Dr. Terryl Givens, Bostwick Professor of Literature and Religion,
discusses his new book, Parley P. Pratt: A Cultural and Intellectual Biography, published recently by Oxford University Press. Dr. Givens and his co-author, Matthew J. Grow, offer the first full-length scholarly treatment of one of the most important influences on the development of the Mormon Church.
Dr. Jeffrey Hass, Associate Professor of Sociology, discusses his new book, Power, Culture, and Economic Change in Russia: To the Undiscovered Country of Post-Socialism, 1988-2008. Utilizing cutting-edge theory and unique data, this book examines the role of power, culture, and practice in Russia’s story of post-socialist economic change, and provides a framework for addressing general economic change.
Dr. Tom Bonfiglio, William Judson Gaines Professor of Comparative Literature and Linguistics in the Department of Modern Literatures and Cultures, discusses his new book, Mother Tongues and Nations: The Invention of the Native Speaker. In this book, he examines the legacy of the metaphors “mother tongue” and “native speaker” by historicizing their linguistic development.
Dr. Laura Browder, Tyler and Alice Haynes Professor of American Studies, discusses her project and book, When Janey Comes Marching Home. The book features forty-eight self-posed photographs by Sascha Pflaeging, along with oral histories collected by Dr. Browder to provide a intriguing portrait of women at war. Women from all five branches of the military share their stories in this project – stories that are by turns moving, comic, thought-provoking, and profound. The book accompanies a photography exhibit that is on a national tour through Fall 2011 and Dr. Browder is also working a documentary film based on the book. For further information about the project, connect to the “Janey” website. Listen to the interview below.
Dr. Scott Allison, Professor, Department of Psychology and
Dr. Al Goethals, Professor, Jepson School of Leadership Studies discuss their recent book, Heroes: What They Do and Why We Need Them. Published by Oxford University Press, the book offers a stimulating tour of the psychology of heroism, shedding light on what heroism and villainy mean to most people and why heroes — both real people and fictional characters — are so vital to our lives. For more information on the book and project, connect to the “Heroes” blog.