Southeastern’s ‘Then and Now’ Lecture Series scheduled
Friday, October 8, 2021 9:14:38 AM CDT
by: Tonya Lowentritt
HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University’s “Then and Now” Fanfare History
and Politics Lecture Series officially kicks off Oct. 13. This year’s free lectures
are scheduled on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. in the Student Union Theatre. The lecture series
is sponsored by the Department of History and Political Science.
First up is a lecture by Southeastern Communication Professor Joe Burns. He will
present “The Deep Future of Your Music,” Oct. 13 at 1 p.m.
“The term ‘Deep Fake’ conjures ideas of falsified photos, altered video, and
fake news. However, it can also make a new Beatles song without the two remaining
members being involved,” said History and Political Science Department Head William
Robison. “It can be John Lennon singing a new song written and performed by a computer.
It is legal. Imagine a future where you never pick a song. The computer tracks you,
your mood, your vitals, and chooses or simply writes a song that is perfect every
time. Fiction? It is happening now. Come hear Joe Burns explain how.”
Christopher Horrell and Melanie Damour from Submerged Archeology Conservancy
International will present the second lecture. “Conquest: The Ships of Cortes Project
and the Search for a 500-Year-Old Scuttled Fleet” is scheduled Oct. 20.
“During Hernan Cortes’ 1519 expedition to explore and forge trade alliances in
Mexico, some of his men mutinied, and he ordered ten of his eleven ships sunk, sent
his flagship to Spain with news, marched inland and began his conquest of Tenochtitlan,”
Robison said. “In 2018 and 2019, the Lost Ships of Cortes Project conducted geophysical
surveys and diver investigations to identify the 500-year-old remains. Horrell and
Damour describe the first two years’ findings.”
On Oct. 27, Robison will present “Not Just Another Pretty Face Mask: A Halloween
Handful of Historical Maskers.” The More-or-Less Annual Halloween Lecture returns
with the usual mix of scholarship, silliness and surprises as the head HIPSter examines
the role of masks in history just in time to present a new appreciation of the facial
coverings people wear to costume parties, to trick-or-treat, or maybe even to protect
themselves from contagion.
“And remember that costumes, including masks, are not only welcome, but encouraged,”
Robison said.
Rounding out the series is a lecture by Alvon Brumfield of the Louisiana Renaissance
Festival on Nov. 3 titled “The Future of My History: A Fun Look at the Louisiana Renaissance
Festival.”
“The String of Sparks that Started the Show – magic from Lucky Charms, sleight
of hand after Bible study, the Tucson Gas Light theatre, the boss’s wife’s affinity
for interactive fantasy, the Arizona RenFest, and some serendipitous synchronization
of the situation,” Robison said. “Where do the sexy witches fit in? You can only solve
that mystery by coming to the lecture. Candy will be thrown as usual.”
For more details about the 2021 Then and Now Lecture Series, contact the Department
of History and Political Science at 985-549-2109.
