2020-21 Department of Scandinavian Studies Senior Major Colloquium
Friday, 4/30/21: 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Online via Zoom: Miranda Johnsen & Elizabeth Z. Johnson
Join the Department of Scandinavian Studies at our annual Senior Major Colloquium this Friday, April 30th, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. as we showcase the excellent academic work of and celebrate our two senior majors Miranda Johnsen and Elizabeth Z. Johnson graduating this spring. This year’s colloquium will be held online; please reach out to kmoody@gac.edu if you are interested in attending.
Student Miranda Johnsen will present: “My Neighbor Moomin: Depictions of the Environment, Industrialism, and War in the Works of Tove Jansson and Hayao Miyazaki”
Abstract: In a period of artistic expression marked by hopelessness and the loss of faith in humanity — i.e. Brutalism, Postmodernism, and the noir — Tove Jansson and Hayao Miyazaki’s work emphasizes the child’s natural affinity for empathy and kindness in unkind worlds. Inside idealized and fantastical portrayals of childhood, Jansson and Miyazaki created cautionary tales about the impact that humanity, through industrialism and war, has had on the environment.
Student Elizabeth Z. Johnson will present: “Are You Fluent? Exploring the Necessity of Translation to Uncovering History”
Abstract: Through a case study of one historical document, this presentation will explore how translation plays a central role in helping us to understand the context surrounding historical events. This presentation provides insight into the process of selecting documents to translate, the translation itself, and what can be gleaned from discoveries during translation.
Welcome as we celebrate Miranda and Elizabeth’s excellent academic work over the past four year at Gustavus and all that lies ahead for them!