THE FIFTH ANNUAL CALS SPRING SYMPOSIUM American Literature as a Public Space March 30, 2015 THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY • UNIVERSITY PARK, PA • MEMORIAL LOUNGE, PASQUERILLA SPIRITUAL CENTER CALS seeks to encourage, and to provide a vital forum for, new ways of reading and thinking about American literature. Consistent with that emphasis, this symposium brings together five invited participants with Penn State students, faculty, and the public at large to celebrate the many innovative ways individuals, museums, centers, foundations, libraries, blog sites, and other spaces are engaging readers, drawing them together, and making American literature an important public space. Panelists on the first two sessions will deliver twenty-minute remarks suggesting how the sites that they are affiliated with relate to the symposium topic. The final session will be in roundtable format and features five presenters who will offer seven-minute statements on sites that encourage the reading of American literature beyond the walls of the university. The goal for this symposium is twofold: to celebrate ongoing efforts to situate American literature as an important part of civic life and to imagine other ways to position the reading, writing, and study of American literature in public spaces going forward. PA N E L O N E : 1 0 : 0 0 - 1 1 : 4 5 A . M . American Literature as Public Space Joseph Coulson, Author and President, The Great Books Foundation Maggie Dietz, Poet, Assistant Professor of English, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, and Director, The Favorite Poem Project Malcolm E. O’Hagan, Founder and President, The American Writers Museum PA N E L T W O : 1 : 3 0 - 3 : 0 0 P. M . The Public Spaces of American Literature Ellis Avery, Author, Assistant Professor of Poetry, Columbia University, and Contributing Editor, Public Books Paul Lai, Intermittent Librarian, Hennepin County and Ramsey County Libraries (MN), Adjunct Instructor, Information and Media Studies, Minneapolis Community & Technical College, and Co-Editor, Asian American Literature Fans Susan Russell, Associate Professor of Theatre, Pennsylvania State University Laureate, 2014-2015, and Founder, Cultural Conversations C L O S I N G R O U N D TA B L E : 3 : 0 0 - 4 : 0 0 P. M . American Literary Publics Elaine Meder-Wilgus, Owner, Webster’s Bookstore Cafe William Brockman, Humanities Librarian Julia Spicher Kasdorf, Professor of English and Women’s Studies Ebony Coletu, Assistant Professor of English Jonathan Eburne, Associate Professor of Comparative Literature and English FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Contact Sean Goudie (sxgoudie@psu.edu), symposium organizer and Director of the Center for American Literary Studies. This publication is available in alternative media on request. Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to minorities, women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and other protected groups. Penn State encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Tacee Sechler at 814-863-2179, tcs138@psu.edu in advance of your participation or visit. U.Ed. LBA 15-263 MPC132771 “Portable reading room” image by The Uni Project: theuniproject.org