Symposium to emphasize African-American Civil War experience

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MEDIA ADVISORY Top scholars, reenactments and historical tours present alternative views of the era…

Georgia (Mar 16, 2010) — MEDIA ADVISORY

Top scholars, reenactments and historical tours present alternative views of the era
 
KENNESAW, Ga. (March 15, 2010) —The Center for the Study of the Civil War Era at Kennesaw State University  will present an alternative view of the Civil War — from the perspective of African Americans — at its Seventh Annual Symposium on New Interpretations of the American Civil War March 19-21.  
 
What:
The symposium, “Alternative Southern Realities: African Americans and the American Civil War – Freedom, Memory and Identity,” is a precursor to the upcoming 150th anniversary of the Civil War that begins in 2011. It will emphasize slavery, the emancipation and African-American military participation in the war, areas many scholars say were downplayed during the centennial celebration in 1961. 
 
Free public events include:
·         A demonstration by a Charleston-based reenactment group depicting the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry Regiment, the subject of the movie “Glory.” 
·          An African-American heritage tour of Mableton, Marietta, and Acworth, and an Atlanta History Center exhibit tour.
Who:
A dozen top scholars from universities across the country including:
 
·         Keynote speaker John Vlach, professor of American Studies and anthropology at George Washington University, and author of three books on plantation culture, architecture, art and folklore 
·         Margaret Humphreys, Josiah Charles Trent professor in history at Duke University and author of “Intensely Human: The Health of the Black Soldier in the American Civil War”
When and Where:
Friday-Sunday, March 19-21
Conference begins at 9 a.m. Friday, March 19
 Burrus Building on the KSU campus
1000 Chastain Rd, Kennesaw, Ga., 30144
 
Battlefield demonstrations are 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.
 
View full conference schedule at http://www.kennesaw.edu/civilwarera/symposium-2010-program-booklet.pdf. 
 
To register, go to https://epay.kennesaw.edu/C20923_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=780
 
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This symposium is sponsored through a joint partnership with Kennesaw State University’s Center for the Study of the Civil War Era, National Park Service/Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, and the Georgia Humanities Council.
 
Kennesaw State University is the third-largest university in Georgia, offering more than 70 graduate and undergraduate degrees, including new doctorates in education and business. A member of the 35-unit University System of Georgia, Kennesaw State is a comprehensive, residential institution with a growing student population of more than 22,500 from 142 countries.
 


A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 35,000 students. With 13 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the third-largest university in the state. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 92 countries across the globe. A Carnegie-designated doctoral institution, it is one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.

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