AMERICAN STUDIES SPRING 2010 NEWSLETTER

Our Department A Word from Daniel A. Nathan, Chair

tions and remembrances of the Civil War in several different has decided to participate in the college’s early mediums, while Mary Lynn’s class studied natural and unnatural retirement program. It’s hard for me to imagine disasters, like the Revolutionary War Smallpox Pandemic, the this Department without Nancy. For nearly three Chicago Fire, the San Francisco Earthquake, and the Great Bos‐ decades, Nancy has provided sterling academic ton Molasses Flood of 1919. All of these courses emphasized support to American Studies and several other reading critically, thinking historically, practicing interdisciplinar‐ programs: Liberal Studies, Latin American Stud‐ ity, acknowledging diversity, and making connections. That’s ies, and Neuroscience. Extremely knowledgeable, what we do, after all. technologically sophisticated and creative, re‐ sponsible and supportive, Nancy has long been a Greetings American Studies folks: In addition to the good work happening in American Studies highly respected member of the Skidmore com‐ classrooms, the Department also sponsored numerous field My first Chair’s letter. Here goes. The 2009‐2010 munity. She has served as an important mentor trips. The following is a partial list. In the Fall, Mary Lynn took academic year was productive yet bittersweet. The for dozens of administrative staffers and pro‐ her Scribner seminar to Hancock Shaker Village in Massachu‐ department accomplished a great deal and is in the vided invaluable service to faculty and students. setts and to the Saratoga Battlefield. That same class also par‐ process of some challenging transitions. She has been a pillar of strength and consistency, ticipated in an apple‐picking expedition (along with two other one of the unheralded people who make this As in the past, we hosted or co‐hosted a number Scribner seminars) on behalf of a regional food bank; collec‐ place work. So thank you Joshua and Nancy. We of interesting speakers and invited guests, including tively, they picked four tons of apples! Greg Pfitzer led students wish you both the best and will miss you. historian Peter Mancall, journalist and hip‐hop in his Hudson River course to several different locales: Prospect activist Rosa Clemente, historian Devyn S. Benson, Mountain in the Adirondacks, Fort William Henry at Lake Speaking of which, we also wish all of our political scientist Steven Kautz, and the ever ebul‐ George, the G.E. hydro‐electric dam in Corinth, and the Albany graduating majors and minors hearty congratula‐ lient cultural studies scholar Jerry Philogene. One of Institute of History and Art. In addition, the Methods and Ap‐ tions. We will miss you, too. The senior majors the year’s highlights was in March, when the de‐ proaches class, whose theme this year was community, decided this year were a particularly strong, close, memo‐ partment sponsored a well attended, lively event to visit the monks and nuns of New Skete, a contemplative rable group. Hesitant to single people out, I need titled “Rethinking Southern History: A Panel on the monastic community of men and women just outside of Cam‐ to mention that Claire Solomon was the 2010 Intersections of Race, Class, Gender, and Urban bridge, New York. American Studies Faculty Award winner and Studies” which featured Leslie Brown of Williams received Joanna Schneider Zangrando Student Probably the most important matters this year were related to College and Skidmore’s Winston Grady‐Willis. It Opportunity funding for her Honors Thesis. Many personnel. On the one hand, I’m extremely pleased to report was an informative, stimulating session and was other American Studies students earned distinc‐ that Associate Professor Winston Grady‐Willis, the College’s generously supported by the Department of History tion this year, too many to cite here. But trust Director of Intercultural Studies, earned tenure. A superb and the Black Faculty Staff Group. Also, thanks to me: we’re proud to bask in your reflected glory. Janet Casey, who introduced Ira Glass of National teacher, scholar, and citizen, Grady‐Willis has been an excellent Public Radio at a jam‐packed Zankel Music Center colleague and we are all thrilled that he (and his lovely family) So good luck, graduates, and please stay in in March, American Studies also participated in one will be here for years to come. On the other hand, I also have to touch. We look forward to learning about all the of the year’s most popular all‐college lectures. report that Joshua Woodfork, who joined us in 2005 and has wonderful things you’re doing. enriched Skidmore in many ways, is taking a leave of absence to

