The campus community is invited to a free presentation by Sociology Department associate professor Dr. Justin Sean Myers titled, "The Invention of California: Unpacking the Dreamscapes of Settlers."

Myers will discuss how European settlers have invented California in ways that legitimize their ownership of the land and its subsequent social and ecological transformation. As some settlers envisioned California as a mythical island paradise, others hoped for a Spanish fantasy land or a Mediterranean paradise. Such inventions were also wrapped in notions of European supremacy and white supremacy that still continue to shape the ecology, built environment and cultural politics of the state.

Myers currently teaches classes tied to social theory and inequality and oversees the College of Social Sciences Honors Program.

His research explores how the social organization of power shapes the distribution of social, economic, and environmental benefits and burdens in society, especially along lines of class, race, gender and nationality.

In particular, he focuses on how conflicts over the production, appropriation, and allocation of these benefits and burdens play out between communities, organizations, state-based actors and corporations.

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 29
Time: Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Library, Room 2108

For more information, contact Dr. Justin Myers at justinmyers@mail.fresnostate.edu or 559.278.6877 for accommodations.