Loyola University Maryland’s Center for the Humanities will host its annual Humanities Symposium on Thursday, March 17, at 6 p.m. in McGuire Hall and via livestream. In his talk, “Landscape, Change, and the Long Road Ahead,” science fiction writer Jeff VanderMeer will discuss environmental themes in this year’s text, Ursula Le Guin’s, The Left Hand of Darkness, as well the ecological themes in his writing.
Jeff VanderMeer is a prolific author, including the bestselling novel The Last Man Standing. Southern Reach TrilogyWhose first volume? AnnihilationThe Nebula Award and Shirley Jackson Award were given to ‘The Book of the Dead’. It was also adapted into a movie in 2002 by Alex Garland. VanderMeer’s latest novel, Hummingbird SalamanderThe eco-thriller is called. Theo Ellsworth will publish his short story, “Secret Life”, as a graphic book. VanderMeer is known for highlighting climate change issues in his work. He has also written nonfiction for The Guardian. New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Atlantic.comAmong others. VanderMeer lives with Ann VanderMeer in Tallahassee, Fla. and their cats and birds feeders.
This year’s Symposium text, The Left Hand of Darkness, by Ursula K. Le Guin’s also highlights themes of the environment. The 1969 novel also addresses issues of gender identity and nationalism.
The Left Hand of Darkness, which won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards, follows a human ambassador’s visit to Winter, an icy planet on which the gender of its inhabitants is inherently fluid.
Faculty from Loyola are invited to invite their students for the colloquia discussion prior to the Humanities Symposium. The Left Hand of DarknessTuesday, March 15, and Wednesday, March 16
The Humanities Symposium is open to all, but registration is required. For more information and to register, visit www.loyola.edu/symposium.
