MLA Northeast Modern Language Association 48th Annual Convention March 23–26, 2017 BALTIMORE, MARYLAND Local Host: Johns Hopkins University Administrative Sponsor: SUNY University at Buffalo To the Northeast Modern Language Association Conference attendees: On behalf of my colleagues here at the Johns Hopkins University, I extend a warm welcome to you and to the Annual Convention of the Northeast Modern Language Association. The Krieger School of Arts and Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University is proud to serve as the host institution for this Toyear’s the Northeast NeMLA Modernmeeting Language because Association this event Conference emphas attendees:izes our shared commitment to the value of teaching and research in the arts and humanities in general, and in languages and literatures Onspecifically. behalf of my colleagues here at the Johns Hopkins University, I extend a warm welcome to you and to the Annual Convention of the Northeast Modern Language Association. The Krieger School of Arts and Sciences at the JohnsJHU wasHopkins instrumental University is in proud the tocreation serve as the of hostthe institutionMLA and for had this importantyear’s NeMLA representation meeting because atthis its event emphasizesinauguration our shared at Columbia commitment University to the value in of1883. teaching Hopkins and research professor in the ofarts Romance and humanities Languages in general, andAaron inMarshall languages Elliott and literatures was one specifically. of the Association’s founders, as well as its first secretary and editor of the journal that would become PMLA, which remains one of the pre-eminent journals of literary JHUscholarship. was instrumental A year in later the creation Professor of the Elliott MLA establishedand had important the representationnation’s first at doctoral its inauguration program at Columbia in Romance UniverLanguagessity in 1883 at .Hopkins, Hopkins professor which trainedof Romance a greatLanguages many Aaron of Marshallthe next Elliott generation’s was one of the professors Association’s of literature founders,and language. as well as its It firstis no secretary exaggeration and editor toof thesay journal that ththate wouldinstitutional become historyPMLA, whichof NeMLA’s remains onefields of theof study prehas-eminent been journalspunctuated of literary by scholarship. events and A year innovations later Professor at ElliottHopkins, establish fromed thethe nation’sintroduction first doctoral of the German programphilological in Romance research Languages model at Hopkins, into Amer whichican train academiaed a great many at ofthe the end next ofgeneration’s the 19th professors century ofto the literexplosionature and of language. French It literaryis no exaggeration theory in to the say that1960s. the institutionalWe are truly history excited of NeMLA’s that NeMLA, fields of study the haslargest been of the punctuatedMLA’s regional by events conferences, and innovations has at Hopkins, chosen from Hopkins the introduction to be its of institutional the German philologicalhost for its research 2017 conference. model into American academia at the end of the 19th century to the explosion of French literary theory in the 1960s. We are trulyThis excitedchoice that highlights NeMLA, thenew largest investments of the MLA in’s theregional hu manitiesconferences, that has chosenhave beenHopkins and to be continue its institutional to be hostcentral for its goals 2017 conference. of my administration. The establishment of the Alexander Grass Humanities Institute at the beginning of this academic year paved the way for two semesters of highly visible and vital Thisprogramming choice highlights in the new humanities, investments in starting the humanities with ourthat havehosting been theand continuefifth meeting to be central of the goals International of my administrSocietya fortion. the The History establishment of the of Humanities the Alexander in Grass October, Humanities and Institute now culminating at the beginning in ofNeMLA’s this academic exciting year paved the way for two semesters of highly visible and vital programming in the humanities, starting with our week of events. I am delighted to see the participation of so many Hopkins scholars in NeMLA’s hosting the fifth meeting of the International Society for the History of the Humanities in October, and now activities, and am certain many visitors and the stimulating program will bring great enrichment to culminating in NeMLA’s exciting week of events. I am delighted to see the participation of so many Hopkins our campus. scholars in NeMLA’s activities, and am certain many visitors and the stimulating program will bring great enrichment to our campus. I remain convinced that the significant challenges we face in the world today can only