In terms of our curriculum, we offered several accept an exciting position at American University in Washing‐ new iterations of Introduction to American Studies ton, D.C. Obviously Skidmore’s loss is AU’s gain. We all wish him (AM 103). In the Fall, Joshua Woodfork’s course the best and want to thank him for his many contributions to focused on adoption; the course considered differ‐ the department and the college. He has made this a better ent notions of family—historically, legally, ethically, school and community. racially, and many other ways. In the Spring, Greg Chair, American Studies Department Pfitzer’s course examined competing representa‐ After 29 years of dedicated service, Nancy Osberg‐Otrembiak

Majors/Minors Abroad 2 Senior Honors Thesis Topics 2 American Studies Faculty Award 2 Grady-Willis Tenured The Class of 2010 3 “Never Can Say Goodbye” 4 Winston Grady‐Willis joined the American Studies ity.” Wife Lisa (who Woodfork Takes Leave 4 Department at Skidmore College in the 2008 Spring teaches in Skidmore’s Our Faculty 5 semester. Having come from Syracuse University as a Theater Department) and Student Assistants 5 children, Bakari, and Emi, Continuing Majors/Minors 5 tenured professor in the Department of African Ameri‐ can Studies, Grady‐Willis was able to seek tenure at as well as the soon to ar‐ American Studies Club 6 rive (at that time) Ajani, all American Taste for Apples 6 Skidmore in his third year. His tenure application Bowl-a-Thon 6 came up last fall and, we are happy to report, has approved of the move. Academic Festival 7 been approved by the Board of Trustees, and Winston Winston teaches courses that “seek to illuminate Grady-Willis Award & Panel 8 is now tenured at Skidmore. AM 221 Visits New Skete 8 and complicate African American experiences, Black Hudson River Course Field Trips 8 Winston says he “was drawn to the daunting chal‐ feminists, civil human rights, and the U.S. South. My Pfitzer’s Picturing the Past 11 lenge of joining a committed group here at Skidmore teaching draws from a number of disciplines and Notes….. 11 in helping to make diversity a substantive lived real‐ interdisciplinary fields, including history, Africana Fall 2010 Courses 12 Studies, and Women’s and Gender Studies.” Page 2 AMERICAN STUDIES SPRING 2010 NEWSLETTER

AMERICAN STUDIES Majors/Minors Abroad Experiences

Manpreet “Preety” Aujila ‘11 fortable, especially at night. Being here for two a half pace of life will be faster, which will be one months has made me extremely familiar with Rabat of the major things to get used to again. The past two and half months in Morocco have and the medina though, which has been really nice Being able to shower everyday will feel been unpredictable in the best way possible. strange, although having a room all to myself Coming into the country, I had no expectations. will be a delight. I know that if I have the Even though I had read and heard different means, I will come back to Morocco and that things about Moroccan culture, I knew very little this is only the beginning of my exploration about the country and its history. I came with an abroad. open mind, knowing that I would have to make some major lifestyle changes. My experience has Brian Connor ‘11 both surprised me and made me realize more G’day my fellow American Studiers, about myself and people very different from me. I’m having a bonza time Down Under, throw‐ Living with my home‐stay family has been one ing plenty of shrimp on the Barbie, and per‐ of the highlights of the semester. The home in petuating many other Australian stereotypes the medina (old city) of Rabat that I live in has a Turkish toilet and four rooms split between six people. There is little privacy; the home is a com‐ munal space spent with the family at all moments of the day. My family is less strict than most fami‐ and will be hard to leave. lies, which I enjoy and means I had no curfew. For my independent study project I'm going to look Living in the medina is an equally interesting at drinking culture in an Islamic society through the situation. There are mosques at every corner of different lenses of class, gender, location, and religion. the street, no room for cars on the alleyways, lots I'm going to be traveling around Morocco and compar‐ of cats, and endless veggie stands, corner stores, ing the situation in various cities: Fes, Meknes, Es‐ and snack shops. saouira, and Chefchaouen. Even though Islam consid‐ The worst part of medina and new ville city life ers drinking alcohol a “haram” or forbidden, many that are ingrained in Americans’ perceptions of is getting called to and harassed on the street by Moroccans drink and go out to bars the way Ameri‐ Australia. Moroccan guys. Times like these are a reminder cans would. that I am in a country where men have the upper The portrayal of Australia in American me‐ Out of most Islamic countries, Morocco certainly is hand and religion, Islam, is manifested as a moral dia has little basis in cultural reality; rarely do one of the most liberal and some parts, like Casa‐ authority that can dictate the way the society Australians drink Fosters, shrimp are called blanca, are the most westernized. Coming back I ex‐ works. Being a woman is a disadvantage in many pect culture shock to a certain degree. I know that the Continued on page 10 ways. It's harder to go out alone and feel com‐ (See Abroad Experiences)

