arts and humanities

International dream comes true for Blair composition major

Feb. 7, 2019—Vanderbilt sophomore Jacob Beranek loves music and his Czech heritage. These passions recently converged in an incredible opportunity for the talented music composition major.

Hinton, unlawfully imprisoned for 30 years, to speak at Vanderbilt Feb. 19

Feb. 5, 2019—Author and prison reform advocate Anthony Ray Hinton, who spent 30 years on death row in Alabama as an innocent man, will speak at Vanderbilt on Feb. 19.

Barbara Tsakirgis, an emerita professor of classical studies who held many programs at Nashville's Parthenon, died Jan. 16

Scholar who pioneered Vanderbilt’s curriculum in classical antiquity dies

Jan. 30, 2019—A memorial service at Benton Chapel is planned Feb. 23 for Barbara Tsakirgis, professor of classical studies, emerita, who recently died.

Wendland Cook Program in Religion and Justice launches at Vanderbilt Divinity School

Jan. 28, 2019—A new program that will examine economic and ecological justice through the lens of theological and religious reflection has been launched at Vanderbilt University Divinity School.

Mona Frederick, executive director of the Robert Penn Warren Center for the Humanities (Anne Rayner/Vanderbilt)

Robert Penn Warren Center’s executive director shares legacy of Stella Scott Vaughn with USAC

Jan. 21, 2019—During its January meeting, the University Staff Advisory Council welcomed Robert Penn Warren Center Executive Director Mona Frederick and learned about the fascinating ties between the center’s office space and Stella Scott Vaughn, an important figure in Vanderbilt University history.

‘Robert Penn Warren’ film director to attend documentary screening

Jan. 17, 2019—A documentary on Robert Penn Warren—a distinguished writer, critic and Vanderbilt alumnus—will be screened on campus Jan. 23, followed by a Q&A with Tom Thurman, the film director.

A cropped shot of a woman holding a loved one's hand in support

New analysis suggests lepers may not have been pariahs in Jesus’ time

Jan. 10, 2019—New insights into how disease and impurity were viewed in first-century Jewish society suggests scholars may need to reevaluate how they interpret Jesus' interaction with people affected by leprosy.

L-r: One of the young men who was inspired by Gilman Whiting at a Chicago school district symposium on addressing the achievement gap among black and Latino boys. Whiting gave the symposium's keynote address. (courtesy of Gilman Whiting)

Film seminar on campus over Winter Break to engage teenage boys of color

Dec. 19, 2018—Gilman Whiting, an associate professor of African American and Diaspora studies and director of the Scholar Identity Institute, will lead a Winter Break camp and film seminar for boys of color in sixth through ninth grades Jan. 2-4.

‘Art, Democracy and Justice’ series with Campos-Pons to launch

Nov. 10, 2018—Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons has created a new lecture series that aims to connect Vanderbilt to a growing dialogue around the world about relationships between art, democracy and justice.

View of Kirkland Hall and the Vanderbilt campus in Spring.

New arts and humanities micro-grants target timely projects

Nov. 7, 2018—A new micro-grant fund designed to help faculty pursue time-sensitive projects that will amplify and advance Vanderbilt's arts and humanities has begun accepting applications.

Josiah Pehrson and Rachel Platt are among the students in the dark comedy 'Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom'

VU Theatre offers dark comedy with zombie-hunting video game

Nov. 1, 2018—VU Theatre will perform "Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom," a dark comedy centering on teens who become addicted to an online horror video game, Nov. 2-10.

October issue of provost’s ‘Open Dore’ newsletter now available

Oct. 25, 2018—Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Susan R. Wente discusses advancing the arts and humanities at Vanderbilt in this month's newsletter.