Celebrating 40 years!
Forty Years & Beyond
Join us in celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Swenson Center!
We opened our doors in September 1981, and have developed into the leading archives, library, and research institute for the study of Swedish-American history and relations.
Our initial focus was on Swedish migration to North America and the experiences of Swedish immigrants and their descendants. Although this history still remains central, we have now expanded our mission to include broader aspects of Swedish-American relations.
In our 40th year, join us as we explore what this focus on Swedish-American relations means for the Center and the field.
Special Anniversary Event
Saturday, May 7, 2022
Symposium
The Migration and Beyond:
New Perspectives on Swedish-American Relations
This symposium highlights the new developments in our field. We have invited four younger scholars—two Americans and two Swedes—to join us in Rock Island. They will talk about the work they are doing and help us understand the new directions in the field of Swedish-American history and relations.
Saturday, May 7, 2022
1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Olin Auditorium, Olin Center, Augustana College
This program is free and open to the public.
Registration is suggested, but not required.
Opening remarks by Dag Blanck, Swenson Center and Ingrid Ask, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Sweden, Washington, D.C.
Erika Jackson
Vikings and Dumb Blondes: The Construction of American Discourse on Nordic and Scandinavian Whiteness
Kim Fahlstedt
The Swedish Peril! Warner Oland and the Birth of Film Propaganda
Coffee break
Adam Hjorthén
Beyond Family: Swedish-American Genealogy, Business, and Cultural Diplomacy in the Twentieth Century
Saniya Ghanoui
An American Myth: Birth Control, Sex Education, and the Creation of the Swedish Sin
Concluding remarks by speakers and Dag Blanck
Schedule of events
Times are approximate
1:00 – 1:10 p.m.
1:10 – 1:50 p.m.
1:50 – 2:30 p.m.
2:30 – 3:00 p.m.
3:00 – 3:40 p.m.
3:40 – 4:20 p.m.
4:20 – 4:30 p.m.
Following each talk will be the opportunity for discussion with the speakers.
You are welcome to come and go as you are able/interested.
This program is co-sponsored by the Scandinavian Studies Program of the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at Augustana College, through a grant from the Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation.
Moderator
Dr. Dag Blanck
Director, Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center, Augustana College
Professor and Director, the Swedish Institute for North American Studies, Uppsala University
More.
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Dag Blanck will give opening remarks on the Center's 40th anniversary, the new direction of Swedish-American relations, and direct the symposium Q&A and closing remarks.
Speakers
Dr. Erika Jackson
Professor,
History Department,
Colorado Mesa
University
More.
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Vikings and Dumb Blondes: The Construction of American Discourse on Nordic and Scandinavian Whiteness
Dr. Kim Fahlstedt
Post-doc scholar, Department of Cinema Studies,
Stockholm University
More.
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The Swedish Peril! Warner Oland and the Birth of Film Propaganda
Dr. Adam Hjorthén
Senior Lecturer,
Swedish Institute for North American Studies,
Uppsala University
More.
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Beyond Family: Swedish-American Genealogy, Business, and Cultural Diplomacy in the Twentieth Century
Dr. Saniya Lee Ghanoui
Program Director,
Center for Women’s Health and Human Rights,
Suffolk University, Boston
More.
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An American Myth: Birth Control, Sex Education, and the Creation of the Swedish Sin
Open House
Explore an exhibit of library/archives collection highlights from the last 40 years while mingling with symposium participants and guests.
Saturday, May 7, 2022
4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Swenson Center, Denkmann Hall, Augustana College
This program is free and open to the public.
Registration is suggested, but not required.
Dinner
Join us for a celebratory dinner following the symposium and open house.
Saturday, May 7, 2022
6:00 p.m.
Gävle Rooms, Gerber Center, Augustana College
Advanced registration is required.
Please register by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, May 2.
Program
40th Anniversary comments from Dr. Doug Nelson, Chair of the Swenson Center's advisory committee
Menu
All entrees are served with salad, seasonal vegetables, dinner rolls, and dessert.
The cost of your meal includes one drink ticket.
Chicken Breast Caprese ($32)
Airline chicken breast stuffed with basil and seared to golden brown, finished with fresh mozzarella cheese and sliced tomato, drizzled with a sweet balsamic reduction served with rice pilaf.
Iowa Chop ($32)
With sage and cranberry dressing topped with cranberry demi, and served with roasted new potatoes.
Sesame Crusted Tofu with Muchim Pickles (vegetarian) ($32)
Tofu crusted in black and white sesame seeds and baked golden brown, topped with house-made muchim pickles and served with rice pilaf.
