Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, published her commentary “Xi Jinping Message to Compatriots in Taiwan signals change in policy,” in Asia Dialogue, the online magazine of the University of Nottingham Asia Research Institute. In her article, Larus claims that the commemorative speech does not constitute a sea change in China’s policy toward Taiwan, but does push the envelope in cross-Strait relations. Read the entire the article here: http://theasiadialogue.com/2019/01/24/xi-jinpings-message-to-compatriots-in-taiwan-signals-change-in-taiwan-policy/
Nabil Al-Tikriti Presents UMW at Education USA Office in Baku
On Dec. 22, 2018, Prof. Nabil Al-Tikriti presented the University of Mary Washington’s undergraduate and graduate admissions possibilities to a group of potential applicants at the Education USA office in Baku, Azerbaijan. Al-Tikriti is currently conducting historical research and advice as a Fulbright Scholar in Azerbaijan, for the 2018-19 academic year.
New Mediterranean Menu at Underground Cafe
This week the Underground Cafe rolled out a new Mediterranean menu featuring “Build Your Own” entrees with Beef, Chicken, Veggie or Falafel Kabobs along with a wide array of salads, appetizers and sides. The menu will still include Red Pepper Gouda Soup on Wednesdays, as well as fruit and yogurt smoothies and assorted desserts daily. Blackstone coffee has now been added to the menu, and beer on tap is available after 5 p.m.
Campus Dining invites UMW faculty, staff, and students to stop in for some free samples of the new Mediterranean dishes between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday, December 7th. For more information contact Rose Benedict at 540-654-2169.
Al-Tikriti Speaks at MESA Book Prize Panel
Associate Professor of Middle East History Nabil Al-Tikriti spoke about the selection process, and introduced two of the five book award winners for the Middle East Studies Association (MESA) Book Prize panel, entitled: “Celebrating Scholarship: MESA Book Award Winners Discuss Their Work.”
The book prize committee was chaired by Prof. Heather Sharkey of the University of Pennsylvania, while other committee members included Profs. Laleh Khalili of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies, Yaseen Noorani of the University of Arizona, and Nancy Stockdale of the University of North Texas. The competition logistics were managed by Sara Palmer of MESA.
For this competition, each committee member received roughly 127 books in April-May of 2018, and took charge of nominating 3-4 texts out of 25 books assigned to them by mid-June. In the second round, all committee members evaluated for final prize consideration the resulting 20 or so texts, by mid-August.
As the MESA website explains further, the following scholars received commendations and/or prizes:
Fatima Mernissi Book Award Winner: Attiya Ahmad, George Washington University: Everyday Conversions: Islam, Domestic Work, and South Asian Migrant Women in Kuwait. Duke University Press, 2017
Nikki Keddie Book Award Co-winner, Orit Bashkin, The University of Chicago: Impossible Exodus: Iraqi Jews in Israel. Stanford University Press, 2017
Nikki Keddie Book Award Co-winner, Kevan Harris, University of California, Los Angeles: A Social Revolution: Politics and the Welfare State in Iran
University of California Press, 2017
Albert Hourani Book Award Winner, Alireza Doostdar, The University of Chicago: The Iranian Metaphysicals: Explorations in Science, Islam, and the Uncanny, Princeton University Press, 2018.
Albert Hourani Book Award Honorable Mention, J.R. Osborn, Georgetown University: Letters of Light: Arabic Script in Calligraphy, Print, and Digital Design. Harvard University Press, 2017.
Spring Fitness Program Registrations Open Now
Registration is now open for the 3 fitness programs available to UMW employees: Early Bird Fitness, Lunch Bunch, and Lunchtime Yoga.
FREE WEEK = JANUARY 14-18, 2019.
Try these faculty/staff fitness classes before signing up for the 6-week program that will begin on January 21/22!
Each fitness program is 6 weeks long, meets twice a week, and costs $30 for the 6-week session.
Early Bird Fitness
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:30-7:15 a.m.
This class will incorporate strength and cardio training for beginners and regular exercisers. The first and last weeks will comprise of fitness assessments to measure progress after completing the program.
Lunch Bunch
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11:15-12 p.m.
Lunch Bunch is a low impact, total body fitness class for faculty and staff that will get the blood flowing, but not so much that you’re in need of a shower. It’s the perfect mid-day movement to help you feel successful and able to return to work in a jiffy.
Lunchtime Yoga
Mondays & Fridays, 12-12:50 p.m.
