700 Years Later, and Dante's Work is as Relevant as EverWhy do Dante’s works continue to be influential 700 years after his death? This conference celebrates the enduring legacy of the poet’s oeuvre, while at the same time interrogating the problematic aspects of engaging with works that hold privileged positions in the Western canon. On the one hand, Dante’s most renowned work, the Comedy (“Divine” was added by scholars after the author’s death), has been attributed with the power to transform readers’ lives. This conference celebrates coexisting and sometimes contradictory aspects of Dante’s legacy: the fact that his works have broad appeal, that people from all walks of life and educational backgrounds can understand them, find value in them and be inspired by them. And the fact that, from the moment these works became public, scholars were writing commentaries on diverse aspects of their influences, ranging from the most esoteric details to widely disseminated ideas.
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STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
Inside and outside of the classroom, Syracuse University students created pieces of artwork over the school year that are inspired by Dante's collection of literary work and philosophy. These artworks includes poetry, paintings, essays, podcasts, short films, presentations, songs, and any other creative ideas developed by students that are inspired by this influential man’s oeuvre.