Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, [email protected]  

CANYON, Texas — A classic novel about life in wartime and how we think about conflict will be in the spotlight for the next installment of WT’s Great Books Series. 

Dr. Brian Ingrassia, associate professor of history, will discuss Stephen Crane’s “Red Badge of Courage” at 7 p.m. Nov. 9 via Zoom. 

“I chose ‘Red Badge of Courage’ for a number of reasons,” Ingrassia said. “Some of my research is on the history of intercollegiate athletics, and Stephen Crane reputedly wrote the book partly based on his experience playing college football.  

“Also, I teach extensively on the latter 1800s, including the Civil War era of the 1860s as well as the Gilded Age of the 1890s, so I wanted to have a chance to talk about how those eras intersect,” Ingrassia continued. “In particular, I am interested in the ways that collective memory of the war was articulated around the turn of the century.” 

The discussion series — sponsored by the Department of English, Philosophy and Modern Languages — is open to those who either have or haven’t read the book, said Dr. Daniel Bloom, organizer and associate professor of philosophy. 

WT professors and guest lecturers lead the monthly discussions. 

The series began in 2011 and is traditionally held in person on the second Tuesday of the month at Burrowing Owl Books, 7406 S.W. 34th Ave., Suite 2B, in Amarillo. It shifted to Zoom during the Covid-19 pandemic; a return to in-person meetings is expected to occur in coming months. 

To register for the November discussion, email Bloom at [email protected]. 

The series is one way in which WT serves the region by offering engagement with a variety of literary and philosophical texts. Being a learner-centered university is a key principle of the University’s long-term plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World. That plan is fueled by the historic, $125 million One Westcomprehensive fundraising campaign. 

About West Texas A&M University 

WT is located in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of about 10,000 and offers 60 undergraduate degree programs, 40 master’s degrees and two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.