Fourth year King's student Curtis Sell recognized for award-winning essay at the National Women's Studies Association's 2015 Congress conference.
June 16, 2015
By Nicole Bullock
The National Women’s Studies Association (Women's and Gender Studies et Recherches Féministes) awarded Curtis Sell, a fourth year philosophy student at King’s, with second prize in their national undergraduate essay contest on Sunday, May 31st. The award was presented at the Congress 2015 conference at the University of Ottawa. Sell was also asked to speak about his award-winning essay.
His essay titled “The Political Body: A Foucauldian and Butlerian Analysis of Wrongful Birth Litigation’s Regulation of Life”, was comprised of the work of philosophers Michel Foucault, and Judith Butler, to examine the impact of Canadian wrongful birth litigation’s on people with disabilities. Specifically, Sell argued that wrongful birth litigation regulates what it means to have a life, whose lives are considered livable, and grievable.
Essay submissions were open to all undergraduate students enrolled in Women’s Studies, and Gender Studies courses in Canada. In order to submit a paper, a letter of nomination was required by a professor. Western’s Philosophy and Women’s Studies and Feminist Research Associate Professor, Dr. Helen Fielding nominated Sell for the award. Sell co-won second prize with a student from the University of Winnipeg.
Sell is entering his fourth year of an Honors Specialization in Philosophy and Minor in Women’s Studies at King’s and Western. Along with his dedication to academia, Sell is also very involved in the King’s community. Sell has been President of the King’s Philosophy Students Association, KUCSCs Philosophy representative, and an employee of The Write Place.
Congratulations Curtis!