This lunchtime yoga class is designed to give faculty and staff headspace during busy workdays, as well as the energy needed to finish the day strong. Mats, blocks, straps, and instruction are provided.
Don’t forget – there are locker rooms with showers in Goolrick Hall, so you can shower and get to work on time!
Session 1 – $30
January 14-18 = Free Week!
January 21-March 1 = Session 1
Registration open now!
Session 2 – $30
March 11-15 = Free Week!
March 18-April 26 = Session 2
You can register and pay online or in person at the Fitness Center. If you register online, please log in using the button and your UMW credentials. Additionally, please make sure the “Spring 2019” semester is selected on the left menu to see the spring offerings. Please note: online transactions incur a 2.75% processing fee.
*If you don’t register for the program but would like to attend a class or two, you may pay the drop-in rate of $5 per class at the Fitness Center front desk with EagleONE, cash, or credit card.
Crosby Presents at National Communication Association Conference
Emily Deering Crosby, Assistant Professor of Communication, presented “Country Music as Safe Space: Xenophobia in Patriotic Music Fandom” on an international panel on xenophobia at the National Communication Association Conference on November 10, 2018. Her research analyzes white women’s online reactions to the collaborative performance of the Dixie Chicks and Beyoncé at the 2016 Country Music Association Awards just days before the 2016 Presidential election. Her analysis reveals key intersectional themes of territoriality, sexism, and racism enacted by xenophobic white women in their often specious pursuit of protecting white men’s patriotic Americana, signaling alliances that are largely reflected in recent voting trends.
McMillan Elected to International Archaeological Committee
Lauren McMillan, Assistant Professor in the Department of Historic Preservation, was elected to serve on the Nominations and Election Committee for the Society for Historical Archaeology, the lead organization for post-medieval archaeology in the world. This is a three-year position, from 2019-2021. The Society for Historical Archaeology is an international organization and is the largest scholarly group focused on the archaeology of the modern world (A.D. 1400-present).
Safe Zone Spring programs
Safe Zone, UMW’s LGBTQ+ education and advocacy program, is excited to announce that we will be offering several programs early in the Spring semester. The programs and descriptions are listed below.
Faculty/Staff Spring Book Club: We will be reading Alison Bechdel’s graphic novel called “Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic.” We will discuss the book during one session on Wednesday, Jan. 30 from 4 to 6 p.m. This program is open to all faculty and staff, but registration is required and space is limited. The book will be provided for free to the first 15 participants who register. To register, please email Laura Wilson, lwilson5@umw.edu.
Identity and Intersectionality Workshop: This is a repeat offering of the training that was held during pre-week in August. The workshop will be on Tuesday, Jan. 22 from 2 to 5 p.m. It is open to any faculty or staff interested in learning about and discussing issues related to social group identities. The topics will include privilege, power, oppression, prejudice, diversity, cultural competency, intersectionality, and allyship. The goal of the workshop is to encourage participants to engage in self-reflection in order to strengthen their role as an ally for students of all identities. If you are interested in attending this workshop, please email Laura Wilson at lwilson5@umw.edu. Space is limited and registration is required.
Basic Faculty/Staff Safe Zone Workshop: This workshop is geared toward faculty and staff who would like to be more informed allies to the LGBTQ+ community on our campus. The workshop will be on Wednesday, Jan. 23 from 8 to 10:30 a.m. It is an introductory workshop that focuses on terminology, issues related to privilege, increasing awareness and sensitivity, and how to support the LGBTQ+ population on campus. At the end of the workshop, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to sign the ally pledge, but it is not mandatory. If you are interested in attending this workshop, please email Laura Wilson at lwilson5@umw.edu. Space is limited and registration is required.
Rochelle’s Story Chosen for Inclusion in Anthology
Professor of English Warren Rochelle’s story “Mirrors,” a gay-themed retelling of “Beauty and the Beast,” was accepted by Cuilpress and will be published in their forthcoming queering romance anthology So You Think You Know Love?.
Dasgupta Presents at Popular Culture Conference
Shumona Dasgupta, Associate Professor of English, presented a paper on Bollywood and the Partition, entitled “Mothers of the Nation: Gender and Identity in Indian Partition Cinema,” at the 29th annual Mid-Atlantic Popular and American Culture Association conference in Baltimore (November 8-9, 2018). The paper has since been nominated for the MAPACA Donald Award, which recognizes an outstanding paper and presentation delivered at MAPACA’s annual conference.