Eric Lorentzen, Associate Professor of English, gave the talk “Interdisciplinary British Literature in the University Classroom: Teaching the Unbearable Humanities as Part of a Critical STEAM Pedagogy” at the annual Virginia Humanities Conference at Shenandoah University. Dr. Lorentzen’s paper argued for the efficacy and exigency of approaching the study of literature at the university level through what he has called a “cultural studies pedagogy,” a methodology that strives for a student-centered interdisciplinary connection, through a STEAM paradigm that resists the new Utilitarianism prevalent in higher education today.
Subramanian Interviewed on New Hampshire Public Radio
Sushma Subramanian, assistant professor of journalism in the Department of English, Linguistics and Communication, was interviewed on New Hampshire Public Radio recently about an article (“Worse Than Tuskegee”) she wrote for Slate magazine, published in February. The article was about American researchers who infected Guatemalans with syphylis and gonorrhea 70 years ago and left without treating them. To listen to the interview, visit http://nhpr.org/post/41117-gerrymandering-legacy-disease-experiments#stream/0
To read Subramanian’s article in Slate, visit http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/cover_story/2017/02/guatemala_syphilis_experiments_worse_than_tuskegee.html
Johnson-Young Presents Research at Conference
Elizabeth Johnson-Young, Assistant Professor of Communication, presented research at this year’s Southern States Communication Association conference in Greenville, South Carolina. The paper, presented in the Communication Theory division, presented the results of a theoretical model to predict intentions to breastfeed. Combining the theory of planned behavior and uses and gratifications theory, the research provides a first test of a more thorough understanding of the impacts on breastfeeding intentions.
Legacy, Music of James Monroe Highlighted at Arts Club of Washington
Scott Harris, director of the James Monroe Museum, and Heidi Stello, editorial assistant for the Papers of James Monroe, provided the program for the annual Monroe Dinner at the Arts Club of Washington on Saturday, April 8. Their presentation, titled “James Monroe: Theme & Variations,” explored Monroe’s half-century of public service, and was supplemented by music drawn from pieces found in the 1818 music book belonging to Monroe’s daughter, Maria. Featured pieces included “Washington’s March at the Battle of Trenton,” “President Monroe’s March,” “Blue Eyed Mary,” and Jean Latour’s “A Favorite Air with 6 Variations.”
The Arts Club of Washington is housed in the I Street townhouse where Monroe lived during his tenure as Secretary of State and War from 1811-1817, as well as during the early months of his presidency, as the White House was undergoing continued repairs from the British attack on Washington in August 1814. The original music book, as well as Monroe’s 1803 Astor pianoforte, are held in the collections of the James Monroe Museum at 908 Charles Street in downtown Fredericksburg.
Aminrazavi is Scholar in Residence, St. Joseph’s College
Mehdi Aminrazavi, Professor of Philosophy and Religion, spent three days in March at St. Joseph’s College in New York as the Distinguished Scholar in Residence. He taught a number of classes, led discussion groups with the faculty and students and gave a keynote speech titled “Violence and Peace in Islam.”
Farnsworth Presents Research to Chinese Delegation
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently delivered a U.S. State Department lecture titled “Politics, Media and the American Political System” for Chinese journalists visiting the U.S. as part of the federal government’s Institute for International Education Visitor Leadership Program for International Journalism.
Gately Performs with the Sophisticated Ladies
Doug Gately performed with the National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Steven Reinke, on March 24 and 25 at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. The program, Sophisticated Ladies: 100 Years of Ella & Company featured singers Sy Smith, Capathia Jenkins, and Montego Glover celebrating the legendary music of the First Lady of Song, plus favorites made famous by Sarah Vaughn, Billie Holiday and Dinah Washington.
University Relations Welcomes Mike Breitenbach
University of Mary Washington welcomes Mike Breitenbach to the web services office in University Relations. Mike is director of web communications and the primary contact for campus-wide web content needs, while Curtiss Grymala, who is more involved in the web’s back end, will serve as director of digital technology. They will work hand in hand to accelerate the polishing and migration of our web pages.
Mike comes to us from a six-year stint at Germanna Community College, where he oversaw a redesign of that institution’s website and managed the cross-departmental implementation of WordPress. He brings experience in both marketing and advancement from his time at Germanna, serving most recently as assistant director of marketing, where he managed advertising, creative services and publications.
A graduate of Virginia Tech, Mike is currently working on his MBA at his alma mater, with an anticipated completion date of August. His undergraduate degree in English instilled in him a passion for liberal arts education that he carries to our institution.
Feel free to contact Mike or Curtiss with any web needs or questions. They can be reached at x2266 or by emailing webmaster@umw.edu.
Foss Publishes Book Review
Professor of English Chris Foss has published a 1,536-word book review of Sonya Freeman Loftis’ monograph Imagining Autism: Fiction and Stereotypes on the Spectrum as part of an exciting new initiative, The ALH Online Review Series X, from top-flight Oxford University Press journal American Literary History (ALH). You can check it out at:
LaBreche Presents at Renaissance Society of America
Ben LaBreche, Associate Professor of English, recently presented a paper at the Renaissance Society of America Annual Meeting in Chicago about “Political Theology and Marvellian Sexuality.” He was also a panelist on an RSA roundtable about political theology.