CMU becomes site for National Writing Project
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Michigan
teachers will benefit from professional
development in writing and technology through a
new site of the National Writing Project at
Central Michigan University. The establishment
of the Chippewa River Writing Project makes
Michigan the third largest network of National
Writing Project locations in the nation.
The National Writing Project, a federally funded professional development program with nearly 200 sites, provides over 7,000 programs for K-16 teachers across the country, reaching more than 135,000 participants in 2008. The CRWP was one of ten new sites established in the U.S. this year.
We aim to develop programs unique to CRWP that will distinguish us in the state and nation by addressing the issues that face us in northeastern Michigan. We will do so by utilizing technology for distance learning and building on the strengths of the English department and interests of local teachers," said Troy Hicks, a CMU English faculty member and director of the CRWP.
Hicks is optimistic about the impact the writing project site will have on teachers in the area.
My goal is to establish the CRWP as a site that partners with teachers in suburban and rural settings throughout northeastern Michigan, utilizing technology to both support their professional learning as well as to become a key component in their own teaching," Hicks said.
Along with the focus on technology, the site will differentiate itself from other sites across the state by partnering with other CMU departments and programs to create topic-specific workshops.
"The focus of individual sites is really based on the interest of teachers," said Bruce Penniman, former director of the Western Massachusetts Writing Project and one of two representatives from the National Writing Project who visited CMU as part of the CRWP's initial site development work in February. "As their interests develop, the strengths of the site develop as well. If a university has a particular strength, it is natural to focus on utilizing that program."
The first summer institute will be held from June 22 to July 16. Participating teachers will study successful classroom strategies for teaching writing, read and discuss research, and improve their knowledge of writing.
English professor chairs Jane Addams book awards committee
Tuesday, April 28, 2009The Jane Addams Peace Association today announced the winners of the 2009 Jane Addams Children's Book Awards. CMU English professor Susan Griffith is the committee chair.
The awards have been presented annually since 1953 for books that address themes or topics that engage children in thinking about peace, justice, world community, and/or equality of the sexes and all races. The books also must meet conventional standards of literary and artistic excellence.
"Planting the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangari Maathas," illustrated by Claire A. Nivola, is the winner in the Books for Younger Children category. "The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom" by Margarita Engle is the winner in the Books for Older Children category.
CMU history professor John Robertson provided the book review for the book "Silent Music: A Story of Baghdad," which received an honorable mention.
CHSBS Excellence in Teaching Award
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Political science professor Joyce Baugh received the 2009 Excellence in Teaching Award presented by the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The award recognizes a faculty member who goes above and beyond what is expected in creating exceptional learning opportunities for students.
A committee of faculty representatives from each department in the college chooses the winner. Dean E. Gary Shapiro and Associate Dean Pamela Gates surprised Baugh with the award presentation April 22 during one of her classes. <Read more>
Emeritus professor's new book retraces classic Colorado travel narrative
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
In
his new book, Following Isabella: Travels in
Colorado Then and Now, emeritus professor of
English Robert Root explores the landscape of
Colorado's Front Range by following in the
footsteps of nineteenth-century English author
and world traveler Isabella Bird.
Root retraces Bird's three-month journey through Colorado in 1873, which was documented in her book A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains. He interweaves an overview of Bird's life and work with regional history and his own travel narrative.
Like Bird, Root experiences his most fulfilling moments while exploring the mountains, including climbing Longs Peak and living alone in famed editor William Allen White's cabin.
The 320-page book, published by University of Oklahoma Press, will be available for purchase starting May 1. For more information, visit www.rootwriting.com/index.htm.
Root retired from CMU in 2004 and now teaches in the low-residency MFA program at Ashland University. His other recently published books include Landscapes with Figures: The Nonfiction of Place and The Nonfictionist's Guide: On Reading and Writing Creative Nonfiction.
CHSBS faculty honored during Book Recognition Event
Thursday, April 16, 2009Central Michigan University celebrated National Library Week by hosting its fifth annual Book Recognition Event April 16. The ceremony honors all CMU faculty, staff and emeriti who authored, co-authored, edited, co-edited, illustrated or translated books published during 2008. More than half of the books recognized were written or edited by faculty members from the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Click here to view the full list of CHSBS faculty members
Artist gives demonstration of Chinese brush painting
Thursday, March 26
Artist Louise Chan hosted a demonstration on traditional Chinese painting for students in foreign language department faculty member Lily Kalantar's Elementary Chinese II course.
