to announce the 18th annual Interdisciplinary Colloquium, which will take place Tuesday, April 14 in University Center West, rooms 2217-2220. This event is open to the public at no charge.

This year’s theme, fear, invites participants to examine our complex ability to both overcome and embrace fear, for it is often in these vulnerable moments where we are the most afraid that we feel the most alive.  

“Every spring, I look forward to the Interdisciplinary Colloquium and to the inventive ways that participants explore our chosen theme. This year’s theme resonates not only across campus scholarship but through life itself,” says Dr. Alexandra Natoli, Assistant Professor of French and event organizer. “Fear is a universal emotion which all humans and animals experience. Although fear can be distressing, it can also be empowering, spurring us towards action. Facing our fears leads in turn to moments of growth and affirmation. I’m always thrilled to see a mixture of new and familiar faces at the Colloquium. It can be easy to feel siloed in academia; the colloquium reminds us of all we share as a campus community, creating bridges between the College of Liberal Arts and our students, friends and colleagues across campus."  

Proposals for papers, panels, artwork, posters, performances, workshops and more are welcome. To submit a proposal, please send an abstract of roughly 250 words with name, contact information and departmental affiliation to usi1lacolloquium@usi.edu by Friday, February 20.  

Topics may include:  

• Horror, pop culture and urban legends  
• Fear as a motivator and inhibitor  
• Trauma, anxieties and phobias  
• Fear of missing out (FOMO)  
• Political and social fears  
• Adrenaline, fight-or-flight and the science of fear  
• Technology and the future  
• Mortality  
• Stage fright/public speaking   
• Fear of the unknown 

For more information, visit USI.edu/idc. For questions, contact Natoli at anatoli@usi.edu or call 812-465-7027.