Fall 2002 Issue # 177
Du bureau de Pierre-Yves Mocquais
Lise Leger is organizing a Humanities Career Day to be held in March, a day that promises to be an exciting event for students and faculty. We will have more information available as time goes by. Please note that Virginia Tumasz will take over from Ann Levey during the latter’s sabbatical (January-June 2003). Anne McWhir has agreed to continue working on the development of the PH.D. programme in Humanities and it is my hope that we will be able to implement the new degree for the 2003-2004 academic year. I would like to conclude with a personal observation. On Saturday afternoon, October 19th, three unlikely individuals shared a stage: Aritha van Herk, Will Ferguson and Preston Manning. I went to listen to them as much because I am a fan of Aritha van Herk and Will Ferguson as because I was intrigued by the seemingly odd combination of these three people on a Wordfest stage. The Uptown Theatre main hall was filled to capacity. For ninety minutes laughter, cries of delight and applause filled the hall. Will Ferguson was as witty as ever, Aritha van Herk evoked with both humour and panache the quasi-epic discovery process that led to her most recent work, Mavericks, and I discovered in Preston Manning an amazing ability for self-deprecating humour, a quality which I have always found endearing. But beyond the anecdotes and the humour, what struck me was the profound “humanity” of these three individuals. Evoking their “humanity” may seem a platitude, but it is very much that sense of common humanity that brought them together and united them with the several hundreds of people gathered for the occasion. In our society influenced by essentially utilitarian pursuits, driven by the thirst for success, and where greatness is often measured in dollars and indicators of economic relevance, it is at our own peril that we ignore the prodigious human need for emotional and intellectual meaning and for the contentment that is derived from such pursuits that unite us all. That the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra be on the brink of collapse should be a sign to us all that something is indeed askew. Understanding human behaviour, institutions and cultures has never been more essential than it is now. Pierre-Yves Mocquais Dean
elcome to a new academic year. And a special welcome to Tom Wayman (English, Creative Writing), Noa Latham (Philosophy), and Suzette Mayr (Markin-Flanagan Writer in Residence). Congratulations also to members of the Faculty who have recently been recognized for their accomplishments in teaching and research: Susan Bennett, Brian Gill, Margaret Hadley, Rod McGillis, Vivienne Rundle, and Aritha van Herk. While we are talking about celebration, the Markin-Flanagan Programme is preparing its 10th anniversary celebration to be held next fall and already two prominent writers, Louis de Bernières and Dionne Brand, have accepted our invitation to come back to Calgary. But before that, from November 25 to 29 of this year, we will welcome Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka to campus. (See page 2) The Faculty of Humanities starts this new academic year with a renewed sense of purpose. Following on the heels of the Report from the Task Force on Planning and Implementation, the Dean’s Advisory Committee has identified three areas of strength which have attained or are about to acquire international prominence: creative writing, ethics and second language studies. Consequently, we are advertising for positions in English (Creative Writing and New Media Studies), in Philosophy (Ethics), as well as two positions in language studies, one in German and the other in French, Italian or Spanish, in direct support of the Language Research Centre. Appropriate space has now been secured for the Language Research Centre, which should settle in its new facility on the 4th floor of Craigie Hall D block by next summer. In addition, the Faculty has been given the green light to advertise for a Tier I Canada Research Chair in second language studies. On the subject of chairs, the proposed Chair in Business Ethics in the Department of Philosophy continues to gain momentum with the help of Nexen Inc. and the President’s office. Doug Walker has effortlessly slid into the position of Associate Dean (Development and Research) and has taken over a number of projects, among them developing our activities in post-degree continuous learning and preparing the criteria for unit (departmental) reviews. These reviews will serve as well the ongoing benchmarking needs and are designed to avoid unnecessary duplication of work. Ann Levey with the help and support of Natalie MacLean and
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Fall 2002
Inside This Issue:
