[PAST EVENT] Alternative Voices exhibit presentation & reception

December 6, 2011
2pm - 3:30pm
Location
Swem Library, Read & Relax Area
400 Landrum Dr
Williamsburg, VA 23185Map this location
The diversity of the College of William & Mary community finds expression in a variety of student campus publications. Although The Flat Hat, first published in 1911, is often considered the "official" student newspaper, over the years, more than 50 different student publications have emerged to express alternative voices.

Many of these publications fall into categories designating politics, literary/art, humor, special interests and zines. The array of publications reveals the intellectual freedom supported within
and around our brick-lined campus. Students use these publication venues to showcase their original ideas and critical thinking -- complementing what takes place within the classroom walls.
Whether actively encouraging dissent, revealing the taboo or carving out a special-interest niche, these publications give space for student creativity.

In this exhibit, we hoped to address the question: "What voice does each publication contribute to the William & Mary community?" To answer this question, the class focused on specific
genres or individual publications that represented their own interests connecting them to students past and present.

The exhibit begins by suggesting how difficult it is to get students involved beyond their academic lives. "Mission Impossible" looks at publications that depart from traditional journalism by offering strong political opinions. In the "Psychology of Dissent," students
looked back to the 1960s for models of activism and subversion. Although tackling serious subjects, "Taboo Topics" examines the ways that publications handle issues about sex, race and authority through parody and avoiding censorship. Finally, by looking at two specific publications, Lips and Her Campus, we find voices that subvert traditional views of gender and sexual stereotypes as well as ones that promote and celebrate traditional images. In "Read our Lips" and "Fashion, Flirting, Fitness, & Fun" the spectrum of alternative voices confirms a
campus culture that encourages independent thinking and acceptance of diversity.

This exhibit was curated by students in Prof. Sharon Zuber's fall 2011 "Constructing the News" Introduction to Literary and Cultural Studies class (LCST 201) and the Special Collections
Research Center staff. Student Curators: Brooke Anderson, Nicole Chung, Danielle Coradazzi, Gina Falcone, Shayela Hassan, Alexandria Hiponia, Brian Lynn, Jaren Maynard, Reid McBride, Rebecca Moses, Grace Pezzeminti, Heidi Scanlon, Elizabeth Scott, Jacqueline Vasquez, Lindsay
Wade.
Contact

[[acsch, Amy Schindler]] 757-221-3094