Guest Speaker Brian Becker Motivates UW20 Students to Activism

UW20 Students in Prof. Zachary Wolfe's "Progressive Movements: (Re)writing History" learn how ordinary people instigate social change.

Prof. Wolfe says: "About this time in my classes, people are thinking quite seriously about advocacy and the role of students and scholars in taking on some of the demands of our times. This usually results in tremendous frustration at the apathy of those around them and the government's apparent invulnerability to public demands. This past Monday, I invited Brian Becker (National Coordinator of the ANSWER Coalition and a life-long political organizer) to speak to my classes (See the "Rosa Parks" excerpt; view the full hour). He has particularly interesting things to say about the promise of the coming administration and the need for continued social activism given the properly understood roles of leaders versus the people, as well as some inspiration to frustrated organizers. I particularly like the bit about the women who were organizing with Rosa Parks being fewer in number than a UW20 section and more frustrated than any of us can reasonably be."

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Student Lecture Series Event Draws Big Crowd

UW20 alumn Eva Ceder's talk on conspiracy theory prompts much discussion.

GW sophomore Eva Ceder gave a lecture on conspiracy theories surrounding the People’s Temple Mass Suicide in Jonestown, Guayana (read the paper ; view the lecture). Titled “Jonestown: A Lens into the Phenomenon of Conspiracy Theory,” her talk examined the prevalence of conspiracy theories in American life, and explained the personal and social imperatives behind these passionately-held beliefs. Assistant Professor of American Studies Kip Kosek provided a scholarly response.

Each semester the University Writing Program sponsors several lectures delivered by former UW20 students. Student-lecturers speak on matters of significant and compelling public or academic interest. Student-lecturers are nominated by the First-Year Writing Program faculty and selected in a rigorous peer review process by an editorial collective composed of UWP faculty, librarians, and former student-lecturers. After selection, student-lecturers work closely with a member of the editorial collective to develop their work for a public audience. Student Lecture Series events are moderated by intellectuals from GW and the Washington DC area, who also provide a considered response to the lecture. Each event holds significant opportunities for audience participation.

Past events have included lectures on gay marriage, liberation theology and indigenous discourse, Asian American identity, the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and the social meanings of incarceration.

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