News & Blog

From megalomaniac leaders to mass suicides, the word cult is an overwhelmingly negative one in popular culture. This series digs deeper by considering what draws people to such groups, how charisma is constructed, and how boundaries between religions and cults are delineated.  Each movie will be followed by a facilitated discussion by a religion and cultural studies faculty member.

Jonestown: The Life and Death of the Peoples Temple
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
3:00pm – 5:00pm
John C. Hitt Library 223

Featuring never-before-seen footage, this documentary delivers a startling new look at the Peoples Temple, headed by preacher Jim Jones who, in 1978, led more than 900 members to Guyana, where he orchestrated a mass suicide via tainted punch.

Facilitated by Dr. Christy Flanagan-Feddon

TheTrials of Muhammad Ali
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
3:00pm – 5:00pm
John C. Hitt Library 223

The Trials of Muhammad Ali investigates its extraordinary and often complex subject’s life outside the boxing ring. From joining the controversial Nation of Islam and changing his name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali, to his refusal to serve in the Vietnam War in the name of protesting racial inequality, to his global humanitarian work, Muhammad Ali remains an inspiring and controversial figure.

Facilitated by Dr. Michael Mohammed Knight

Kumare
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
3:00pm – 5:00pm
John C. Hitt Library 223

A documentary about a man who impersonates a wise Indian Guru and builds a following in Arizona. At the height of his popularity, the Guru Kumaré must reveal his true identity to his disciples and unveil his greatest teaching of all.

Facilitated by Dr. Ann Gleig

Fall 2019 Movie series sponsored by the Religion and Cultural Studies Program and co-hosted by UCF Libraries.

Visit the Rosen Library to see our latest exhibit, We Are NSMH. This fun and colorful exhibit is curated by members of the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH). It showcases photographs and information about NSMH, which is one of the most active student groups on the Rosen campus.

Also included are applications, for those who wish to join the organization.

The We Are NSMH exhibit will run through the end of the fall semester at the Rosen Library.

Hispanic Heritage Month, established in 1988, runs from September 15 through October 15. It recognizes and celebrates the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans have made to the United States. Florida in particular has a strong Hispanic legacy including the oldest inhabited city in the U.S., St. Augustine, which was founded in 1565 by the Spanish. UCF will also celebrate our new status as a Hispanic-serving institution which means more than 25% of our enrolled students identify as Hispanic.

Join the UCF Libraries as we celebrate our favorite Hispanic authors and books. Click on the link below to see the full list, descriptions, and catalog links for the featured Hispanic Heritage titles suggested by UCF Library employees.

Featured Bookshelf: Hispanic Heritage

These 16 books plus many more are also on display on the 2nd (main) floor of the John C. Hitt Library next to the bank of two elevators.

Want to get the most out of the library resources in your field? Looking to brush up on your search skills? Join us online from 10:30-11:30, Tuesday, September 10, 2019 for the first Research Tips Tuesday of the semester! This month we will be exploring how to identify and locate the best resources for your major.

In this workshop, we will explore:

• How to identify and contact your subject librarian
• Using the library research guides to get your started
• Tips for identifying important resources in your field of study
• Using the advanced search features of subject databases to find what you need

RSVP for this, and other sessions this semester at: http://guides.ucf.edu/rtt

**UPDATE 09/02/19**

Hurricane Dorian has passed and all UCF campuses are now re-opened.

**UPDATE 09/02/19**

In anticipation of Hurricane Dorian’s expected impact on Central Florida, UCF is now closed. Due to the current path and timeline and the likelihood of severe weather into Wednesday, UCF will remain closed on Thursday, Sept. 5.

**UPDATE 09/01/19**

In anticipation of Hurricane Dorian’s expected impact on Central Florida, UCF is now closed. Due to the current path and timeline and the likelihood of severe weather into Wednesday, UCF will remain closed on Wednesday, Sept. 4.

UCF will assess conditions on campus and throughout the region following the storm’s expected impact. UCF will only reopen when it is safe to do so, and decisions also will consider other factors, such as damage and power loss throughout the region.

The university will share updated information regularly through its website and social media feeds.

This closure affects all UCF campuses and locations, including UCF Downtown, the Health Sciences Campus at Lake Nona, the Rosen College and all UCF Connect regional campuses.