Robert I. Strozier Faculty Lecture Series
2022-2023 Schedule
All lectures are held from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. in the Student Union, Ogeechee Theater on the Armstrong Campus
Politics and Pop Culture: Elden Ring, Identity, & Global Culture Wars
Chris Cartright, M.F.A
Writing & Linguistics
Friday, November 11, 2022
Noon – 1 p.m.
Elden Ring (2022) is a dark-fantasy role-playing video game that has enthralled and connected a new global fandom. It’s also become entangled in global culture wars about identity and representation. This lecture will introduce the game’s story and world, then explore how different fans use the game’s imagery and mechanics to express radically different ideas online. In particular, we’ll look at how players use the “dueling” and “invasion” mechanics to enact (and police) ideas about gender and honor. An analysis of popular media like Elden Ring reveals how global culture wars are fought in ostensibly apolitical spaces like gaming.
Mindfulness & Contemplative Pedagogy in the Higher Education Classroom
Dr. Katia Karadjova
Georgia Southern Libraries
Friday, February 10, 2023
Noon – 1 p.m.
The presentation will introduce the audience to mindfulness and contemplative pedagogy and the Brain Booth Initiative at GS Libraries as a representation of an innovative approach. While mindfulness has been around for thousands of years, within specific cultures, it has only recently been making its way into the higher education classroom of the western world. Mindfulness is a mental state of focused attention in the present moment without judgmental perspectives. Contemplative pedagogy offers educational methods that support the development of student attention, emotional balance, empathetic connection, compassion, and altruistic behavior, while also providing new pedagogical techniques that support creativity and the learning of course content.
Revealing the Voices and Mystery of Ossabaw Island
Ariel Cornett, Kathryn Haughney, Cynthia Massey, Delandrea Hall, Amanda Wall, Elizabeth DuBose and Kania Greer
Elementary and Special Education; Middle Grades and Secondary Education; Center for STEM Education; Ossabaw Island Foundation
Friday, March 03, 2023
Noon – 1 p.m.
How can an oyster reveal the told and untold stories of a place? As Georgia’s third largest barrier island, Ossabaw holds 5,000 years of coastal historical, cultural, and natural artifacts– like oyster shells– that reveal stories of tabby houses, shell middens, indigo, and yaupon tea. The island’s descendents left their mark on this heritage preserve, now designated for education, study, and research. This unspoiled island is 30 miles from Georgia Southern’s Armstrong campus. Our work explores how stakeholders can utilize unique local resources like Ossabaw Island to develop place-based learning opportunities for Georgia’s students, K-12 and higher education.
TBA
Dr. Nancy Remler & Dr. Jack Simmons
Middle Grades and Secondary Education; Philosophy
Friday, April 14, 2023
Noon – 1 p.m.
TBD
History
Professor Emeritus and alumni, Robert Strozier, Ph.D., passed away April 28, in Savannah. Strozier is being remembered as a mentor, poet, acclaimed speaker and extraordinary English professor on the Armstrong Campus.
Strozier graduated from Armstrong Junior College in 1949 with a degree in liberal studies. He returned to Armstrong after getting an Applied Baccalaureate, a Master of Arts and a Ph.D. in American literature from other institutions. He taught generations of students for over 40 years and also served as director of public relations.
In 2015, Strozier received the 2015 Eminent Alumni Award, and the annual faculty Robert I. Strozier Lecture Series is named in his honor. Strozier, who was active in civic leadership, was a founding member of the foundation that purchased the Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home and turned it into a significant literary center in downtown Savannah.
