Spring 2008 Distinguished Speaker: David Zarefsky

David Zarefsky

David Zarefsky
Owen L. Coon Professor of Communication Studies,
Northwestern University

"Abraham Lincoln and the House Divided: A Study in Public Argument and Politics"

Thursday, March 27, 7:00 p.m.
Textor 101

Abraham Lincoln gave the "House Divided" speech to open his 1858 campaign against Stephen A. Douglas for the U.S. Senate. Often misunderstood as a prediction of civil war, the speech is a creative response to a complicated and volatile political situation. The lecture will analyze the speech with a view to understanding the relationships between text and context and between language and political choice. It will commemorate the 150th anniversary of this important speech.

To learn more about Professor Zarefsky, please visit his page at the Northwestern University website: 

David Zarefsky