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.