be tackled Iwith remain the convinced full range that ofthe human significant knowledge challenges we and face increativity, the world today a conviction can only be thattackled entails with the embracing full range of and humanadvancing knowledge the and liberal creativity, arts aas conviction the cornerstone that entails embracingof higher and education advancing the and liberal the arts creation as the cornerstone of new ofknowledge. higher education Our and firm the support creation of of new the knowledge. fields of Ourmodern firm support languages of the fields and of literatures modern languag growses and as well from literathis turesconviction. grows as well from this conviction. LetLet me me conclude conclude by expressing by expressing my sincerest my thanks sincerest to each than and everyks to attendeeeach and and participant every attendee for bringing and your participant expertisefor bringing to this your gathering, expertise and helping to this propel gathering, the humanities and intohelping the future. propel It is themy great humanities pleasure to into open the the future. It is doorsmy great of the Johnspleasure Hopkins to openUniversity the to doors the intellectual of the Johns excitement Hopkins and innovation University that to NeMLA the intellectual promises to excitement inspire.and innovation that NeMLA promises to inspire. Sincerely,Sincerely, c Dr.Dr. BeverlyBeverly Wendland, Wendland, James James B. Knapp B. Dean Knapp Dean KriegerKrieger School School of Arts of Arts and Sciencesand Sciences Office of the Dean The Johns Hopkins University 3400 N. Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21218 410.516.4065 Fax: 410.516.4100 Office of the Dean The Johns Hopkins University 3400 N. Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21218 410.516.4065 Fax: 410.516.4100 2 February 2017 Dean NeMLA Members and Colleagues, On behalf of the University at Buffalo, NeMLA’s administrative host institution since 2013, I would like to personally welcome each of you to the 48th Annual Convention of the Northeast Modern Language Association. The College of Arts and Sciences at the University at Buffalo is proud to serve as NeMLA’s sponsor and administrative home, because both UB and NeMLA are characterized by the same kind of profound interdisciplinary investments, leadership in public and intellectual engagement, and a belief in the importance of a liberal arts education for the 21st century. Like NeMLA, the largest regional MLA conference that has nonetheless preserved a close-knit, intimate character, UB's College of Arts and Sciences combines the strength of a large college with the values and relationships emblematic of smaller liberal arts communities. For the last three years, UB, NeMLA, and its rotating local host institutions have collaborated to bring together inspiring speakers and scholars at each NeMLA convention to ensure that our and your work in the Humanities remains at the cutting edge. This year, we are excited to partner with Johns Hopkins University to showcase the most exciting developments in the modern languages and interdisciplinary humanities. We share your passion for the arts and the humanities, and together, we can show how new initiatives and ideas in the liberal arts spring from forging partnerships across organizations and disciplinary boundaries. Such partnerships are crucial to help articulate a global agenda for the role and scope of the humanities in the contemporary world. At a historical juncture when higher education is facing so many changes, both at a national and global level, we take our role in fostering robust intellectual and public engagements seriously, both on and off campus. The UB-NeMLA collaboration, in particular, has been decorated with successes in creating dialogue, inspiring students, and engaging faculty to produce knowledge for the betterment of society. We are proud to be part of this effort toward increasing the impact and reach of your contributions. Let me conclude by thanking you: for bringing your expertise to this gathering, and for helping pave the humanities’ way into the future. Prepare yourself to be challenged and inspired. It is our genuine pleasure at UB to be part of the ongoing and fulfilling experiences that NeMLA embodies every year. Sincerely, Robin G. Schulze Dean College of Arts and Sciences Office of the Dean 810 Clemens Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260-4600 716.645.2711 (F) 716.645.3888 [email protected] cas.buffalo.edu 3 CATHERINE E. PUGH Mayor 250 City Hall, 100 North Holliday Street Baltimore, Maryland 21202 March 23, 2017 I am pleased to welcome the Northeast Modern Language Association to Baltimore, and gratified that NeMLA event organizers and members have selected our city to host your 48th Annual Convention. With panels,