University of the Ozarks senior Katherine Martinez Bojorquez had the unique experience of presenting her senior seminar research paper in philosophy at the prestigious Mid-South Philosophy Conference at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn., this past weekend.
Bojorquez is a philosophy, sociology and business administration major from Honduras who will graduate in May. She presented her paper titled, “The Lolita Effect in Contemporary Culture,” in the undergraduate section of the conference.
Bojorquez said the experience was a bit nerve-racking
“There is nervousness involved in presenting in front of people who have doctorates or master degrees involving your topic,” she said. “However, while academics can seem intimidating, I cannot say I had a bad experience as the people I met were really nice and even approached me after my presentation to continue the conversation. It is very rewarding to know that a topic you put so much time and effort into was not only well-received but prompted further conversation and analysis.”
The research paper was a hermeneutical analysis of Vladimir Nabokov’s novel, “Lolita,” which centers around Humbert-Humbert, the narrator, and his obsession with 12-year-old Dolores Haze.
“The project consisted of interpreting the novel and its usage of the romantic language and also examining the morality of art and aesthetics using Hegelian and Kantian philosophy about art, aesthetics, and the ironical artist,” Bojorquez said. “It also examines the impact the ‘Lolita Effect’ has had in contemporary culture by analyzing using both sociology and philosophy pop culture elements involving music, cinematography, book covers, and social platforms such as TikTok.”
Bojorquez, who would like to pursue a career in academia, said she’s been working on the research project for about nine months and was inspired to do the paper because of how the book “influences the willingness an audience has to ignore the dark undertones inside the art.”
Dr. Nathan Eric Dickman, assistant professor of philosophy at Ozarks, as well as junior philosophy major Solange Avalo Martinez also attended the conference.
“The conference sponsors from the graduate philosophy program at the University of Memphis all complimented Katherine on the sophistication and depth of her research and constructive ethical criticism,” Dickman said. “Katherine presented the entire project in forty minutes, with fifteen minutes for audience questions and comments. Her conversation with the audience was so good that many lingered afterwards for more discussion with her. Over the two days at the conference, Katherine and Solange engaged with scholars and fellow students from across the U.S. on topics ranging from animal ethics, disabilities and gender studies, religious and philosophical theories of fatalism, and more.”
Topics: About, Academics, Philosophy