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The Green-Taylor Lectures: A Black Life and Letters Speakers Series presents, Sara Zewde

Building 7, Long Lounge (7-429) 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, United States

Sara Zewde is founding principal of Studio Zewde, a design firm practicing landscape architecture, urbanism, and public art. Recent and ongoing projects of the firm include the Mander Recreation Center Campus (Philadelphia, PA), the Midtown Activation Project (Seattle, WA), and Graffiti Pier (Philadelphia, PA). Zewde previously held faculty appointments at Columbia University and at the University of Texas School of Architecture. She holds the Master in Landscape Architecture from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, a master in city planning from MIT, and a BA in sociology and statistics from Boston University. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor in Practice of Landscape Architecture at Harvard University. The Green-Taylor Lectures is a speaker series celebrating the intersections of Black Studies, Architecture and Design. Over the course of the year, the series will feature voices from across these fields in an effort to illuminate both the unique history of African American architects here at MIT—the Institute's first Black graduate, Robert R. Taylor, as well as two of the first Black women to attend MIT, Marie Turner and Gloria Green, all studied architecture during their time on campus—and contemporary work in the field that honors the role of worldmaking in the Black expressive tradition.

Ancient & Medieval Studies Colloquium presents, Megan Cook “Dirtbag Medievalism or, Medievalism Without the Middle Ages”

14E-304 160 MEMORIAL DR, CAMBRIDGE, MA, United States

Abstract: This paper asks how the concept of “the medieval” functions differently than other historical periods by focusing on “minor medievalisms”—those allusions to and invocations of the Middle Ages that are so fully integrated into everyday life and the accoutrements of commercial and popular culture that we can easily miss them. Medievalism everywhere when you start to look for it: advertising underwear and fast food, interwoven into reality television and prog rock, and offering a reliable visual vocabulary for goths and heavy metal fans. I argue that these often-overlooked cultural forms express a distinctive kind of attitude toward the Middle Ages, which I call dirtbag medievalism, in which historical accuracy is a much less important concern than aesthetic and emotional resonance. Superficial and self-referential, dirtbag medievalism provides a lens for rethinking how we as scholars, teachers, and fans understand and respond to the Middle Ages in popular culture today. Bio: Megan Cook teaches medieval literature and book history at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. She is the author of The Poet and the Antiquaries: Chaucerian Scholarship and the Rise of Literary History, 1532-1635 (Penn, 2019). With Elizaveta Strakhov, she is the co-editor of John Lydgate's Dance of Death and Related Works (Medieval Institute Publications, 2019) and, with R.D. […]

Event Series Lit Tea

Lit Tea

14N-417

When: Every Monday (except Holidays) during the semester Time: 4:15pm - 5:45pm Where: Room 14N-417 Come by for snacks, and tea with Literature Section friends, instructors, students, etc. What are you reading? What 21L classes are you taking or hoping to take? This event is specifically geared towards undergrads; but open to friends of the community that engage in the literary and humanities at MIT.

Biscuits & Tea Literature Pre-Reg Info Session

14N-417

Come for Biscuits & Tea! Literature's Pre-Reg Info Session is this upcoming Monday, December 2nd. find us in Room 14N-417 for free chai, biscoff biscuits, and Literature's Spring 2025 subject offerings! Biscuits & Tea Literature Pre-Reg Info Session Room 14N-417 • Free chai & biscuits • Undergrads: Come learn about Spring 2025 at Lit@MIT!

Event Series Lit Tea

Lit Tea

14N-417

When: Every Monday (except Holidays) during the semester Time: 4:15pm - 5:45pm Where: Room 14N-417 Come by for snacks, and tea with Literature Section friends, instructors, students, etc. What are you reading? What 21L classes are you taking or hoping to take? This event is specifically geared towards undergrads; but open to friends of the community that engage in the literary and humanities at MIT.

