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HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Feb. 9, 2012 – As part of the fourth annual Coker Humanities Undergraduate Conference, Professor J. Andrew Brown will give a lecture titled “Fantasizing Borges” at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24 in Davidson Auditorium.

Brown’s presentation about converging influences of Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges and best-selling author Neil Gaiman is free and open to the public and will be followed by an informal reception.

“We have found a speaker who promises a bit of Borges, a bit of Gaiman and a bit of cyberpunk,” said Associate Professor of English Rhonda Knight, who directs the Liberal Arts Studies program at Coker and chairs the Department of Communication, Language and Literature.

“Those who like art, history, science fiction, fantasy, mythology, computers, literature, comics, gaming, anime or related activities or are interested in learning more about authors who challenge the boundaries of genre will want to hear Dr. Brown’s talk,” she added.

Brown serves as associate chair of the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures and associate professor of Spanish and comparative literature at Washington University in St. Louis.

He earned his Ph.D. in Spanish at the University of Virginia. His research and teaching interests focus on issues of technology, science, global popular culture and Latin American cultural identity. He is the author of “Cyborgs in Latin America,” “Test Tube Envy: Science and Power in Argentine Narrative” and numerous articles on science, technology and Latin American literature and film.

Student presentations selected for the conference will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25 in Davidson Hall and are also open to the public.  Coker students presenting are Monte Jackson, Hartsville; Devan Williams, Seneca, S.C.; Holly Evans, Andrews, S.C.; Thomas Elliott, Lindenhurst, N.Y.; and Caitlin Johnson, Spartanburg, S.C.  Other presenters on Saturday include students from Francis Marion University, Queens University of Charlotte, Newberry College and the University of North Alabama.

For more information about the Coker Humanities Undergraduate Conference, which is hosted by the Coker College Department of Communication, Language and Literature, contact Assistant Professor of Spanish Mac Williams at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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