American Studies Seminar project (which evolved into a SENIOR HONORS THESES Gemma Striker ‘10 2010 Faculty Award Thesis) on memory and music. Illusions of Change: Social Move‐ Claire’s writing and research skills are Claire Solomon ‘10 ment's Inability to Deconstruct America’s Sexual Norms CLAIRE SOLOMON is the 2010 impressive, as can be witnessed in her The Presence of Song: Constructing recipient of the American Studies Senior Thesis Project, The Presence of Musical Memoirs My thesis investigates how American Song: Constructing Musical Memoirs (for social movements Faculty Award. Claire has demon‐ Music provides us with a unique way to that have at‐ strated both excellence and more on Claire’s thesis, see “Senior Hon‐ construct individual and collective narra‐ tempted to growth in ors Theses”). tive histories and change America’s to think about the the major, As well as being an American Studies sexual values. personal and proving her‐ major and our Faculty Award winner, Currently Amer‐ historical con‐ ica’s construction self an ex‐ Claire minors in English and Honors Fo‐ struction of mem‐ of sex and sexual‐ traordinarily rum. ory. Community versatile ity creates a cul‐ Claire’s academic, as well as extra‐ is created when ture of silence. As a result, America student in a many voices curricular, life at Skidmore is clear dem‐ has as high STI rates and high teen wide array of become one onstration of growth and excellence and pregnancy rates as compared to our American song—when people begin to sing to‐ European counterparts. Thus, Amer‐ Studies courses on autobiography, a wonderful example of the Skidmore gether, to listen together, and to play ica’s sexual silence has had problem‐ identities, specific decade studies credo — Creative Thought Matters. together. Every Friday for the last seven atic health and social implications that months I visited Prestwick Chase, a senior Congratulations, Claire! are unique to America. (50s and 60s), historical imaginings living community in Saratoga Springs, New and courses in music. This all Continued on page 4 Continued on page 11 comes to fruition in her Senior (See Thesis—Striker) (See Thesis—Solomon) AMERICAN STUDIES Page 3 SPRING 2010 NEWSLETTER

