March 30, 2009

Legendary kings focus of symposium

TROY – Troy University’s Language and Literature Undergraduate Symposium will focus on legendary King Arthur and his role in popular culture and medieval literature, followed by a showing of “Beowulf, Prince of the Geats.”
 
The symposium begins at 3:30 p.m. in the Claudia Crosby Theatre April 1, while the showing of the movie begins at 6 p.m., also in Crosby Theatre.
 
During the afternoon, five undergraduate papers will be presented, according to Dr. Scott Nokes, a professor in the Department of English who is coordinating the events.
 
“The Magician: The Journey of Merlin from his Childhood in ‘The Lost Years of Merlin’ to his Mature Character in ‘The Once and Future King’” will be presented by Eric Anderson, a junior English major from Opelika.
 
“King Arthur for the Millennial Audience: Faith in Antonio Fuqua and Chretien de Troyes” will be presented by Erin Warde, a senior English major from Montgomery.
 
“Reversing the Polarity: Arthurian Science and Politics in Doctor Who” will be presented by Joel Norman, am English language arts education graduate student from Luverne.
 
“‘She Looked Down to Camelot’: The Lady of Shallot, Elaine of Ascolat, and Lorena McKennitt” will be presented by Jessica Williams, and “Tristan and Isolde: From the Nineteenth Century through the Twenty-First Century” will be presented by Rebecca Jordan, a junior English major from Montgomery.
 
The symposium is chaired by student Erin Murray, a sophomore English major from Ozark.
 
At 6 p.m., a brief introduction of “Beowulf, Prince of the Geats” will take place by the film’s producer and director Scott Wegener. The “no-budget” film is on a nationwide tour and shows for donations for the American Cancer Society. The suggested donation is $3 for students and $5 for non-students.
 
A question-and-answer session with Wegener will follow the film.