She explained the techniques and equipment used to create Chinese brush paintings, where the artists paint with continuous brushstrokes of various lengths and widths and strive for creating harmony in their artwork.
Chan's brushes are made of round bamboo handles with animal hair on the ends. She mixed water with a small glob of black ink to paint two bamboo stalks--one dominant and one in the background--blowing in the wind. A single "lonely" stalk or two equal stalks would disrupt the harmony of the painting.
She created different shades of black and gray by increasing and decreasing the amount of water in the ink mixture. She finished the painting by adding white ink to create a snowy scene.
One lucky student who correctly answered a question about Chan's painting went home with the artwork.
Book
written by Ari Berk receives prestigious NCTE
honor
Friday, March 20A book written by English department faculty member Ari Berk was named a "Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts" by the National Council of Teachers of English.
"The Secret History of Giants" was one of only 30 titles selected by the NCTE's seven-member national committee of the Children's Literature Assembly for this exclusive annual list. The book was one of only five titles selected for the fantasy/folklore category.
To be selected, the books must focus on language, include unique uses of language or style, and/or encourage readers to respond or participate. For more information, visit childrensliteratureassembly.org/.
Hartshorne, Fattah receive top CMU research awards
March 17, 2009
The
President's and Provost's Awards are Central
Michigan University's most prestigious awards
for outstanding research and creative activity.
The President's Award recognizes the career
achievements of senior faculty members, while
the Provost's Award honors the accomplishments
of junior faculty members. This year's
recipients include two faculty members from the
College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral
Sciences.
President's Award: Tim Hartshorne, psychology
Tim Hartshorne is an international leader in research on CHARGE syndrome, which is the leading cause of congenital deaf-blindness. His work has been featured in numerous publications, and his presentations around the world have created awareness among the medical, psychological and educational communities about the complications of CHARGE. Hartshorne also is a past recipient of the Excellence in Teaching and Faculty Distinguished Service awards from CMU, making him only the second person to receive all three awards.
Provost's
Award: Moataz Fattah, political science
Moataz Fattah is a leading analyst in Middle Eastern politics and Islamic studies. His research focuses on the relationship between Islam, democracy and democratization, as well as the difference in economic philosophy between Islamic and Western countries. His book, "Democratic Values in Muslim World," was deemed one of the best academic publications in 2006 and has been widely adopted by professors and universities throughout the world.
ROTC
inducts new members into Hall of Fame
February 13, 2009The
Department of Military Science and Leadership
will induct two new members into the CMU ROTC
Hall of Fame during the annual military ball
Sat., Feb. 21 in Mount Pleasant. Lawrence George
Clayton,'58, and Theodore Hummel, '58, will be
recognized for their outstanding service to
Central Michigan University and the country.
Clayton served in the Army Intelligence Community and retired with the rank of Colonel after 30 years of service. He was awarded the Bronze Star and participated in the Iranian Hostage Rescue Mission. Read full bio.
Hummel served in NATO commands and on the Army General Staff in the Pentagon. He received the Bronze Star with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Legion of Merit. Read full bio.
Native American issues shape new CMU classes
December 12, 2008Graduate students will expand their knowledge of Native American issues through new classes at Central Michigan University. Beginning in January, a CMU graduate program will include an option for students to study Native American issues in modern culture.
The new classes, which are a course study within CMU's Master of Arts in Humanities degree program, are interdisciplinary and will include topics such as Native American history, contemporary culture, film, religion, indigenous literature and others.
"Contemporary issues affecting Native American tribes like tribal sovereignty and cultural education tend to take a back seat to Indian gaming," said Joseph Sowmick, spokesman for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. "It is refreshing to see CMU take a lead academic role in bringing these important contemporary issues into the classroom for proper discourse."
"This program has long been very attractive to people thinking beyond and through barriers," said Ronald Primeau, English professor and director of CMU's Master of Arts in Humanities. "By taking classes in literature, history, film, music and the other arts, students are able to study in a way that makes connections in new ways."
CMU also offers an interdisciplinary minor in American Indian studies. Along with requiring that students gain elementary competency in the Ojibwe language, the program teaches students about the histories and cultures of Native people of North America, with special emphasis on the ways in which racism has impacted these communities both historically and in the contemporary period.
"This program will give added opportunities to those who want to work with tribal communities or educate students on tribal sovereignty and culture," adds Colleen Green, director of Native American Programs at CMU.
More information about the Master of Arts in Humanities degree can be found at http://www.grad.cmich.edu/programs.htm.
