Learning from history is one effective way to avoid repeating it, and a group of scholars are doing their part to spread knowledge about massacres of the late 18th century.
Four scholars who comprise “The Massacre Project,” a collaboration dealing with historical massacres around the world, will present their research at the 2011 Honors Affiliate Symposium: “Massacres Worldwide, 1780-1820” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, in the Driscoll Alumni Center Schmakel Room.
The speakers will be:
• Dr. Philip Dwyer, associate professor of modern European history at the University of Newcastle, Australia;
• Dr. Barbara Alice Mann, UT assistant professor in the Honors College and an Ohio Bear Clan Seneca;
• Dr. Nigel Penn, professor in the Historical Studies Department at the University of Cape Town, South Africa; and
• Dr. Lyndall Ryan, honorary professor of history at the University of Newcastle, Australia.
The focus of their panel will be the British and U.S. treatment of Native Americans, the massacre of soldiers and civilians during the Napoleonic wars, and the British colonial impact on Australian Aborigines and the indigenous people of South Africa.
“The discussion is a great way for everyone to learn from the mistakes made by those before us,” said Dr. Tom Barden, dean of the UT Honors College. “The symposium is a combination of outstanding scholars, research and education.”
The symposium is sponsored by the UT Honors College, the Honors College Alumni Affiliate and the UT Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi.
Wade Lee, secretary of Phi Kappa Phi and associate professor of general libraries, said the topic is interdisciplinary and encourages people to participate in UT’s first year hosting “The Massacre Project.”
The event is free, but reservations are requested.
To RSVP and for more information, visit utoledoalumni.org or call 419.530.2586.
