Learn about the 'History of Sexuality and Religion' April 19 at College of DuPage

College of DuPage will host a virtual presentation, "The History of Sexuality and Religion: Exploring Lutherans and Sex in the 1960s and 1970s," from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 19, as part of the annual Carter D. Carroll Excellence in History Awards ceremony.

Since its inception in 1994, the award honors students for excellence in writing achievement in the field of history and is named for Professor Carter D. Carroll, a founding COD faculty member who taught history at the college for more than two decades.

This year's award winners are Amy Rubio, first place, for her paper, "The Act of Killing in a War," and second place winners Isabella Spinelli for her paper, "Stigmatization and Health Crises," and LisaMarie Woody for "Broken from the Beginning."

During the free program, COD History Instructor Elisabeth Annice Unruh will discuss the research process for examining the ways in which Lutheran beliefs and attitudes about sexuality developed over time, and ultimately helped shape dominant cultural norms and contemporary sexual values and practices in the 1960s through the 1970s.

Unruh earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with a triple major in history, theology and women's studies from Concordia University Chicago. She has a master's degree in history from Northern Illinois University and holds graduate certificates in women's studies, LGBT studies and college teaching. She currently is pursuing her doctorate in U.S. history at Northern Illinois University.

Prior to the lecture, the college will recognize this year's winners of the Carter D. Carroll Excellence in History award featuring opening remarks by COD President Dr. Brian Caputo and Liberal Arts Dean Sandra Martins.

For more information, and to receive a link to attend the event, contact Maria Ritzema at ritzemam@cod.edu.