Latest Posts

Latest Posts

Coming Back to the Classics

Coming Back to the Classics

, , , Research
Don’t know your Ares from your Aries?  Or Circe from Ceres?  And who did Aristotle teach, again?  No problem!  This month, we’ll look at resources here at IU East that address the Classics – Greek and Roman mythology, culture, society, politics and philosophy.  Once considered the foundation for any young person’s education, the Classical world continues to influence popular culture throughout the Western world to modern times.  Literature The Iliad and The Odyssey, two epic poems in blank verse, were first written down between 2500 and 3000 years ago, likely from the memory of bards who had been reciting them for years previous.  While both poems are historically considered the work of a single person known as Homer, his or … Continued
Independent but Intertwined

Independent but Intertwined

, Library Resources, Matt Dilworth
On July 4th, Americans celebrate our Independence Day, and the anniversary of our declaration of ‘no more rule by redcoats’.  At the time – a mere 245 years ago – the United States and Great Britain were bitter enemies.  But today, there is a ‘Special Relationship’ between the two, and both affirm the other as their most important foreign ally.  What would become the United States was hardly the only territory that chafed under the rule of the British Empire.  The peoples of Ireland, India, China, Apartheid South Africa, Aborigines in Australia, and more had grievences with the Crown.  Immediately after the Revolutionary War, average Americans viewed Great Britain as synonymous with everything bad in the world, and vice versa.  … Continued
International Connections

International Connections

, , Programs
With COVID-related restrictions, students were not able to participate in international study travel.  International and intercultural dialogue is an important skill to enrich any education, and students benefit from engaging in meaningful experiences with people of different backgrounds.  During the Pandemic, online options like those facilitated by ZOOM have been vital – and Global Circles is a new opportunity for IU East students to connect with peers abroad. The program is free and only a two week commitment, with half of the time spent live and half in asynchronous communication.  Dr. Julien Simon is the faculty advisor for the program, and can be contacted at jjsimon@iue.edu.  Topics are structured and related to student life and global issues (particularly the impact … Continued
A Pride Worthy Archives Update

A Pride Worthy Archives Update

, , , Programs
IU East LGBTQ+ Archive Just in time for Pride Month, we added several new items to the IU East LGBTQ+ Collection. Current Visiting Assistant Professor of Music, Dr. Nathan Froebe, recently premiered his new song cycle titled “In Paths Untrodden” on Facebook Live. This song cycle consists of ten poems by Walt Whitman and depicts the navigation of an LGBTQ+ relationship in the messy aftermath of romantic separation. Dr. Froebe composed this music over the last eight years, pulling from his own personal experience, and wrote the voice parts for two ungendered voices. The IU East Archives now has the performance, the performance program, the musical score, and Dr. Froebe’s interview on how and why he created this song cycle … Continued
Celebrating Pride and African American Music Appreciation Month

Celebrating Pride and African American Music Appreciation Month

, , , Research
June celebrations are myriad and interesting, with lots of opportunities for discovery and learning.  This month, we celebrate both African American Music Appreciation Month and LGBTQ Pride Month.  African American LGBTQ musicians have contributed some of the most recognizable songs in American history, as well as serving as examples of successful artists who in many cases lived their truths openly.  Here, we profile a handful of artists spanning over 100 years of recorded music. Gertrude “Ma” Rainey Ma Rainey was born in 1886 with the full name of Gertrude Melissa Nix Pridgett, likely in Columbus, Georgia.  Her potent version of the blues was confrontational and influential, and she worked with some of the most famous artists of her (and any … Continued