Panel Discussion And Performance: Is The English Major Useless
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - On Monday, February 9, five Williams College English majors from the class of 1997 will present a discussion based on lives and careers in the arts, titled, "The Williams English Major: As Useless as you Thought?"Panelists will look to challenge the perceived lack of utility of the English major. The panel discussion will be followed later by a performance. The panel discussion will take place at 4:15 p.m. in Brooks-Rogers Recital Hall. The performance will be held at 7:30 p.m., also in Brooks-Rogers Recital Hall.
The panel discussion will focus on finding an interesting, rewarding, English-major-related day job while living a life in pursuit of art. Panelists will look to demonstrate, by use of their experiences, the idea that the English major has been a useful foundation for creative enterprise. Each panelist will speak briefly about his or her work and then answer questions.
The panelists are freelance illustrator/art professor/commercial salmon fisherwoman Robbi Behr, Episcopal priest/singer/songwriter Drew Bunting, television producer/bass player/bacon enthusiast Rich Flynn, editor/novelist/musician/literary journal founder Brian Slattery, and communications consultant/satirist/blues harmonica player Matthew Swanson.
The evening performance will consist of original songs by Drew Bunting, "readings" by Brian Slattery from his two novels, and readings by Robbi Behr and Matthew Swanson from their satirical illustrated books. These readings will be accompanied by a live musical performance. String theorist/improvisational comedian Brian Wecht '97 and Buxton school student/teen drumming sensation Aidan Shepard will join the others for the performance.
The event is being co-sponsored by the English department and the Office of Career Counseling (OCC).
