War has always been a central backdrop or subject of storytelling, but certain events have more impact than others. For American Comics, it’s the Western Theater of WWII, but for Manga, it tends to be the Sengoku Jidai, and in particular, the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. Often seen as an almost mythical event, this battle was such a turning point in history that nearly any feudal manga (or even some placed in the modern day) will have elements or events related to this battle. This battle influences viewpoints and stories in ways that sometimes are overlooked or passed by. Join us for an examination of how this event influenced manga storytelling both overtly and in less obvious ways, and how the themes springing from this event have influence over how manga tells stories even today.

Trine University’s Spring Humanities Symposia continues with Michael Sutton, adjunct professor in Trine’s Department of Humanities and
Communication, presents “A Question of Right and Duty.” Sutton will discuss how the letters of Col. Luther M. Strong of the 49th Ohio Volunteer Infantry have never been shared or made public, despite being an excellent primary source of material from the Western Theatre of operations in the Civil War.

A writer, teacher and storyteller, Lou Ann Homan has been part of Indiana classrooms for more than 40 years. She has been twice awarded the prestigious Lilly Teacher Creativity Award. She also is an award-winning columnist for KPC Media Group. She is a member of Angola’s Historic Preservation Commission and the Downtown Angola Coalition.

Carolyn Powers retired from a career in education and has been an active community volunteer in Steuben County. She serves on the Board of Directors for the new Pleasant Lake Museum, served on the Sojourner Truth Committee with the Downtown Angola Coalition, and is passionate about bringing the story of Sojourner Truth to the community.

For more information about the Symposia, contact Melissa Mayus, Ph.D., assistant professor in Trine’s Department of Humanities and Communication, at [email protected].

“In how we often tell the story of women, there is a homogeneous history in which women always, everywhere held the same oppressed position,” Goddard said. “However, historical examples, some of which we will examine in this presentation, provide a much more nuanced picture. Given that this is the case, why does this story continue to circulate?”

For more information about the Symposia, contact Melissa Mayus, Ph.D., assistant professor in Trine’s Department of Humanities and Communication, at [email protected].