Held on the third Wednesday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. in the second floor multipurpose room (room 215) at the John C. Pace Library, the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities Scholarship Spotlight features two concise presentations: one from a faculty member and another from a graduate student from a different department. These presentations may include works-in-progress, conference papers, or overviews of larger projects tailored for a general multidisciplinary academic audience. Engaging Q&A discussions follow each presentation.

CASSH's inaugural Scholarship Spotlight event on Wednesday, September 18, will take a bite out of cannibalism, featuring Dr. Amy Mitchell-Cook from the Department of History and Philosophy, and graduate student Aliana Schwartz from the Department of Anthropology.

Dr. Amy Mitchell-Cook - Who’s Hungry?: Survival Cannibalism at Sea

From the 17th to the 19th century, several published narratives related that survivors of shipwrecks turned to cannibalism. However, rather than describe them as random acts of murder or savagery, these accounts went to great lengths to justify cannibalism. Instead of hiding their actions, survivors described the process of how cannibalism occurred and why certain individuals lived while others became necessary sustenance. This talk explores how this process unfolded and how narratives justified the act to those on land.

Aliana Schwartz - Biting into the Past: How Teeth Illuminate Maya Social Structures

Located along the Western border of Honduras, the ancient Maya city of Copan nurtured a highly complex, socially dynamic society that reached its height during the Late Classic Period (AD 600-AD 820). My research considers how Maya social structures impacted the health of Copan residents. By examining markers of developmental stress on their teeth, I seek to understand how individuals’ positions within society enable or prevent them from building resilience in response to disease, malnutrition, and other challenges.

The CASSH Scholarship Spotlight is an excellent opportunity to connect with colleagues across disciplines, share your work, and engage in enriching conversations. We encourage all faculty and graduate students to consider presenting and attending these events to celebrate the innovative research happening within our community. Join your colleagues. Join the conversation. No registration is required.