UNM Irish Studies is delighted to welcome Dr. Joseph Valente (University at Buffalo) and Dr. Margot Gayle Backus (University of Houston) to discuss their new co-authored book, The Child Sex Scandal and Modern Irish Literature, published by Indiana University Press.
Valente and Backus’s groundbreaking study explores cultural responses to child sex scandals in 20th and 21st-century Irish literature and culture. Through historically contextualized and psychoanalytically informed readings of scandal narratives by notable modern Irish authors, the book presents a nuanced and troubling account of how Ireland’s postcolonial heritage served to enable the trauma and abuse of its most vulnerable citizens. The seminar will feature readings and discussion of the book while also drawing connections to present instances of child imperilment in the direct provision system for refugees in Ireland and in migrant detention facilities at the U.S. border.
Content warning: discussion of sexual abuse cases.
The webinar will take place on Thursday, April 8 at 5pm Mountain. Pre-registration is required.
Please REGISTER HERE, and a Zoom link will be emailed to you.
Direct inquiries to Dr. Sarah Townsend (sltownse@unm.edu).
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