Fifth installment of ELP Lecture Series to be held on May 15

May 08, 2014

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In an effort to provide opportunities to listen to real English outside the classroom, this year the English Language Program, a part of the university’s Department of Foreign Language Education, will continue to offer lectures in the ELP Lecture Series. In this ongoing series, each lecturer chooses an accessible topic and explains it in English which is neither too difficult nor too easy.

The fifth lecture in the series, “Can Katy Perry be Japanese?” will be held on Thursday, May 15: ELP teacher Lissette Lorenz will examine the controversy surrounding singer-songwriter Katy Perry’s performance at last year’s American Music Awards. Perry’s performance, which borrowed many of its elements from Japanese culture, sparked a heated debate about cultural appropriation and White privilege. Ms. Lorenz will explore the different positions taken in this debate, including those of J. F. Oberlin University students.

The ELP Lecture Series is open to students, faculty, staff, and anybody else whose English skills could use a bit of a challenge. This is a great opportunity for you to have a little overseas study experience right here at home. The first four lectures in the ELP Lecture Series can be watched here:

Date and timeThursday, May 15, from 5:50 to 6:35 p.m.
PlaceRoom A712 (Meimeikan, on Machida Campus)

The lecture will be in English with no translation. There is no fee to attend, and reservations are not necessary.


For additional information, please call the Cornerstone Center office: 042-797-9341. Fax: 042-797-9342. E-mail: corners@obirin.ac.jp.