Events

Ignorance is Strength

Rethinking Rights, Liberties, and Security

The Orwell Symposium

Doublethink Student Symposium

Resources

The 1984+20 Project

Researching 1984

 

 

 

 

 

 

The “Doublethink” project at C.O.D. is an effort to encourage study and discussion of George Orwell’s novel 1984, in addition to energizing wider discussion about language, the media and politics. Students, staff, faculty, administrators and community members are encouraged to get involved. Events that are part of the “Doublethink” project include:

The Orwell Symposium
As part of the National Council of Teachers of English nationwide mandate, entitled “1984+20,” the C.O.D. Orwell Symposium will encourage faculty across campus to include Orwell’s 1984 in their classes. The symposium will also feature a series of Teaching and Learning Center workshops. Additionally, C.O.D. will host prominent speakers Christopher Hitchens (Oct. 27) and Phillip Wegner (Nov. 18), each of whom will address Orwell’s relevance to our contemporary world. The symposium will culminate with a day of presentations and displays showcasing students’ creative and scholarly work (Dec. 1 to 2).

Rethinking Rights, Liberties, and Security
This series of events will bring nationally prominent speakers to C.O.D. on Oct. 20 to discuss such important issues as the Patriot Act, the Geneva Conventions and the role that the media play in shaping public opinion. Featured speakers will include Peter Hart (Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting), Steve Sawyer (Northwestern University’s Center for International Human Rights) and Edward Yohnka (Illinois American Civil Liberties Union).

“Ignorance is Strength”
Shaping Realities and Politics in the Middle East
The Middle East Committee presents two days of discussion, presentations, film and poster board activities dedicated to critically exploring the use of images and text by media outlets and political agencies in constructing realities and politics in the Middle East. With an emphasis on conditions in Iraq and Afghanistan, the focus of the events is to highlight how images and language shape the ways in which American perceptions of realities and policies are constructed.

Doublethink Student Symposium
Student presentations of academic and creative work related to George Orwell’s 1984. Students share an essay or creative written work, an artistic visual or audio project, or a website they’ve created. Presentations are 5-15 minutes in length. A/V equipment is provided.

The Doublethink project is sponsored by the Office of Academic Affairs, the International Education office, and the Middle East Committee.

For information on how to get involved, please contact:
Jason Snart (630) 942–2033
Eva Maria Raepple (630) 942–3983
Scott Boyd (630) 942–2064