The University of Winnipeg is gearing up for its seventh annual New Directions in Classics series.
Our series is designed to be of interest to everyone from the enthusiast of classical history to experts with deep knowledge of the field.
Dr. Peter J. Miller
This long-running series – led by Dr. Peter J. Miller, Chair of the Department of Classics, and Ruth Dickinson, a member of the Board of Regents – kicks off with a book launch for Return to the Palaestra: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Ancient Greek Combat Sports on Friday, September 22.
What sets this series apart is its remarkable ability to bridge the gap between the world of ancient history and the modern, everyday lives of students, faculty, staff, and the general public.
“Our series is designed to be of interest to everyone from the enthusiast of classical history to experts with deep knowledge of the field,” said Dr. Miller. “We have talks this year on Brazilian jiu-jitsu, ancient and modern migration, gender and sexuality, and the lives of women in antiquity and beyond. Our series mirrors a strength of a liberal arts university like UWinnipeg, where students can study the breadth of the human experience and easily move between fields and subfields.”
“We have many attendees from all areas of study, as well as for general interest,” Dickinson added. “Everyone walks away with new ideas and understandings on the topic.”
This year’s series adds an extra layer of excitement by incorporating book launches into the lineup.
“Our first, second, and fifth talks are celebrations of new popular and scholarly work in Classics,” said Dr. Miller. “It’s amazing to have the chance to hear about the newest and most innovative work in ancient history and see the fruits of that labour at the same time.”
The continual success of the series is a testament to the enduring allure of history and its ability to enrich lives in the present.
“I am thrilled we are in our seventh year,” said Dickinson. “The series has stood the test of time, offering a diverse range of topics that have inspired more learning and research on campus, locally, and internationally. We are very proud of this year’s lecture lineup and hope everyone considers attending.”
Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of an intellectual journey into the past and the future with this innovative lecture series. Whether you’re a seasoned scholar or simply curious about history, check out the events below and mark your calendar today.
Book Launch – Return to the Palaestra: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Ancient Greek Combat Sports
David Larmour (Texas Tech University) and Joshua Kulseth (Clemson University)
September 22, 2023 | 4:00-5:00 p.m., Room 3D01
Book Launch – The Crisis of Masculinity in the Age of Augustus
Melanie Racette-Campbell (University of Winnipeg)
November 3, 2023 | 4:00-5:00 p.m., Room 3D01
Lecture – Lessons from the Past: Migration, Culture, and the Search for Order in Archaeology
Megan Daniels (University of British Columbia)
December 1, 2023 | 4:00-5:00 p.m., Room 3D01
Part of the Laird Lecture Series
Lecture – Beyond Dido: Women’s Lives in Roman-era North Africa
Lea Stirling (University of Manitoba)
January 26, 2024 | 4:30-5:30 p.m., Room 3D01
Book Launch – Phryne: A Life in Fragments
Melissa Funke (University of Winnipeg)
February 9, 2024 | 4:00-5:00 p.m., Room 3D01
Lecture – Rewriting the Ancient World in Renaissance and Contemporary Poetry
Annick MacAskill (St. Mary’s University)
March 22, 2024 | 4:00-5:00 p.m., Room 3D01
Co-sponsored by the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
Learn more about this year’s series on the New Directions webpage.