Event Series Lit Tea

Lit Tea

14N-417

When: Every Monday (except Holidays) during the semester Time: 4:15pm - 5:45pm Where: Room 14N-417 Come by for snacks, and tea with Literature Section friends, instructors, students, etc. What are you reading? What 21L classes are you taking or hoping to take? This event is specifically geared towards undergrads; but open to friends of the community that engage in the literary and humanities at MIT.

Event Series Pleasures of Poetry 2025

Pleasures of Poetry 2025

14E-304 160 MEMORIAL DR, CAMBRIDGE, MA, United States

Celebrating our 30th year running! Pleasures of Poetry meets this IAP 2025 in 14E-304 from 1-2 p.m. every weekday from January 6-24th, with the exception of MLK Jr. Day (Jan. 20). This popular activity – which aims to reach all those with an interest in poetry, regardless of experience level – has been offered every IAP for several decades. Each one-hour session is devoted to a poet or two, often a single poem, chosen by session leaders who volunteer to facilitate conversation for that day. Collaborative close reading is the aim and ideal of each hour. Some participants attend every session, but many others may drop in only once or twice during the series to discuss a favorite poet or poem, or to discover new favorites. The roster of poets is typically diverse — from classic Chinese poets to American poets laureate, and from such canonical figures as Shakespeare, Keats, Dickinson, and Bishop to contemporary poets including Louise Glück, Joy Harjo, Terrence Hayes, and many more. Free and open to the public; as well as staff, alumni, and students. Pleasures of Poetry 2025 poetry booklet   Jan 6 Peter Perdue, Tao Qian: "After Drinking Wine: I, IV, V" & "In Praise […]

Event Series Pleasures of Poetry 2025

Pleasures of Poetry 2025

14E-304 160 MEMORIAL DR, CAMBRIDGE, MA, United States

Celebrating our 30th year running! Pleasures of Poetry meets this IAP 2025 in 14E-304 from 1-2 p.m. every weekday from January 6-24th, with the exception of MLK Jr. Day (Jan. 20). This popular activity – which aims to reach all those with an interest in poetry, regardless of experience level – has been offered every IAP for several decades. Each one-hour session is devoted to a poet or two, often a single poem, chosen by session leaders who volunteer to facilitate conversation for that day. Collaborative close reading is the aim and ideal of each hour. Some participants attend every session, but many others may drop in only once or twice during the series to discuss a favorite poet or poem, or to discover new favorites. The roster of poets is typically diverse — from classic Chinese poets to American poets laureate, and from such canonical figures as Shakespeare, Keats, Dickinson, and Bishop to contemporary poets including Louise Glück, Joy Harjo, Terrence Hayes, and many more. Free and open to the public; as well as staff, alumni, and students. Pleasures of Poetry 2025 poetry booklet   Jan 6 Peter Perdue, Tao Qian: "After Drinking Wine: I, IV, V" & "In Praise […]

Event Series Pleasures of Poetry 2025

Pleasures of Poetry 2025

14E-304 160 MEMORIAL DR, CAMBRIDGE, MA, United States

Celebrating our 30th year running! Pleasures of Poetry meets this IAP 2025 in 14E-304 from 1-2 p.m. every weekday from January 6-24th, with the exception of MLK Jr. Day (Jan. 20). This popular activity – which aims to reach all those with an interest in poetry, regardless of experience level – has been offered every IAP for several decades. Each one-hour session is devoted to a poet or two, often a single poem, chosen by session leaders who volunteer to facilitate conversation for that day. Collaborative close reading is the aim and ideal of each hour. Some participants attend every session, but many others may drop in only once or twice during the series to discuss a favorite poet or poem, or to discover new favorites. The roster of poets is typically diverse — from classic Chinese poets to American poets laureate, and from such canonical figures as Shakespeare, Keats, Dickinson, and Bishop to contemporary poets including Louise Glück, Joy Harjo, Terrence Hayes, and many more. Free and open to the public; as well as staff, alumni, and students. Pleasures of Poetry 2025 poetry booklet   Jan 6 Peter Perdue, Tao Qian: "After Drinking Wine: I, IV, V" & "In Praise […]

