Languages, Literatures and International Studies - NMU Events and Announcements

Languages, Literatures and International Studies

Poetry Without Borders will take place again this semester at the UNITED Conference on Wednesday, March 25, at 5:30 pm in the Northern Center. Join the Department of Languages, Literatures, & International Studies in celebrating the linguistic diversity of the NMU community! Students, faculty, staff, and community members will present poetry in languages other than English. We will provide English translations, refreshments, and appetizers. 

Please contact Dr. Anna Zimmer at anzimmer@nmu.edu with any questions.

Languages, Literatures and International Studies

Join us for a conversation about the series El Eternauta, an adaptation of the Argentinean graphic novel! The presenter at this event is Natalia Ginzburg, who graduated from the National University of Buenos Aires with a degree in Literature. She is a journalist specializing in digital transformation and transmedia storytelling. We recommend watching some episodes from the series on Netflix before attending. 

Event details: Wednesday, February 25th at 3 pm EST. This event will be in Spanish over Zoom. 

Here is the Zoom link: https://nmu.zoom.us/j/97945191059?pwd=0pf63rBZirmgU60eekNXo2JOxhm2fz.1

Contact llis@nmu.edu for more information. See you there!

Languages, Literatures and International Studies

Poetry Without Borders will take place again this semester at the UNITED Conference on Wednesday, March 25, at 5:30pm in the Northern Center. Join the Department of Languages, Literatures, & International Studies in celebrating the linguistic diversity of the NMU community. Students, faculty, staff, and community members will present poetry in languages other than English. We will provide English translations, refreshments, and appetizers. 

Please consider presenting, attending, and spreading the word to poetry fans and polyglots! You can submit your poem and English translation via this GoogleForm by 5pm on March 9.

New this year: Since Poetry Without Borders has gained popularity, both amongst presenters and listeners, we'd like to urge presenters to propose poems thematically connected to the 2026 UNITED Conference theme: Rest: Reclaiming Power Through Resilience & Resistance. More information about the theme can be found on the UNITED website. Our hope is that this signature event at UNITED will be even more tightly connected to the thematic discussions occurring during the rest of the conference.

Also new this year: In order to foster discussion and community building following the presentation of poems, the Office of Opportunity, Empowerment, and People will provide refreshments and light appetizers. We hope you'll join us!

Languages, Literatures and International Studies

Come join us for sledding while the sun sets! Mark your calendars for Thursday, February 19th, from 6-7 p.m. on Whitman Hill. Hot cocoa will be available in Whitman Commons to warm up. Bring your sleds and snowpants, and we’ll see you there! (A small quantity of extra sleds will be available.)

This event is sponsored by the LLIS Department, School of Education, and Center for Native American Studies. Contact the LLIS Department at llis@nmu.edu for more information.

Languages, Literatures and International Studies

Join us for a fun and creative writing workshop with a focus on poetry and the environment led by poet Mara Pastor! This event is sponsored by the Department of Languages, Literatures, and International Studies, the English Department, NMU Honors Program, and the College of Arts & Sciences. 

Dr. Mara Pastor is the author of six full-length poetry books in Spanish, as well as two bilingual chapbooks. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan and is currently a professor and the Academic Leader of The Creative Writing Program and Literature Program at the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan. Her book Deuda Natal (The University of Arizona Press, 2021, translated by María José Giménez and Anna Rosenwong) won the 2020 Ambroggio Award from the Academy of American Poets. Deuda Natal takes us from the aftermath of Hurricane María in Puerto Rico to the communal efforts to rebuild, reconnect, and imagine ways to fight “disaster capitalism” (Naomi Klein, 2018). It contains reflections on immigration, returns, debt, feminism, colonialism, and ecological devastation while guiding us toward grassroots and intimate alternatives.

Languages, Literatures and International Studies

Join us for a Spanish and English reading of Mara's Pastor's Deuda Natal (2021), followed by Q&A with the author. Mara will be focusing on “Paraísos perecederos / Perishable Paradises.” This event is sponsored by the Department of Languages, Literatures and International Studies, the English Department, the NMU Honors Program, and the College of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Mara Pastor is the author of six full-length poetry books in Spanish, as well as two bilingual chapbooks. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan and is currently a professor and the Academic Leader of The Creative Writing Program and Literature Program at the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan. Her book Deuda Natal (The University of Arizona Press, 2021, translated by María José Giménez and Anna Rosenwong) won the 2020 Ambroggio Award from the Academy of American Poets. Deuda Natal takes us from the aftermath of Hurricane María in Puerto Rico to the communal efforts to rebuild, reconnect, and imagine ways to fight “disaster capitalism” (Naomi Klein, 2018). It contains reflections on immigration, returns, debt, feminism, colonialism and ecological devastation while guiding us toward grassroots and intimate alternatives.

Languages, Literatures and International Studies

The NMU French Program Presents: A Free French Baking Seminar, featuring Lisette LaFave, BabyCakes Pastry Chef!
Chef Lisette will share her presentation on classic French baking, including her techniques in creating croissants, baguettes, macarons, and brioche! Samples will follow the presentation.

Languages, Literatures and International Studies

Join us at the UNITED Conference for a fun evening of poetry to celebrate the linguistic diversity of NMU! Northern students, faculty, and community members will present poems in languages other than English. (English translations will be included.) Snacks and refreshments will also be provided.

Any questions? Please contact Dr. Anna Zimmer at anzimmer@nmu.edu.

Languages, Literatures and International Studies

Whether you’re learning another language or speak a language other than English, we encourage you to present at Poetry without Borders on Tuesday, March 18th! Partnered with the UNITED Conference, it’s a fun event to present your favorite poetry & hear wonderful prose in a multitude of languages. To submit, check out the link below. The submission deadline is Monday, March 10th.

Submission Form

Any questions? Contact Dr. Anna Zimmer at anzimmer@nmu.edu.

Languages, Literatures and International Studies

Join the Department of Languages, Literatures, and International Studies for a fun evening with pizza and games! Our faculty and advisors will be on hand to answer any questions about our programs and upcoming summer + fall courses. We hope to see you there!