This reading group, coordinated by the Humanities Institute, invites faculty at all career stages across the university to share their latest monographs in the humanities with colleagues and members of the community. Copies of selected books will be provided to reading group members to read before the meeting. This format allows for a more conversational tone and provides an opportunity to engage with the work more deeply. 

By highlighting the recent work of Penn State faculty, the purpose of the group is to forge new connections and inspire interdisciplinary collaborations, by raising awareness of our colleagues’ latest research and providing a space for dialogue that goes beyond conventional book presentations.

 

Fall 2026–Spring 2027:

All events are held in 102 Ihlseng Cottage at 4:00 p.m. except for Thursday, January 28, which will be held in 302 Pond Laboratory at 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 21: 

Laura Feibush, Assistant Professor of Rhetoric and Composition, Penn State Harrisburg

Gestural Listening In and Beyond the Classroom

Wednesday, November 18:

Tawny Holm, Associate Professor of Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies and Jewish Studies

Aramaic Literature from Egypt and the Levant

Wednesday, December 9: 

Shara McCallum, Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of English

Behold

Thursday, January 28 in 302 Pond: 

Jessica Vantine Birkenholtz, Associate Professor, Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies and Asian Studies

The Swasthani Vrata Katha: A Secret Vow to the Goddess

Tuesday, February 23: 

Mathias Hanses, Associate Professor of Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies, African Studies, and African American Studies 

Black Cicero: W. E. B. Du Bois and the Ancient Romans in the 19th and 20th Centuries

Wednesday, March 24: 

Michele Kennerly, Associate Professor, Communication Arts and Sciences and Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies

Automated Athens: Ancient Greek Ideals in the Early Age of Automation

Wednesday, April 21: 

Marissa Nicosia, Associate Professor of Renaissance Literature, Penn State Abington

Shakespeare in the Kitchen 

Participation in each session is by registration through the Humanities Institute listserv. A limited number of hard copies for most of the books in the program will be available on a first come, first served basis, to be sent through campus mail before each reading group meeting. If a participant receives a book, they are agreeing to read in advance for the discussion. All books will also be available in electronic format through the library.

 

(Contact humanities@psu.edu with any questions.)