Dean’s Message Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka Celebrating Excellence in Humanities, Awards and Scholarly Achievements
Academic Appointments and Promotions
Wole Soyinka: Nobel Laureate in Literature Public Reading: 7:30 pm, November 27th MacEwan Hall Everyone invited
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Markin-Flanagan Distinguished Writers Programme
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Language Research Centre
Appointments and Staff Changes, Markin-Flanagan Distinguished Writers Programme Humanities in High Schools In Memoriam Ownership of Research Material
igerian writer Wole Soyinka will visit Calgary November 25 to 29. A number of activities will be organized around his residency with the Markin- Flanagan Programme and the Department of English, so look for information to be posted on campus, in the media and at www.markinflanagan.com His life has been one of the riveting biographies of our time, as sketched by the following biographical notes. Wole Soyinka, the 1986 Nobel laureate in literature, is a playwright, poet, novelist, philosopher and critic. His experiences have brought him from death's door as a political prisoner in solitary confinement in Nigeria, to the halls of Harvard, Yale, Cornell, and Leeds and now Calgary. Soyinka's passion for the written word is nowhere more poignantly revealed than by his actions during his political imprisonment in the 1960s. He was denied reading and writing materials, but he manufactured his own ink and began to keep a prison diary,
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Wole Soyinka
Nobel Laureate 2002 Markin-Flanagan Distinguished Visiting Writer
written on toilet paper, cigarette packages, and in between the lines of the few books he secretly obtained. Each poem or fragment from the journal he managed to smuggle to the outside world became a literary event. His unique style blends traditional Yoruban folk drama with European dramatic form. His body of work forms one of the premier chronicles of Africa's political turmoil and its struggle to reconcile tradition with modernization. The Markin-Flanagan Distinguished Writers Programme provides the means to invite writers like Wole Soyinka into our community. Everyone with an interest in great literature and the great minds of our day is invited to attend.
Humanities Fund Development
A proposed Chair in Business Ethics in the Philosophy Department has gained momentum with Charlie Fischer, CEO and Randy Gossen, Vice President of Nexen Inc. leading the charge together with President Weingarten, Dean Mocquais and Dr. Kazmi, head of Philosophy. A small number of potential partners will be contacted to support the Chair at $200,000 per year for five years. This industry supported chair will be housed in Philosophy and the Chair-holder will work closely with Calgary’s energy sector, the Haskayne School of Business and other faculties. The Chair of Christian Thought is meeting with Christian denominational leaders and has built an active fund development committee that includes Sam Aylesworth (Chair), Phil Garber, C.A., Rev. Tom Melvin, Rev. Bob Pynn, Dr. Ken Shoemaker, Chair-holder Dr. Doug Shantz and Fund Development Director Natalie MacLean. Thank you to Trimac Corporation for providing funding for (W)rites of Passage 2003.
Celebrating Excellence in Humanities
President Harvey Weingarten, together with Provost and Vice President Ron Bond and Vice President Research Dennis Salahub led the Celebrating Excellence special event on September 30. Tonight we are celebrating the Stars of the university and their outstanding achievements in research and teaching. These academics exemplify the principles of our academic plan ‘Raising our Sights,’ and our common pursuit of quality in everything we do. Our goal is excellence. These outstanding academics show us the way. President Harvey Weingarten. Humanities was well represented; our award winners included: Susan Bennett, Professor, Department of English Recipient: University Professorship Brian Gill, Director of Computer Assisted Language Instruction, Department of French, Italian & Spanish and Associate Director, Language Research Centre Recipient: 2002 President’s Circle Award for Achievement in Teaching Excellence Margaret Hadley, Associate Head (Graduate Studies), Department of English Recipient: Students’ Union Teaching Excellence Award Roderick McGillis, Professor, Department of English Recipient: 2002 President’s Circle Award for Research and Creative Activity Excellence Vivienne Rundle, Assistant Professor, Department of English Recipient: Students’ Union Teaching Excellence Award Aritha van Herk, Professor, Department of English Recipient: 2000 President’s Circle Award for Research and Creative Activity Excellence Congratulations to these award winners on behalf of the entire Faculty of Humanities.
