Saturday, March 27, Adrian College co-hosted the first annual “Medieval and Renaissance Studies Consortium,” in conjunction with Alma College. The event is the result of last fall’s call for student papers on the subject. Students from the region sent two hundred word abstracts and were chosen to present their papers from about sixteen local schools. Students came from Kalamazoo College, Wayne State University, Alma College, Calvin College, Albion College and seniors Chelsea Easter and Amy Dygert of Adrian College also presented. The event was hosted in Valade hall, and was comprised of four sessions lasting from 9 a.m., followed by breaking for lunch and finishing at 4:30 pm. Many of the presentations concerned the works of Shakespeare, while others focused on literature, religion, and cultural and comparitive Studies.
“This event gives students a rare opportunity,” said Robin Bott, Associate Professor of English, co-director of the English Department, Director of the Institute of Study Abroad and overseer for the event.
Submitting abstracts and presenting papers is an experience that, in the past, was limited to post-graduates and professors. This event gave students the opportunity to experience the process much earlier than has ever been available.
Students such as Chelsea Easter, who presented “Rape of Property: Comparison of Rape in Medieval and American Slavery Texts,” illuminated issues in an enlightening way and demonstrated their academic prowess in the question and answer session that followed. Professors and students, among other scholars and professionals in their field attended the event and presented often deep and open-ended questions that tested each students knowledge in Medieval and Renaissance Studies contexts.
“Adrian College was honored this year as the first site for this event because of its central location in the region, “Bott said, “In the following years the hosting school will be rotated.”