HSS Humanities Center Mini-Residency: Tore Olsson

Tore Olsson, associate professor of History and director of graduate studies at the University of Tennessee–Knoxville, will deliver a public lecture and graduate student consultations as part of the HSS Humanities Center Graduate Course-Based Mini-Residency Program, hosted by Professor Julia Irwin (LSU Department of History) and the students of HIST 7956.
 
Graduate Student Research Consultations
Monday, November 11, 2024
3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Himes Hall 225A
Free and open to interested graduate students working in the humanities. Email Julia Irwin (jirwin7@lsu.edu) by Monday, November 4, to reserve a slot. Students with reserved spots will have priority, but drop-ins will be welcome is space and time are available. 
 
Graduate Student Workshop: Researching and Teaching with Video Games and Popular Culture
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
Hodges Hall 155
Open to all HSS graduate students. Refreshments will be served. 
 
Public Lecture: "Red Dead's History: How a Blockbuster Video Game Can Help Us Understand America's Violent Past"
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
5:00 p.m.
Allen Hall 139
Free and open to the public. Book signing to follow.
 
An historian with interests centered on the U.S. South, pop culture, rural and agricultural history, transnational history, environment, and food, Prof. Olsson works to make serious history accessible and relevant to a diversity of audiences. His most recent book is Red Dead's History: A Video Game, and Obsession, and America's Violent Past (St. Martin's Press/Macmillan, 2024). The book turns a spotlight on the recent Red Dead Redemption video games, the most-played digital renditions of American history since The Oregon Trail. Weaving the games' plot and characters into exploration of American violence between 1870 and 1920, the book shows that i was more often disputes over capitalism and race, not just poker games and bank robberies that fueled the bloodshed of these turbulent years. From the West to Deep South to Appalachia, the book seeks to reveal the gritty world that inspired the games, but sometimes lacks context and complexity on the digital screen. Aimed at video gamers and historians alike, the book was inspired by his experimental undergraduate class. Fans of the game might be enthused to learn that the audiobook version of the Red Dead's History is narrated by actor Roger Clark, who played Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption II.
 
To learn more about the HSSHC, or for questions, write Chris Barrett via email at cbarrett@lsu.edu or visit the HSS Humanities Center website. 

 

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