Awards and Scholarly Achievements
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ohn Plews who is in his second year of a SSHRC postdoctoral fellowship, was the recipient of the CAUTG Best Canadian Thesis Dissertation Prize in Germanic Languages, Literatures, Linguistics, and Culture in May, 2002.
Scriver Award to assist her work on Medical Ethics. This award is one of eight awarded nationally.
ermina Joldersma has been appointed Advisor to the President on Women’s Issues for a three-year term.
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laine Landry, Assistant Professor, Philosophy, won a Killam Resident Fellowship for Fall 2002 for her work on structure in mathematics.
his year’s co-recipients of the Rhoda F. Blythe Philosophy Undergraduate Scholarship are Jennifer Fellows and Harmony Slater. The prize is awarded on the basis of noteworthy philosophical aptitude and academic achievement. ayne McCready has been appointed Director of the Calgary Institute for the Humanities for a five-year term beginning Sept. 1, 2002.
od McGillis received the 2002 President’s Circle Award for Research and Creative Activity Excellence. im Ellis and Rod McGillis of the English Department have both been awarded Killam Resident Fellowships for the 2002-2003 year.
his year’s winner of the Graduate Studies Silver Medallion for Excellence in a Master’s Program is Helena Dunsmoor of the Department of French, Italian and Spanish. The Silver Medallion recognizes excellence amongst students graduating at the Master’s level from the U of Calgary.
ay Gamble and Larissa Lai, Ph.D. students in English received SSHRC funding. Seven students in English completed the PhD program and eight completed the MA between September 2001 and 2002.
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hilosophy student, Speranza Dolgetta, who is currently registered in a joint MD/PhD program, won a Jessie Boyd & Charles
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orne Macdonald received a 2002-2003 Humanities Institute Fellowship.
$25,000 Spanish Language Scholarships Inventor Applies Palm Pilot to Spanish
by Julia Klenin Wally Gardiner’s Palm Pilot Spanish Verb Learning Program is aimed at helping its users to learn conjugations of Spanish verbs. The main feature of the program is that it is easily downloadable from the Internet onto a Palm Pilot machine at no charge. The game/flashcard set-up of the program makes it a fun and efficient tool in learning Spanish. Its creator, Wally Gardiner, is a Humanities student at the University of Calgary where he is currently working on his BA in Spanish. This life-long learner also has a degree in Education and Computer Technology. To get acquainted with Wally Gardiner’s Palm Pilot Verb program log onto his website at: http://www.members.shaw.ca/gardinercomputer by Julia Klenin
The Mexico Field School program at the U of C is now being sponsored by the Government of Alberta. This past summer term, the International Field School Program received a travel grant of $25,000 with the focus on the field school in Jalisco, a Mexican state, of which Alberta is a sister-province. This grant marked the first stage of the twostage program, the second part of which will take place in the summer 2003, when the University of Calgary will host Mexican students for the Language and Culture experience here at the U of C. “We expect that stage two will also receive grant money from Alberta Learning,” said the Director of the Latin American Studies Program, Dr. Denise Brown. The program provides a unique cultural and learning experience for the U of C students, particularly those with Spanish Language and Latin American Studies majors. To learn more about the program, log onto the Latin American studies website: http://www.ucalgary.ca/LAS/main/frontpage.htm
Faculty of Humanities Academic Appointments & Promotions
Granted Tenure, effective July 1, 2003
Stephen Guy-Bray Jacqueline Jenkins Franco De Angelis Shu-ning Sciban Horst Mastag English English Greek and Roman Studies Germanic, Slavic and East Asian Studies Germanic, Slavic and East Asian Studies
Promotion to Senior Instructor Eileen Lohka French, Italian and Spanish Languages