Event Series Pleasures of Poetry 2025

Pleasures of Poetry 2025

14E-304 160 MEMORIAL DR, CAMBRIDGE, MA, United States

Celebrating our 30th year running! Pleasures of Poetry meets this IAP 2025 in 14E-304 from 1-2 p.m. every weekday from January 6-24th, with the exception of MLK Jr. Day (Jan. 20). This popular activity – which aims to reach all those with an interest in poetry, regardless of experience level – has been offered every IAP for several decades. Each one-hour session is devoted to a poet or two, often a single poem, chosen by session leaders who volunteer to facilitate conversation for that day. Collaborative close reading is the aim and ideal of each hour. Some participants attend every session, but many others may drop in only once or twice during the series to discuss a favorite poet or poem, or to discover new favorites. The roster of poets is typically diverse — from classic Chinese poets to American poets laureate, and from such canonical figures as Shakespeare, Keats, Dickinson, and Bishop to contemporary poets including Louise Glück, Joy Harjo, Terrence Hayes, and many more. Free and open to the public; as well as staff, alumni, and students. Pleasures of Poetry 2025 poetry booklet   Jan 6 Peter Perdue, Tao Qian: "After Drinking Wine: I, IV, V" & "In Praise […]

Event Series Pleasures of Poetry 2025

Pleasures of Poetry 2025

14E-304 160 MEMORIAL DR, CAMBRIDGE, MA, United States

Celebrating our 30th year running! Pleasures of Poetry meets this IAP 2025 in 14E-304 from 1-2 p.m. every weekday from January 6-24th, with the exception of MLK Jr. Day (Jan. 20). This popular activity – which aims to reach all those with an interest in poetry, regardless of experience level – has been offered every IAP for several decades. Each one-hour session is devoted to a poet or two, often a single poem, chosen by session leaders who volunteer to facilitate conversation for that day. Collaborative close reading is the aim and ideal of each hour. Some participants attend every session, but many others may drop in only once or twice during the series to discuss a favorite poet or poem, or to discover new favorites. The roster of poets is typically diverse — from classic Chinese poets to American poets laureate, and from such canonical figures as Shakespeare, Keats, Dickinson, and Bishop to contemporary poets including Louise Glück, Joy Harjo, Terrence Hayes, and many more. Free and open to the public; as well as staff, alumni, and students. Pleasures of Poetry 2025 poetry booklet   Jan 6 Peter Perdue, Tao Qian: "After Drinking Wine: I, IV, V" & "In Praise […]

Event Series Pleasures of Poetry 2025

Pleasures of Poetry 2025

14E-304 160 MEMORIAL DR, CAMBRIDGE, MA, United States

Celebrating our 30th year running! Pleasures of Poetry meets this IAP 2025 in 14E-304 from 1-2 p.m. every weekday from January 6-24th, with the exception of MLK Jr. Day (Jan. 20). This popular activity – which aims to reach all those with an interest in poetry, regardless of experience level – has been offered every IAP for several decades. Each one-hour session is devoted to a poet or two, often a single poem, chosen by session leaders who volunteer to facilitate conversation for that day. Collaborative close reading is the aim and ideal of each hour. Some participants attend every session, but many others may drop in only once or twice during the series to discuss a favorite poet or poem, or to discover new favorites. The roster of poets is typically diverse — from classic Chinese poets to American poets laureate, and from such canonical figures as Shakespeare, Keats, Dickinson, and Bishop to contemporary poets including Louise Glück, Joy Harjo, Terrence Hayes, and many more. Free and open to the public; as well as staff, alumni, and students. Pleasures of Poetry 2025 poetry booklet   Jan 6 Peter Perdue, Tao Qian: "After Drinking Wine: I, IV, V" & "In Praise […]

Literature Section
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
77 Massachusetts Avenue 14N-407
Cambridge, MA 02139
tel: (617) 253-3581