Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month With These Events
Posted: September 01, 2018 | Author: Kenzie Lundberg | Read Time: 3 minutes
As the nation celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month September 15 - October 15, Dr. Elizabeth Olson, assistant professor of anthropology, offers a special topics short course, HIST 2924/3924 that includes a series of special events, including lectures by Jose V. Borjon, Gustavo Arellano, Dr. Gene Anderson and Professor Ruth Gomberg-Munoz, as well as film screenings and class discussions.
Jose V. Borjon, Head Consul of Mexico in Salt Lake City, will speak Thursday, September 20 about the Hispanic population in Utah, their main needs and major issues they are confronting. Mr. Borjon is one of 1674 foreign representations in the United States, and one of 28 foreign representations in Salt Lake City.
“At SUU we have a history of collaboration with the Consulate of Mexico,” said Dr. Olson. “They partnered with SUU Rotaract and Rural Health Scholar students last spring when we put together a Feria de Salud (Community Health Fair) for the local Hispanic population in Cedar City. The Consulate of Mexico serves not only individuals and families of Mexican descent, but make many of their services available to Hispanic families regardless of nationality.”
Mr. Borjon will speak on the topic “Mexicans and Utahns: A Vibrant Partnership.” Dr. Olson hopes that his lecture will illustrate the many important roles and contributions of Hispanics in our state.
“His talk will also give us the opportunity to better understand the ways that Hispanics and Utahns will grow our partnership into the future,” said Dr. Olson. “We are honored to have this fruitful collaboration with the Mexican Consulate in Salt Lake City and look forward to Mr. Borjon’s visit.”
SUU’s A.P.E.X Event Series will host Gustavo Arellano, author of several books including Orange County: A Personal History and Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America. Arellano has worked for the Los Angeles Times, formerly he was editor of OC Weekly and penned the award-winning “¡Ask a Mexican!,” a nationally syndicated column. Gustavo is a lifelong resident of Orange County and is the proud son of two Mexican immigrants, one whom came to this country in the trunk of a Chevy.
Dr. Lynn Vartan, director of A.P.E.X Events, is proud to have Arellano share his story with the SUU campus and community.
“Celebrating our diversity and learning about aspects of culture are so important to the A.P.E.X. Events Series,” said Dr. Vartan. “Gustavo’s writings, travels, and renown in the international food scene is like having our own food network star here on campus!”
Students interested in taking HIST 2924 or HIST 3924 should email Professor Liz Olson. This course explores the diversity of Hispanic heritage through films, guest lectures, and special events. The focus is on their history, geography, culture, and contributions to American society.
Requirements for the course include the following lectures, films, and a final essay. All lectures and film screenings take place in P.E. Building Room 101 from 4:30-6 p.m., except for Gustavo Arellano’s lecture on September 13.
Hispanic Heritage Month Lectures:
- Gustavo Arellano, “Tacos USA - How Mexican Food Conquered America, Sept 13
- Jose. V. Borjon, “Hispanic Community of Utah and the USA”, September 20
- Dr. Gene Anderson, “Biodiversity and Cultural Diversity in the Hispanic World”, Oct 3
- Professor Ruth Gomberg-Munoz, “Badass Here and There: Deported but Not Defeated in Mexico City”, Wednesday, October 10
Hispanic Heritage Month Films:
- “Don’t Tell Anyone (No Le Digas a Nadie)” (73 minutes), September 18
- “Latino Americans” (90 minutes), September 26
- “Selena” (127 minutes), October 2
- “Forbidden: Undocumented and Queer in Rural America” (90 minutes), Oct 11
This article was published more than 3 years ago and might contain outdated information or broken links. As a result, its accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
Tags: College of Humanities and Social Sciences
