This page is no longer being updated and remains online for informational and historical purposes only. The information is accurate as of the last page update.
For questions about page contents, contact the Communications Division.
Anne Fausto-Sterling, professor of biology and women’s studiesin the department of molecular and cell biology and biochemistry at Brown University, will give a lecture entitled “Sugar and Spice and Puppy Dog Tails: New Ways to Think about the Emergence of Gender Difference,” the keynote speech for Lafayette’s celebration of Women’s History Month, 7:30 p.m. today in Oechsle Hall room 224.
Author of Sexing the Body and the Mythsof Gender, Fausto-Sterling will discuss the complexities of sex and gender and how science is applied to these topics. An opportunity to purchase one of her books and have it signed will follow. Her visit is sponsored by the biology and psychology departments; the neuroscience, women’s studies, and Values and Science in Technology (VAST) programs; and the Ethics Project.
The lecture is one of several Women’s History Month events, including performances, film screenings, an exhibition, a drag show, and Take Back the Night week. This year’s theme is “The Politics of Sex, Gender, and Sexuality.”
A member of the Brown faculty for more than 30 years, Fausto-Sterling has been a visiting professor at a number of institutions in the U.S. and abroad, serving in departments of biology, medical science, gender studies, and science studies. A fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, she has received grants and fellowships in both the sciences and the humanities.
Fausto-Sterling is author of scientific publications in developmental genetics and developmental ecology, and has achieved recognition for works that challenge entrenched scientific beliefs while engaging with the general public. Until recently, her laboratory work has focused on the evolution of regeneration and sexual reproduction in a group of flatworms known as Planaria. Her new work applies dynamic systems theory to the study of human development. Dynamic systems theory deals with understanding how cultural difference becomes bodily difference. Fausto-Sterling’s case studies in this area examine sex differences in bone development and the emergence of gender differences in early childhood behavior.
Women’s History Month events are free and open to the public, except for the cost of the Nrityagram Dance Company performance:
March 2 – Talk: Anne Fausto-Sterling, professor of biology and women’s studiesat Brown University, “Sugar and Spice and Puppy Dog Tails: New Ways to Think about the Emergence of Gender Difference,” 7:30 p.m. Oechsle Hall room 224.
March 21 – Brown bag: artistic director of the all-womenNrityagram Dance Company from India, Surupa Sen, talks about the role of women in Indian culture and mythology, noon-1 p.m., Williams Center for the Arts room 108.
March 22 — Dance: Nrityagram Dance Company from India, 8 p.m., Williams Center for the Arts. Cost: $20. Call 610-330-5009 for tickets.
March 24 — Talk: Leonore Tiefer, “It’s a Big, Bad, Beautiful, Brand New Sexual World out there: Lessons from Sex Research, Therapy, and Politics.” Book purchases and signing will follow. Sponsors: psychology department, women’s studies and VAST programs. 7:30–9 p.m., Oechsle Hall room 224.
March 29 — Talk/movie/discussion: Margarete Lamb-Faffelberger, associate professor and head of foreign languages and literatures, will speak on “Who is Afraid of Elfriede Jelinek,” followed by film based on Jelinek’s novel The Piano Teacher. 7-10 p.m., Oechsle Hall room 224.
March 28-31 — Art installation: Stacy Levy creates a Blue Lake in the Williams Center Art Gallery.
March 27-April 2: United Against Hate Week (selected programs)
March 28 — Day of Silence to honor and support those silenced by hatred, whether it be homophobia, rape, violence against women, racism, etc. Sponsor: Students for Social Justice. A speak out will take place 4 p.m. on the steps of the Farinon Center Atrium.
March 30 — Performance art speaker: Nancy Hulse, “A Rose by No Other Name” (about rape and women’s issues). Sponsors: Association of Lafayette Feminists, Nia, Students for Social Justice, and Lafayette Intercultural Networking Council. 7 pm, Farinon Center Marlo Room.
April 2 — Drag show, featuring professional drag queen Tequila Daniels. Lafayette students are encouraged to participate. Sponsor: Questioning Established Sexual Taboos. 10 p.m., Farinon Center Atrium.
April 2 — Conference participation: Eleventh Annual Undergraduate Women’s Studies Conference, Moravian College, Bethlehem, Pa.
April 5 — Film/Q&A: Mitch McCabe will screen selections of her short films, including Playing the Part (her story of coming out to her family). 7:30-9 p.m., Limburg Theater.
April 11-14: Take Back the Night week. Details to be announced.