James C. Scott and the "Deep Histories of Southeast Asia"

The History Department is honored to welcome Professor James C. Scott to Pomona College, the 2017 Ena H. Thompson Distinguished Lecturer.

As part of his visit, Professor Scott will be delivering two public lectures, both of which take place at 11 a.m. in Rose Hills Theater (Smith Campus Center):

"Against the Grain: A Deep History of the First Agrarian States of Southeast Asia"
Tuesday, March 28, 2017

"Project for an Eco-Biography of the Irrawaddy River"
Thursday, March 30, 2017

James C. Scott is one of the most significant intellectuals of the late 20th century, whose scholarly work has made a lasting impact throughout the humanities and social sciences.  An anthropologist, political scientist, and multi-faceted historian, Scott's work concentrates on the ways peasants and other subaltern populations resist domination.  He is the author of scores of books and articles, many of which are legendary works in the social sciences, including: The Moral Economy of the Peasant in Southeast Asia (1976), Weapons of the Weak: Everyday Forms of Peasant Resistance (1980), Domination and the Arts of Resistance: Hidden Transcripts (1990), and Two Cheers for Anarchism: Six Easy Pieces on Autonomy, Dignity, and Meaningful Work and Play (2013), a book he will be discussing with students.

Scott is the Sterling Professor of Political Science and Anthropology and the founding director of the Program in Agrarian Studies at Yale University.  As part of his week-long visit he will deliver two public lectures, hold a seminar with history students, and be featured in the department's annual Ena H. Thompson Alumni dinner.  This year's alumni event also includes a free concert by the legendary Burmese musician Kyaw Kyaw Naing. 

Concert: Kyaw Kyaw Naing & the Saing Waing: The Drum Circle of Burma
Bridges Hall of Music, Pomona College
Friday, March 31, 2017 at 8 p.m.

This is a series of events that is not to be missed! We hope you can join us for what is certain to be a stimulating and entertaining week!

Endowed in 1980 through the generosity of Ena H. Thompson, these annual lectures encourage a broader understanding and appreciation of history. Generally held in the spring semester, the lectureship brings a distinguished historian to the Pomona College campus for a week of intensive interaction with students, faculty, and alumni. The visiting lecturers are elected both on the basis of their past contributions to the discipline and of the importance of their current research in advancing the field.