DANBURY, CONN. — Western Connecticut State University will host several events in conjunction with Banned Books week, beginning Monday, Oct. 1. Banned Books Week raises awareness of issues such as First Amendment rights, censorship and the freedom to express ideas that are considered controversial.

 

WestConn Assistant Professor of Psychology Dr. Daniel Barrett is coordinating this year’s Banned Books events at the university along with Assistant Professor of History and Non-Western Cultures Dr. Katherine Allocco and Assistant Professor of English Dr. Don Gagnon.

“The week is exciting because we are celebrating our freedom to read what we want to read and to express ourselves,” Barrett said. 

All events are free and open to the public and will be on WestConn’s Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury. 

Banned Books Week will begin at noon on Monday, Oct. 1, with the talk “Joyce’s ‘Ulysses’ and the Odyssey of the American Mindset: From ‘Banned’ to the ‘20th Century’s Number One English Language Novel.’” Jeanne Lakatos, an adjunct instructor in the department of writing, linguistics and creative process, will share her thoughts in the lobby of Warner Hall on the Midtown campus.  

There will be a Readathon from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 2 and 3, outside the Midtown campus Student Center. The Readathon will feature WestConn students and faculty reading excerpts from banned or challenged books in a public forum. In the event of inclement weather, these events will be held in the Warner Hall lobby.  

“It’s a statement saying we can read these books if we want to,” Barrett said. “We are allowed that right according to the Constitution.” 

From 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 2, the Roger Sherman Debate Society, a WestConn student organization, will discuss the question “Should Prisons Have the Right to Ban Religious Books?” in the Warner Hall lobby. The audience is welcome to fully participate in the debate.

At 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 2, a discussion about freedom of expression will be in the Warner Hall lobby. Panelists will include Professor Emeritus of Justice and Law Administration Dr. Harold Schramm, Assistant Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences Dr. Abby Zink, News-Times Editorial Page Editor Mary Connolly, and Connecticut State University System Student Trustee Andrew Wetmore. Recent issues in the news concerning freedom of speech will be among those addressed.

“These discussions celebrate the human spirit,” Barrett said. “I think each one will show that spirit shining through against oppositional forces that would suppress free speech and free thought.” 

From 2 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 3, there will be a panel discussion on the topic of “A Contested Legacy: The Fitful Development of Freedom of the Press in the Americas.” Speakers will include Associate Professor of History and Non-Western Cultures Dr. Kevin Gutzman; Assistant Professor of History and Non-Western Cultures Dr. Joshua Rosenthal; and Jeffrey White, an attorney with Robinson and Cole LLP. 

WestConn’s Banned Books Week will culminate with a student Poetry Slam at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 4, in Alumni Hall on the Midtown campus. This event is part of an open mic night at the weekly Midtown Coffeehouse, and will be followed by featured artist Brianne Chasanoff. Guests who attend the Poetry Slam are encouraged to stay for the musical performance. Donations to sustain the Coffeehouse will be accepted.   

Parking will be available in WestConn’s White Street parking garage and in the lot adjacent to White Hall. 

For more information, call the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.