Michel de Montaigne’s exploration of the self heralds the emergence of modern subjectivity, says English professor Stephen Pender.

“His monumental text, The Essays, first published in 1580 and revised over the remainder of his life, interrogates passion and prejudice, food and fortune, medicine, and moral philosophy,” he says.

Students in Dr. Pender’s graduate seminar explore Montaigne’s thought and its legacy in a colloquium Tuesday, Dec. 13, entitled “Histories of Experience: Montaigne and the Essay.”

“In a series of engaging, wide-ranging, these students will explore the histories of experience, of selfhood, of death, with a focus on what is still the main genre of expression and evaluation in the human sciences: the essay,” Pender says.

The colloquium is free and open to the public from 3 to 7 p.m. in McPherson Lounge, Alumni Hall. Pender asks that those interested in attending notify him at spender@uwindsor.ca.