The Boston College Department of Medical Humanities, Health, and Culture presents a spring conference to be held virtually on Saturday, April 2, 2022.

“Myth and Art” will explore the interrelation of the multiple functions of myth, literature, and art, as well as the interpretation of mythological narratives and their visual depictions. The main approach will be inter-textual and inter-media in nature and the contributors will grapple with and attempt to answer several questions: How do artists incorporate myths into their own works of art? How are the combinations of myth and art interpreted by ancient and modern day spectators? Are there differences and similarities in those interpretations? What factors (psychological, religious, political, financial, etc.) influenced the selection of the myth and the artistic medium?

There is a burgeoning of academic literature on Boko Haram since the inception of the group in 2009. Many of these studies have taken on a social science analytical perspective to understand “the why” of Boko Haram terrorism. Building on these studies, this panel takes a more humanistic and cultural studies approach to the study of Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria. Focusing on the ‘experiential truth’ that emerges in the narratives of Boko Haram terrorism in a wide range of media and genres, the panel is interested in understanding Boko Haram terrorism as a lived experience.