NOTE: RSVP required for the October 10 seminar. Details below.

The Eisenberg Institute continues its Fall 2013 Thursday Speaker Series on October 10, 4 p.m., in 1014 Tisch Hall, with the seminar, "On Agency and Material Life," featuring Walter Johnson (Harvard University). The event will include discussion of two pre-circulated readings, with comments from Rebecca J. Scott (University of Michigan) and Tiya Miles (University of Michigan). Jay Cook (University of Michigan) will chair the session.

Attendance is limited, and RSVPs will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis by contacting eisenberginstitute@umich.edu. Pre-circulated readings will be distributed upon confirmation of RSVP. Room capacity limits will be strictly enforced at this event. This event is free.

On Friday, October 11, 12 p.m. in Tisch Hall, the Institute presents the graduate student seminar, "Agency, Materiality, and the Art of Writing History." The discussion features Professor Johnson and is chaired by Adam Fulton Johnson (Ph.D. Student, History). This event is intended to serve as a graduate student discussion of Professor Johnson's book, River of Dark Dreams; attendees are expected to have read at least a portion of the book. Lunch provided; there is no need to RSVP for this event. The Institute has multiple copies of River of Dark Dreams available for loan to graduate students.

Walter Johnson's latest book, River of Dark Dreams: Slavery and Imperialism in the Mississippi Valley (2013), embeds the history of slavery in the United States in the histories of global capitalism and American imperialism  He is currently writing a book about the 1841 revolt aboard the slave ship Creole. Professor Johnson received his B.A. from Amherst College and his doctorate from Princeton University. Before coming to Harvard, he taught History and American Studies at New York University.

These events have been made possible by a generous contribution from Kenneth and Frances Aftel Eisenberg.

Photo: Steamboat race on the Mississippi, c. 1859 (lithograph; Library of Congress).