S2E15 Elizabeth Shesko - Oakland University

Our guest today is the enthusiastic Dr. Elizabeth Shesko, who is an Associate Professor of History at Oakland University in Oakland County, Michigan. Liz specializes in Latin American History with a special interest in military service and conscription in Bolivia. She received her AB in Spanish and English at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, and went on to earn a PhD in History from Duke University. After completing her PhD, Liz was a postdoctoral research associate and Andrew W. Mellon Fellow in History and Latin American Studies at Bowdoin College and also taught at an American School in Guatemala. Her first book, Conscript Nation: Coercion and Consent in the Bolivian Barracks, was published by the University of Pittsburgh Press. Her work has also appeared in edited volumes as well as the Hispanic American Historical Review and International Labor and Working-Class History.

Liz has held numerous Foreign Language and Areas Studies (FLAS) Grants for Spanish, Portuguese, and Aymara. She is a frequent presenter at the meetings of the Latin American Studies Association, and the American Historical Association, among many others. 

Join us for a fascinating chat with our first Latin Americanist! Liz discusses language, working in Bolivian archives, the Chaco War, eating guinea pig, the faux pas question of Butch Cassidy's whereabouts (thanks for that, Bill!), and the future of Post-Coach K Duke basketball! And just for Liz - a shout-out to Woodpile BBQ Shack in Clawson, Michigan!

Rec.: 09/02/2022