History chats draw modern-day crowds

The First Friday History Chats are designed for an undergraduate audience, but are also often attended by large groups of graduates, professors and other faculty. These events highlight the value of research and experiences with archival materials. This year, the history chats have been designated as “unplugged,” meaning they do not include any technology. Instead, the presenting professor is confined to notecards, a whiteboard and their own voice.

The April chat was hosted by Megan Bowen, Ph.D., a specialist in ancient Rome and adjunct professor in the Department of History and Philosophy. Bowen presented her dissertation research in a talk entitled “Entreating the Emperor from Exile: Prayer and Power Negotiation in Ovid's Tristia."

Ovid, an ancient Roman poet, was exiled to Tomis (modern-day Romania) in the first century C.E. for a “poem and a mistake.” He spent nine years in exile composing poems and letters to Emperor Augustus, begging him to either allow him to return to Rome or relocate to a gentler climate.

Bowen’s work explores how Ovid used prayer to manipulate power structures within a powerless situation, from bettering his public reputation to entreating the emperor to let him return to Rome. Bowen also commented on her research for the project, highlighting a “close reading of the texts” to pull out relevant information.

While the history chats often handle complex material, they are presented in an accessible and enjoyable way, as they feel more like a conversation than a lecture. The chats also provide an opportunity for students to interact with faculty in an informal setting. Rather than listening to their teachers lecture, students are able to meet with them in a comfortable way that helps erase the boundaries of authority found in the classroom.

Not only can students connect with faculty, but also with each other. From the undergraduate to graduate students, everyone has the opportunity to interact around their shared interests.

The First Friday History Chats use history to bring people together in the modern era. Everyone is welcome, and there’s always a friendly face to guide attendees through the talk. All you have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the historical ride