The WVU Humanities Center is thrilled to welcome Dr. Karen Culcasi, a Humanities Center Fellow, for a thought-provoking discussion based on her new book, “Displacing Territory: Syrian and Palestinian Refugees in Jordan.” This event, set for Thursday, Feb. 1, at 4:30 p.m. in the Milano Room of the Downtown Library, promises to shed light on the complex realities of refugee life.
Culcasi’s insightful work goes
beyond mere statistics and headlines. In “Displacing Territory,” she delves into the deeply personal
experiences of Palestinian and Syrian refugees in Jordan, explores how their
individual understanding of territory shapes their sense of belonging, and
navigates the often-mismatched borders imposed by the Western perspective.
Through powerful storytelling and meticulous research, Culcasi reveals alternative
conceptions of territory that exist outside the traditional state-based
divisions.
Presciently, Culcasi brings us into
refugees’ diverse realities through their own words. In a time of global
upheaval, her scholarship promises to be impactful in shaping the discourse on
displacement. Her focus on Jordan, a Global South state that hosts the world’s
second-largest number of refugees per capita, serves to reframe the potential
strategies in global humanitarian efforts. Her presentation promises to
challenge the stereotypical portrayal of refugees often prevalent in the Global
North, fostering empathy and understanding for their experiences.
Culcasi is an associate professor in
the Department
of Geology and Geography
in the Eberly
College of Arts and Sciences.
Following the talk, a reception and
book signing will provide an opportunity to meet Culcasi and purchase a signed
copy of “Displacing Territory.”
This event is free and open to the public. For more information contact Joseph
Deal, program assistant, at joseph.deal@mail.wvu.edu.