Works-in-Progress Series
Jason Nice, “Faculty Obstruction of Curriculum Change at the University of Oxford, c.1515-20”
Friday, September 5th, 12:00 PM, Humanities Center, PAC 113
A discussion of chapter one of the forthcoming book, A History of Resistance to University Curriculum Reform - From the Renaissance through the Present (Palgrave Macmillan). The book examines key moments in the history of "general education" reform, and explains faculty obstruction as de facto resistance to changing student demographics.
Susanna Boxall, “Beyond Left and Right: A Public Health Ethics Analysis of U.S. Carceral Housing Policies”
Friday, October 3 at 12:00 p.m., PAC 113
Over the last decade, a fierce debate has erupted concerning carceral housing policies. The left has departed from tradition and embraced a housing model based on gender identity. The right has responded to these changes by demanding a return to sex-based housing. Using a public health ethics lens, this project aims to show that both models fail at adequately protecting the dignity and safety of vulnerable populations (i.e., women and transgender individuals).
Jens Van Gysel, “Language Shift and Revitalization
in Sanapaná”
Friday, November 7 at 12:00 p.m., PAC 113
Sanapaná is an Indigenous language of Paraguay, spoken by around 1000 people. Over the last 100 years, it has undergone a gradual process of language shift towards Paraguayan Guarani and Spanish: ever more children acquire these two socio-economically dominant languages in the home rather than their ancestral language. In this talk, I will discuss two ways in which this language shift process has influenced the phonetics and phonology of Sanapaná as well as present an ongoing documentation project aiming to result in the first dictionary of the language.
Elizabeth Davis, “Eco-Friendly Dyeing Techniques in Theatre”
Friday, December 5 at 12:00 p.m., PAC 113
This presentation explores the integration of environmentally friendly dye techniques in theatrical design, highlighting their use in the department of Music, Theatre and Dance’s November production of A Year with Frog and Toad. Focusing on eco-printing and eco-dyeing methods, the session will demonstrate how natural, sustainable processes can replace traditional fabric treatments. Attendees will gain insight into creative applications that reduce environmental impact while enhancing visual storytelling through organic textures and colors.