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War has always been a central backdrop or subject of storytelling, but certain events have more impact than others. For American Comics, it’s the Western Theater of WWII, but for Manga, it tends to be the Sengoku Jidai, and in particular, the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. Often seen as an almost mythical event, this battle was such a turning point in history that nearly any feudal manga (or even some placed in the modern day) will have elements or events related to this battle. This battle influences viewpoints and stories in ways that sometimes are overlooked or passed by. Join us for an examination of how this event influenced manga storytelling both overtly and in less obvious ways, and how the themes springing from this event have influence over how manga tells stories even today.

Trine University’s Spring Humanities Symposia continues with Michael Sutton, adjunct professor in Trine’s Department of Humanities andCommunication, presents “A Question of Right and Duty.” Sutton will discuss how the letters of Col. Luther M. Strong of the 49th Ohio Volunteer Infantry have never been shared or made public, despite being an excellent primary source of material from the Western Theatre of operations in the Civil War.

Trine University’s Humanities Symposia continues as Melissa Mayus, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Humanities and Communication, discusses “Sacred Space and Creating a Saint in Medieval Iceland.” Mayus will offer a presentation on Hrafns Saga Sveinbjarnarsonar, a medieval saga that tells of the life of a real 13th-century Icelandic chieftain and physician named Hrafn. Hrafn was a pious and generous man who nonetheless ended up dying in a violent blood feud. The talk will examine the way Hrafn and his home are described in the saga in order to argue that the author was trying to make Hrafn into a saint and portrayed his death as martyrdom. Those who attend can expect to hear about medieval medical practices, blood feuds and sacred spaces, both Christian and pagan, in 13th-century Iceland.

Trine University’s Humanities Symposia concludes with a presentation by Patrick Ridout, assistant director of information services, titled “Wartime Secrets: The Secret Origins of Comic Protagonists.” From Captain America’s creation in World War II to Vagabond’s Battle of Sekigahara and the more recent War Heroes conflict in Afghanistan, each reflection of war comes with an origin story of super science, magic, aliens, gods and religion that become molded by each conflict in different ways. The presentation will look at how each war has impacted society’s views of heroes and villains, and how that has impacted the origins of comic heroes and villains born of conflict.

A writer, teacher and storyteller, Lou Ann Homan has been part of Indiana classrooms for more than 40 years. She has been twice awarded the prestigious Lilly Teacher Creativity Award. She also is an award-winning columnist for KPC Media Group. She is a member of Angola’s Historic Preservation Commission and the Downtown Angola Coalition. Carolyn Powers retired from a career in education and has been an active community volunteer in Steuben County. She serves on the Board of Directors for the new Pleasant Lake Museum, served on the Sojourner Truth Committee with the Downtown Angola Coalition, and is passionate about bringing the story of Sojourner Truth to the community. For more information about the Symposia, contact Melissa Mayus, Ph.D., assistant professor in Trine’s Department of Humanities and Communication, at mayusm@trine.edu.

“In how we often tell the story of women, there is a homogeneous history in which women always, everywhere held the same oppressed position,” Goddard said. “However, historical examples, some of which we will examine in this presentation, provide a much more nuanced picture. Given that this is the case, why does this story continue to circulate?” For more information about the Symposia, contact Melissa Mayus, Ph.D., assistant professor in Trine’s Department of Humanities and Communication, at mayusm@trine.edu.

This presentation aims to shed light on an old issue: women’s inability to shake patriarchal expectations. Through an in-depth study of the Rock Roll Hall of Fame library and archives, Olding will discuss female representation within the Rock Hall, both as an organization and an archival site. Exploring archived materials by such acts as Janis Joplin and Patti Smith, Olding will showcase the lack of representation and self-agency within archivable materials, and reflect on what that says about our society’s expectations of female musicians. For more information about the Symposia, contact Melissa Mayus, Ph.D., assistant professor in Trine’s Department of Humanities and Communication, at mayusm@trine.edu.

Trine University’s Spring 2020 Humanities Symposia continues with “Adventures in the Vatican Secret Archives: Money, Politics and Medieval Universities.” Eric Goddard, Ph.D., professor for the Jannen School of Arts and Sciences, will discuss his experience of going to research in the pope’s personal archives for the first time. The Symposia is presented by Trine’s Department of Humanities and Communication.

Trine University’s Spring 2020 Humanities Symposia continues with “Les Paul: Composing Through the Times.” The Symposia is presented by Trine’s Department of Humanities and Communication (HAC). Christine Olding, Ph.D., assistant professor in Trine’s Department of Humanities and Communication, will present “Les Paul: Composing Through the Times.” Olding will discuss how Lester William Posfuss, better known as Les Paul, changed how audiences listen to music. Les Paul was not only a famous musician, but also an inventor. He designed the solid-body electric guitar and introduced revolutionary recording techniques. To this day, Paul’s work continues to be heard in rock, jazz and country. He’s the only person to be in both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and National Inventors Hall of Fame.

Trine University’s Fall 2019 Humanities Symposia concludes with “Hammers, Superheroes, and Apocalyptic Weapons: Norse Mythology in Comics.” Patrick Ridout, assistant director of information services in the LINK, Trine’s library and academic support center, discusses Norse myths and how they have been reinterpreted and popularized in comics.

Ana Boman, lecturer of Trine’s Department of Humanities and Communication, will discuss La Catrina, an important symbol of Mexican culture, especially during the Day of the Dead tradition. Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) is a Mexican holiday where the culture celebrates deceased relatives. Deceased sprits are believed to return to the real world from the spirit world, and are celebrated as honored guests with their families.

Presented by Dr. Jeanette Goddard. The Deceived is an Italian comedy first published in 1532. Assumed to be the source play for Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, the play involves mistaken identities, family members that were thought to be dead, and cross-dressing nuns. In a playful way, this comedy deals with the serious topics of pursuing what you want, of using deceit to overcome obstacles, and, ultimately, what community should look like.

Christine Olding, Ph.D., assistant professor in Trine’s Department of Humanities and Communication, will present “20th Century Boy.” Olding will discuss how Marc Bolan, lead singer of T. Rex, founded a genre of music through the Glam movement.