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Oct. 24, 2007
 Dr. Jane Caputi, a nationally-known women’s studies scholar, will show and discuss her film, “The Pornography of Everyday Life,” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, in the UPS Auditorium of the Lincoln Center, 3627 Peters Ave.
Her visit will kick off the Dr. R. Franklin Terry Women’s Studies Lecture Series, a new effort by Morningside College to bring a renowned women’s studies scholar to campus every semester for the next three years.
Caputi, a women’s studies professor at Florida Atlantic University, is recognized nationally for her interpretations of popular culture, mythology, gender, and violence. Her film, “The Pornography of Everyday Life,” incorporates more than 200 images from advertising, news media, ancient myth, contemporary art, and pornography to examine attitudes toward gender, power, nature, and the sacred feminine. (NOTE: Film contains strong language and sexual content.)
During her lecture, Caputi will challenge everyday assumptions. She will argue that sexism is connected to racism, militarism, and destruction of the environment because all of these things are about controlling other people or things, rather than viewing them as equals. She said she will provide enough information through ideas and imagery that everyone will be able to participate in a discussion of her arguments.
“Sometimes people agree with me, and sometimes they want to challenge me. I find it’s different every time,” Caputi said. “I just hope they’ll be stimulated and interested. I don’t every expect anyone to absolutely agree with me.”
The day after her lecture, Caputi will lead a faculty workshop at Morningside College based on an article she wrote about the movie “Shrek,” which, among other things, examines how Shrek’s greenness points symbolically to some of the film’s themes celebrating the happy body, nature, and the Earth. Faculty members from Briar Cliff University and Western Iowa Tech Community College have been invited to attend.
Caputi said she is excited to interact with faculty members in Sioux City and get feedback from them regarding concepts she is exploring for her new book. She said she will credit anyone whose ideas contribute to her work.
“Creating in community, that’s my idea of fun,” she said.
The new women’s studies lecture series is named for Dr. R. Franklin Terry, who joined the Morningside faculty in 1967 and served the college for 25 years. As a professor of religious studies and later as academic dean, Terry championed the liberal arts and social justice. For these qualities and his significant support of feminism on campus and in the community, Morningside honors Terry with this women’s studies series.
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