Promotion to Instructor II Fresia Sanchez French, Italian and Spanish Languages Transfers from Instructor to Professorial Streams, effective July 1, 2002 Pamela Banting Donna Coates Shaobo Xie English English English
Promotion to Full Professor, effective July 1, 2002
Marc Ereshefsky Brian Gill Hermina Joldersma Philosophy French, Italian and Spanish Languages Germanic, Slavic and East Asian Studies
Promotion to Associate Professor, effective July 1, 2002
Jim Ellis Lorraine Markotic Nicole Markotic Hanne Sigismund Nielsen English Humanities English Greek and Roman Studies
New Appointments effective July 1, 2002 Noa Latham Philosophy Tom Wayman English Tinu Ruparell Religious Studies (January 1, 2003) Suzette Mayr Markin-Flanagan Writer-in-Residence 2002-2003
Peter Craigie Memorial Lecture
The 2002 Peter Craigie Memorial Lecture was presented October 28th by Professor Adele Reinhartz, Dean of Graduate Studies & Research, Wilfred Laurier University. Dr. Reinhartz is shown with Religious Studies Department Head, Eliezer Segal (left) and Wayne McCready, Director of the Calgary Institute for the Humanities. Dr. Reinhartz’ latest book, Befriending the Beloved Disciple: A Jewish Reading of the Gospel of John was the basis of her lecture titled ‘The Grammar of Violence in the Gospel of Love: Reading John in the 21st Century’.
Spanish Language Education Consortium Meeting Chair of Christian Thought September
Professor Marguerite Van Die, from Queen’s University, joins fellow guest lecturer, Professor David Marshall, at the September Chair of Christian Thought Symposium, “Religion and Public Life, The Canadian Experience.”
The Spanish Language Education Consortium Meeting drew language educators and their supporters from across the province to our campus on October 25. French, Italian and Spanish Department Head, Anthony Wall (left) is joined by John Sokolowski, Program Manager, International Languages, Alberta Learning, and Maria José Saladich, Education Attaché for the Embassy of Spain. Event co-organizers were Elizabeth MontesGarcés and Fresia Sanchez.
The Language Research Centre (LRC)
by Dr. John Archibald, Director
The Language Research Centre (LRC) is continuing its plan of community and government outreach. Members of the LRC made a presentation at the University of Alberta to demonstrate German Distance Education project that they have been developing. The audience included representatives of the Edmonton School Boards, University of Alberta, and Alberta Learning. The LRC is about to begin a research project funded by the Edmonton Board of Education on Chinese language speakers’accents under differing pedagogic approaches. Also the LRC will be presenting to the Alberta Governments’ Commission on Learning on December 2 on the role of language education in the Province of Alberta. We are assisting in the funding of a Visiting Speakers’ Series in the Department of GSEAS, and recently hosted a talk by Dr. Isabelle Kreindler, a professor from the University of Haifa in Israel on the topic of computer-assisted language learning. Dr. Monica Heller from the Franco-Ontarian Centre at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto visited in September to talk on the commodification of language. Next term we are bringing in
Dr. Shigeru Miyagawa from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to speak on Japanese language teaching and Japanese linguistics. We met with Maria Saladich, the Educational attaché of the Spanish Embassy in Ottawa to discuss ways to enhance Spanish language programs here in Calgary. Possible research projects related to the Spanish Bilingual programs were discussed. On November 22nd at 3:00, there is going to be a debate between members of the Department of Linguistics (including the Director of the LRC) and the Department of Philosophy. The resolution is that “The prime directive of linguists is to preserve endangered languages”. Dr. Ron Bond, Provost and Vice-President (Academic) will be the Speaker of the House. The debate will be held in the Moot Court at the Law School. On the space front, The LRC continues to move ahead with the development plans to house the state-of-the-art curricular laboratories and psycholinguistics lab that will make the LRC a showcase of research excellence.
