March 01, 2007

Eighth Annual Women Studies Colloquium Feb. 27-March 1

(St. Mary's City, MD) February 21, 2007 - The Eighth Annual Women Studies Colloquium boldly tackles the modern institute of marriage with its lecture and discussion series, "Hitched: Marriage in America." The Colloquium will be held at St. Mary's College of Maryland (SMCM) from February 27 through March 1, in Cole Cinema. All Colloquium events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Elizabeth Nutt Williams at 240-895-4467 or enwilliams@smcm.edu, or visit the website at http://www.smcm.edu/ and click on the Hitched link.

Is the modern perception of marriage an impossibly rosy picture? Do the pictures we see of idyllic couples just set us up for disaster? Jennifer Tickle, assistant professor of psychology at SMCM, will speak on Tuesday, February 27, at 4:45 p.m., about "From Runaway Brides to Rose Ceremonies: A Discussion of Media Portrayals of Marriage" Tickle will discuss images of marriage from popular American media and their possible influences on viewers.

What is involved with same-sex couple marriages? If legalized, what would the effect be on the larger community of heterosexual marriages? Jim de Sève, award-winning documentary producer and director will give a screening of his film "Tying the Knot" on Tuesday, February 27 at 8 p.m. De Sève will also speak on Wednesday, February 28 at 4:45 p.m. The lecture, "Tying the Same-Sex Knot: What's at Stake for Same-Sex Couples and Why You Should Care," will look at the details and complications that surround the quest for equal marriage rights in today's society.

Marriage is both more fulfilling and more fragile than ever before, contends Stephanie Coontz, professor of history and family studies at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. Her lecture on Wednesday, February 28 at 8 p.m. is entitled "Courting Trouble? The World Historic Transformation of Marriage," and will explore how marriage has changed more in the last 25 years than the last 300 years.

Does the legal institution of marriage create more problems than its lauded benefits? Should same-sex couples be pursuing the goal? Renowned feminist scholar and outspoken author Claudia Card will lecture on Thursday, March 1, at 4:45 p.m. on "Gay Divorce: Thoughts on the Legal Regulation of Marriage." Card is the Emma Goldman Professor of philosophy at the University of Wisconsin.

Ruth Feingold, associate professor of English at SMCM and coordinator of the Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies Program is the moderator of a roundtable discussion on Thursday, March 1, at 8 p.m.

St. Mary's College of Maryland is ranked one of the best liberal arts colleges in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Kiplinger's. With roots going back to 1840, SMCM is the state's only public honors college, offering the academic excellence of a top private college with the openness and affordability of public education.