Tag: Scholarly books

Reparative therapies remain alive and well in some US states—Texas and Oklahoma included.

February 19, 2016

This billboard appeared in Dallas, Texas, in 2015. Despite widespread condemnation,reparative (also known as “ex-gay” or “reorientation”) therapies still exist in some states. BY TOM WAIDZUNASAssistant professor of sociology at Temple University I recently traveled to Texas to talk about my new book The Straight Line: How the Fringe Science of Ex-Gay Therapy Reoriented Sexuality. … More Reparative therapies remain alive and well in some US states—Texas and Oklahoma included.

On Climate Change War Games and "environmentality."

February 11, 2016

The military’s seizure of climate change and other environmental issuesis not as radically new as one might suppose.Image via Creative Commons. BY ROBERT P. MARZECAssociate professor of environmental and postcolonial studies, Purdue University In 1947, George F. Kennan, writing under the pseudonym “Mr. X,” published “The Sources of Soviet Conduct” in Foreign Affairs. The article … More On Climate Change War Games and "environmentality."

Shipwreck narratives are central to the Age of Discovery.

February 4, 2016

Shipwreck narratives, writes Steve Mentz, portray humanity caughtbetween divine fiat and the insufficient promise of human agency.The Storm on the Sea of Galilee, Rembrandt, 1633.Public domain image via Wikimedia Commons. BY STEVE MENTZSt. John’s University Humans love to tell stories that put humans at the center of things. In these fantasies, the Renaissance celebrates the … More Shipwreck narratives are central to the Age of Discovery.

What are the implications of philanthropic relationships in education?

February 1, 2016

BY AMY BROWNUniversity of Pennsylvania On a spring day in 2010, I interviewed Sebastian Thomas, head of the in-house nonprofit organization at the public New York City high school at which I taught for two years (referred to here as “College Prep”). Thomas was responsible for organizing the benefits, films, flyers, media, and other forms … More What are the implications of philanthropic relationships in education?

Mourning what matters: On David Bowie and Laquan McDonald.

January 21, 2016

BY MARGARET SCHWARTZAssistant professor of communication and media studies at Fordham University It seems everyone I know—and I mostly know a lot of aging, white, GenX hipsters—spent January 10th “mourning” David Bowie. I put it in quotes because I’m not sure we know what mourning really is. Or because what we did the day the … More Mourning what matters: On David Bowie and Laquan McDonald.

Recovering the fading histories of America’s postwar suburban churches.

January 13, 2016

American architect Edward A. Sovik designed the Riverside Bible Chapel in Story City, Iowa (1949). In her new book, author Gretchen Buggelnshows how architects and suburban congregations joined forces to workout a vision of how modernist churches might reinvigorate Protestantcommunity.Photos by Gretchen Buggeln. BY GRETCHEN BUGGELN Mention “postwar suburban church” and you are likely to … More Recovering the fading histories of America’s postwar suburban churches.

On global science fiction cinema and environmental catastrophe.

December 15, 2015

The French poster for the 2014 film Snowpiercer. Global science fiction cinemaand its common depiction of post-apocalyptic scenarios is increasingly resonatingwith current world events. BY JENNIFER FEELEY AND SARAH ANN WELLS Last week, Beijing resembled an apocalyptic scene from a science fiction film. Shrouded in thick smog, China’s capital city came to a standstill. For … More On global science fiction cinema and environmental catastrophe.

"Before the fence, before the checkpoints, before the border guards, there are the documents and the bureaucrats": On immigration and literacy.

December 10, 2015

BY CATHERINE VIEIRAAssistant professor of English at the University of Wisconsin, Madison The United States is a nation of immigrants. But immigrating here—or coming as a refugee—has never been easy. Refugees and immigrants take difficult, dangerous, and expensive journeys. And they also undertake paperwork. Lots of it. Potential immigrants and asylum seekers must present themselves … More "Before the fence, before the checkpoints, before the border guards, there are the documents and the bureaucrats": On immigration and literacy.

On agonistic democracy and Anonymous

December 7, 2015

Members of the hacktivist group Anonymous wear masks based on the filmV for Vendetta‘s character V, who had been influenced by Guy Fawkes.This mask appears at a 2012 protest in Montreal. Source: Wikipedia. BY MARCO DESERIISAssistant professor of media and screen studies at Northeastern University November was a busy month for Anonymous. On November 5, … More On agonistic democracy and Anonymous

What would an environmentalism that engages with the contemporary realities of migration look like? John Hultgren exposes connections between anti-immigrant politics and environmentalism.

December 1, 2015

The U.S.-Mexico border at California and Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.Here, author John Hultgren asks: What would an environmentalism look likethat engages with the contemporary realities of migration?Image via Creative Commons. BY JOHN HULTGRENLecturer in the Department of Politics and International Affairs at Northern Arizona University What do Donald Trump, Canadian environmental activist David Suzuki, and … More What would an environmentalism that engages with the contemporary realities of migration look like? John Hultgren exposes connections between anti-immigrant politics and environmentalism.