Be Our Guest
Visit www.thinkhumanities.ca for ’Upcoming Events’ Have you made your donation yet?
www.fp.ucalgary/humanities for programs
Australian Radio Series Draws on U of C Talent
Professor Peter Toohey, Head of the Department of Greek and Roman Studies is involved with the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) radio series currently being taped at the CBC’s studio in Calgary. The series will explore Greek and Roman influence in our lives today. The first show titled “Looking Back to the Future” focuses on the Romans and the Future, and includes Professor Hanne Sigismund Nielsen. The series will be supported by a website, and broadcasts will be available in North America via ABC Radio Australia.
Calgary Society for Mediterranean Studies
Professor Jonathan Burgess of the University of Toronto (centre) gave the guest lecture for the October meeting of the Calgary Society for Mediterranean Studies. Prof. Burgess is joined by Martin Cropp and Reyes Bertolin, both of the Department of Greek and Roman Studies.
Spring Convocation 2002
Appointments & Staff Changes
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nglish Department—
David Oakleaf began a three-year appointment as Associate Head (Graduate Studies) on July 1, 2002. Margaret Hadley is the Associate Head (Undergraduate Studies) for 2002-2003. Barbara MacLeod retired December 2001.
Pamela Decker began as Department Administrator in December 2001. Christine Schill transferred to Graduate Science Education in the Faculty of Medicine; our new Graduate Program Administrator is Barbara Howe from the Faculty of Education; and Debra Litkowitch became a full-time student in August. Andrea Porter is the new Office Assistant.
Dean Mocquais presents Chancellor Emeritus Jack Perraton with a gift of books from Humanities at the June 2002 Convocation Celebration for Humanities Graduates and their families.
MARKIN-FLANAGAN DISTINGUISHED WRITERS PROGRAMME RESIDENCY OPPORTUNITY FOR WRITERS
The Markin-Flanagan Distinguished Writers Programme offers a unique opportunity for emerging Canadian writers to devote their time to writing and career development while living in a historic house in the heart of Calgary. Our past writers in residence include Eden Robinson, Laura Robinson, Richard Sanger, Peter Oliva, Larissa Lai, Rosemary Nixon, Richard Harrison, Ven Begamudrè and Roberta Rees. The 2002 – 2003 Writer-inResidence is Suzette Mayr. We are now accepting applications for two separate residencies: October 15, 2003 to August 15, 2004 and October 15, 2004 to August 15, 2005. The Markin-Flanagan Programme offers this residency in the Faculty of Humanities (Department of English) at the University of Calgary for emerging Canadian writers as a benefit to regional and local communities. This ten-month appointment offers a salary and a residence in the John Snow House located in the vibrant Lower Mount Royal district of Calgary. This historic house was previously owned by John Snow, a well-known Canadian artist, and has been home to such prestigious writers as Timothy Findley during his time as Markin-Flanagan Distinguished Visiting Writer. The house was recently renovated, is fully furnished and equipped. It has two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a writing studio. Candidates should have between one and four published books, and preferably, but not necessarily, hold a university degree. The residency will include time for writing, manuscript consultations, public presentations, assistance with hosting other visiting writers, and related duties. Applicants should submit: a curriculum vitae, published books, a statement of their interest in the residency, a single page description of projects to be undertaken during the residency, and three letters of reference. Interested writers should send their application by mail or courier to: Dr. Pierre-Yves Mocquais, Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Room SS 1346, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4 DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS December 16,2002. The University of Calgary respects, appreciates and encourages diversity. Further information: Leigh Hurst (403) 220-8177, clhurst@ucalgary.ca
Suzette Mayr discusses writing with Larissa Lai at Mayr’s launch of her Markin-Flanagan residency, at the Engineered Air Theatre on September 26, 2002.
