Duke University Center for African and African American Research

This international conference will seek to explore a series of questions about the relationship between Jews, Jewishness and critical theory at the present. The conference will explore questions of the figure of "the Jew(s)," and whether or not this figure should continue to occupy a privileged place in theory. It will also explore the role of Jewish intellectuals, and consider how the notion "the end of theory" might be significant to the changing or disappearing figure of the Jewish intellectual, or of Jewishness in theory. These questions will be explored in light of "the resistance to theory" within and around the disciplines that variously serve as homes for scholars in the academic field known as "Jewish Studies." Scholars will also consider how the linguistic turn of 20th century theory is related to its Jewishness, whether outrage against the language of theory might have some relation, and what language (if any), is suitable then for such a set of inquiries. This conference is open to the public. This conference is made possible by the generous support of the Duke Center for Jewish Studies, the Leonard and Tobee Kaplan Chair of Modern Jewish Thought at UNC, the John Hope Franklin Humanities Institute, the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies, Duke Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, UNC Institute for the Arts and Humanities, the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at Duke University, and the Department of Religious Studies at UNC

Every Spring late in the Semester, the Center celebrates its namesake - Mary Lou Williams. Featuring a weekend at the Hampton's theme, the Center honors Ms. Williams with an assortment of delightful treats and jazz music. It is always a pleasure to take time out to honor those who have gone before us, and what better time to do it and what better person to honor than the woman who dedicated her talents and skills to Duke University unto her passing. Mary Lou Day is a day of cheer and jeer. It is the day that we celebrate the life and birth of Ms. Williams and the work that she has contributed to the University. Join us as we commemorate our history and future.

This international conference will seek to explore a series of questions about the relationship between Jews, Jewishness and critical theory at the present. The conference will explore questions of the figure of "the Jew(s)," and whether or not this figure should continue to occupy a privileged place in theory. It will also explore the role of Jewish intellectuals, and consider how the notion "the end of theory" might be significant to the changing or disappearing figure of the Jewish intellectual, or of Jewishness in theory. These questions will be explored in light of "the resistance to theory" within and around the disciplines that variously serve as homes for scholars in the academic field known as "Jewish Studies." Scholars will also consider how the linguistic turn of 20th century theory is related to its Jewishness, whether outrage against the language of theory might have some relation, and what language (if any), is suitable then for such a set of inquiries. This conference is open to the public. This conference is made possible by the generous support of the Duke Center for Jewish Studies, the Leonard and Tobee Kaplan Chair of Modern Jewish Thought at UNC, the John Hope Franklin Humanities Institute, the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies, Duke Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, UNC Institute for the Arts and Humanities, the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at Duke University, and the Department of Religious Studies at UNC

Each year during Commencement weekend, the Mary Lou Williams Center supports Final Honors, a Black student graduation ceremony and reception, for all affiliated seniors and their families. A student committee enjoys the opportunity to work on this program annually, securing a keynote speaker, student artists to display varied talents and creating a memory book of pictures from throughout the year with words of encouragement from the graduating seniors' families. During the Saturday program, students participate by walking across the stage at Page Auditorium, receiving a special kente cloth stole, and the memory book. Guests of families, campus, and community members attend to extend best wishes and bid farewell.