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Faculty Talks: Sparking Curiosity, Expanding Horizons

The DePaul College of Communication “Faculty Talks” series invites students to dive into a mix of exciting, cross-disciplinary topics led by passionate professors. Each lecture is a fresh take on something fascinating—from personal growth to pop culture to mastering communication—giving you insights that go well beyond the classroom!

Explore Upcoming Faculty Talks

The best part of our Faculty Talks series? The fantastic variety of topics that keep you curious and inspired! Explore the upcoming lectures below and check back regularly for new offerings.  
Sam Close

Exploring Naruto Fandom 

What Can Naruto Fandom Tell Us About Feminism?

<div class="ck-content"><p class="p1"><span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255);color:rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;display:inline !important;float:none;font-family:&quot;Rethink Sans&quot;, sans-serif;font-size:24px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;"><strong>Sam Close, Associate Professor, Media and Popular Culture</strong></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Times;font-size:medium;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;"><em>Naruto</em> (2002-2017) is a blockbuster Japanese anime and manga franchise about a young boy who wants to become a ninja and lead his village. It’s not the most obvious place to find conversations about feminism—in fact, Sakura, the lead female character in the series is often openly mocked by fans and continues to rank high on lists of the “most hated” anime characters ever.</p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Times;font-size:medium;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">But this Sakura hate doesn’t sit right with all fans. Join Professor Sam Close for a talk that explores what happens when fans—mostly female fans—take Sakura seriously. Whether you’re a <i>Naruto</i> fan or not, join us to learn about the power fans have in re-interpreting the narratives of popular culture.</p><h3>Wednesday, October 28, 2026 &nbsp;5:30 p.m. CDT</h3></div>

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Previous Faculty Talks

Previous Faculty Talks
Associate Professor Tony Deng

Myths of AI Data Centers

A Global Perspective

<div class="ck-content"><p class="p1"><span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255);color:rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;display:inline !important;float:none;font-family:&quot;Rethink Sans&quot;, sans-serif;font-size:24px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;"><strong>Tony Deng, Associate Professor, Public Relations and Advertising</strong></span></span></p><p class="p1">AI data centers are rapidly expanding across the U.S. But what does this means for our communities, from water and energy use to jobs and sustainability? Join Associate Professor Tony Deng to explore the facts, myths, and global perspectives shaping the future of AI infrastructure.</p></div>

College of Communication Academic Programs

If you love exploring deep topics like the ones featured in our Faculty Talks, check out our College of Communication programs. Built for storytellers and bold thinkers, they can unlock new paths in your professional journey!

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