Dr. David King Dunaway (University of New Mexico, Albuquerque): "Writing the Southwest"

Thursday, 04.05.2017, 10:15-11:45 a.m., U5/02.22

The Southwestern region of the United States borders Mexico and is the most successfully diverse region of the country, with three prominent groups: Anglo, Hispanic/Chicano, and Indian. The mixture and interaction of these groups is dynamically reflected in its literature of the twentieth century, as documented in a book and documentary radio series, Writing The Southwest. Ranging from best-selling authors such as Barbara Kingsolver and Tony Hillerman to important native authors like Joy Harjo and Simon Ortiz, Southwestern literature offers a fascinating look into critical regionalism and the construction of American identities. It offers Europeans a model for cultural exchange and mutual cultural appreciation, which is most timely today. Dr. Dunaway's talk was illustrated by excerpts from his radio series.

David King Dunaway received Berkeley’s first Ph.D. in American Studies. He is the author and editor of ten books of history and biography and a founding Consultant to UNESCO’s Program in Non-Physical Heritage. He is Professor of English at the University of New Mexico and a documentary producer.