Natalie Zemon Davis explores forms of cultural mixture in which mental landscapes, described as hybridities rather than polarities, are at center stage. Her work revolves around contemporary issues of multiculturalism, identity, and how historians conceptualize these issues.

In this lecture, she follows Leo Africanus, a 16th-century traveler born in Granada, Spain. First moving to Morocco with his family upon the expulsion of Jews during the Spanish Inquisition, he then made the pilgrimage (haj) to Mecca, was captured by pirates, and taken to Rome where he wrote "Descriptions of Africa."

Cosponsored by: Office of the Chancellor, Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and the Graduate College, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, The Council of Deans, The Center for Advanced Study, George A. Miller Endowment, George A. Miller Committee, Peggy Harris Memorial Fund, Department of Anthropology, Department of English, Department of French, Department of History, Women's Studies Program