This inaugural episode of the Words of Wesleyan features Hirsh Sawhney, Associate Professor of English, and Shlok Sharma '23, prospective computer science major.
In the first half of the episode, we hear Professor Sawhney read a segment of "The Buddha of Suburbia," by Hanif Kureshi, and talk to him about South Asian identity, teaching, and life-giving writing.
In the second half, Shlok Sharma reads "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams, and we have a conversation about humor, computer science stereotypes, and feeling heard by art.
Here's what Shlok had to say about why he nominated Professor Sawhney: "I was part of Professor Sawhney's class last year where we examined different South Asian texts and visual pieces and understood how to specifically analyze them in the broader context of Indian history, and how we understand the country today. In that class, Professor Sawhney always made sure to push me as both a reader and (even more specifically) a writer, and he showed me how to think more analytically and rigorously about material I had taken for granted."
Thanks to Shlok and Professor Sawhney for their appearances on this episode!
The Words of Wesleyan is produced by the Shapiro Center for Writing at Wesleyan University.
Host: Anna Tjeltveit
Creators: Anna Tjeltveit, Amy Bloom, Stephanie Weiner
Theme Music: "Let Me Make It Clear" by Wesleyan Professor of Music Jay Hoggard