Humanities in the High Schools
Humanities has two programs for grade 12 High School students: (W)rites of Passage is a mentorship program that runs January to April. Trimac Corporation is a sponsor for this year’s program. ‘Great Books, Great Languages, Great Technologies’ is a four-week summer program supported by the Delmas Foundation of New York.
2002 (W)rites of Passage participants with organizers Professors Margaret Hadley and Nina Van Gessel.
High School participants in the ‘Great Books, Great Languages, Great Technologies’ summer school program offered by Humanities. Professors Ken Brown (left) and Reyes Bertolin (centre) organized the summer school that focussed on Homer’s Odyssey this year.
Spring Convocation 2002
Ev and Darol Wigham, long-term supporters of the Faculty of Humanities are recognized by Dean Mocquais at the June 2002 Convocation Celebration for Humanities graduates and their families.
Among the graduating students recognized at the June 2002 Convocation Celebration were (left to right): Willow Keeling, Carla Rae Haskewich and Melanie Marie Thibault.
Luke Bridgewater (1976-2002)
In the early afternoon of October 2, 2002, Luke Stemann Bridgewater passed away at the University Hospital in Edmonton. He was 26 years of age. Luke graduated in Electrical Engineering at the U of C but subsequently switched to Humanities, where he majored with great distinction in Greek, Latin, Ancient History and Literature. He was in the thesis year of his MA. He was a young scholar of very great promise. He is and will be keenly missed by all of us in the University. Luke touched very many of our lives during the course of his University career. Our sense of loss cannot be matched, however, by that of his parents, Grete Bridgewater and Dave Yates, Ted and Barb Bridgewater, of his brother and sister-in-law, Warren and Miranda Bridgewater, of his sister Laura Matalas, and of his grandparents, Bert Bridgewater and Else Petersen. Luke will be remembered by his friend Jessica Zaytsoff, as well as his other close friends and colleagues in Greek and Roman Studies and elsewhere within the University community. In memory of Luke Bridgewater, there will be a scholarship fund set up at the University of Calgary to assist future students in following the path Luke was taking himself. Contributions may be directed to The Luke Bridgewater Scholarship Fund c/o University of Calgary, Development office, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4.
In Memoriam
2002 Paget-Hoy Speaker Series
W. C. P. C.
Professor Aritha Van Herk joins guest speaker Professor Catherine Belsey of Cardiff University and donor Carolynn Hoy at the 2002 PagetHoy Speakers Series held on September 9. This annual lecture is in memory of Bob Paget.
Ownership of Research Material
by DOUGLAS WALKER, Associate Dean (Development and Research) Questions occasionally arise concerning the ownership of material purchased with research or trust funds provided or administered by the University. Such funding includes that made available by a granting agency (SSHRC, NSERC, etc.) the Professional Expense Allowance (PEA), Career Development Awards administered by the Faculty, University Research Grants Committee (URGC) awards, Starter Grants for new faculty, ad hoc support, and no doubt others. The material in question typically involves computing or recording equipment as well as books. In any event, the simple answer to the question of ownership is straightforward: Ownership of this material
The Western Canadian Philosophical Association (W.C.P.C.) Conference was held at U of C October 25 to 27. There were 127 registrants at the three day conference including Philosophy Department Head, Ali Kazmi and Professor Bernard Linsky, Philosophy Department Head, University of Alberta. Conference Organizers: Ann Levey, Elizabeth Brake and Mark Migotti.
rests with the University, not with the individual grant holder or purchaser. Technically speaking, in fact, off-campus use of such equipment requires authorization, a form which is available on the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) website under “Policies and Procedures” (Authorization of Off-Campus Use of Equipment Form), with further details found on the Risk Management website:
http://www.ucalgary.ca/UofC/departments/RISK/
Those with questions concerning these matters are invited to discuss them with the Associate Dean (Development and Research).
Please join us at any of our lectures; update personal information to 6th Floor Craigie Hall, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1N4 or alumni@ucalgary.ca
Alumni