AMERICAN STUDIES Senior Majors/Minors

Elizabeth Arzt, New York City, NY (Major) Over the summer, Emily will be working for a “Accepted Candidates Day I walked past the photography company on Long Island while she American Studies table and just knew. Then the Liz, who minors in International Affairs, plans searches for a more permanent job somewhere in first semester I took Pre‐Civil War with Professor eventually to go to grad school, once she has the Pfitzer and I was hooked.” Rachel suggests future discovered her specified field. For now she plans AM majors and minors “make sure to utilize your to “put my Spanish language skills to good use professors. Being able to talk to them openly is traveling through South America with a non‐ one of the greatest parts of a small school.” In profit volunteers program.” Liz wants future AM her free time, Rachel enjoys traveling, going on majors/minors to know “it’s a wonderful depart‐ adventures, and meeting new people. ment with supportive faculty, so utilize their knowledge and experience. Enjoy your Senior James Dillon, Clinton, NY (Minor) Seminar experience! The course is a rare oppor‐ James transferred to Skidmore in the Fall ‘07 tunity to get familiar with your classmates inter‐ semester from NY Maritime College; his major ests and writing styles. Learn something new here at Skidmore is Business. Like many of you, about your colleagues who you have been sitting he plans to spend some time over the summer next to for the past three years.” Liz enjoys read‐ nailing down a job or getting started in one. ing, dancing, ceramics and yoga in her free time, While at Skidmore, James has been an active participant in the Men’s Varsity Crew (F07), Intra‐ mural Softball, and the Skidmore Calling Program, Northeast. She and her sister are thinking of as well as a member of the Senior Gift Executive traveling to Maine, London, Montreal, or some other interesting place new to them. While she has no current grad school plans, she’d like to eventually find a job dealing with the arts, social media, advertising or publishing. Throughout her years at Skidmore, Emily was involved in SEC (Student Entertainment Company), and EAC (Environmental Action Club) and is currently the treasurer of the American Studies club. She ad‐ vises her AM major/minor colleagues “to make the most of, learn from, and enjoy every opportu‐ nity you have, every person you meet, and every and says she became an AM major when she idea you can make happen. Study abroad, take a noticed courses such as hip hop, culture and wide variety of classes, and enjoy the wealth of politics of the 60s . She says they “jumped out at knowledge that each professor can give you!” me as fascinating studies of dynamic cultures and Rachel Cohen, Weston, CT (Major) communities. I enjoy analyzing songs, literature, cultural phenomenon that tells a story about the Rachel is excited to note that she begins a “real Committee. His free time interests include skiing, time period from which they derived. There is life job” on June 7th at a media bartering firm spending time on the water, and most anything no other discipline where the imagination can that gets him outdoors. James became a minor roam as freely as it does in American Studies.” in American Studies because the classes offered in the department interested him. He’d like to Emily Bresnick, Merrick, NY (Major) tell junior and sophomore majors and minors to Emily, also an American Studies Department “take any class that seems of interest to you; the Student Assistant for two years, and an Art His‐ great thing with American Studies is that it in‐ tory minor, says she became an AM major be‐ cludes a wide array of topics, so don’t be afraid to cause she “wanted to learn about the United explore.” States in a way that could incorporate my various Krista Glencross, Merrimack, NH (Major) interests of the visual arts and design, pop cul‐ ture, the twentieth century and much more. Levine Internship Award Being an American Studies major allows me to Krista, who also majors in Government, is looking see the differences and make connections be‐ forward to a summer internship with the New tween those things and how they impact modern Hampshire Commission for Human Rights. In the American culture.” Emily enjoys photography, watching movies, playing Scrabble and Yahtzee, (Orion) trading as a junior trade negotiator. Continued on page 9 as well as visiting her sister, and interior design. American Studies became her major because on (See The Seniors) Page 4 AMERICAN STUDIES SPRING 2010 NEWSLETTER

“Never Can Say Goodbye” or What I Learned in Twenty‐Nine Years by Nancy Osberg‐Otrembiak After being launched on April 12, 1981 from Ken‐ three professors) over on the third floor of colleagues in the department. nedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, the Ladd Hall – American Studies. Everything I could make a really long list of all the things space shuttle “Columbia” orbited the earth 36 from that first day has been a learning experi‐ I’ve learned in 29 years at Skidmore, but the times and landed successfully at Edwards Air Force ence on many levels, not just academically ‐‐ hardest lesson I’ve learned comes at the end of base in California on April 15. Also on April 15, though I was quite fortunate to earn my BS in every semester when all the students leave, 1981, President Regan announced unconditional Social Work here at Skidmore. pardons for two former FBI officials convicted of Skidmore taught me to accept that things and especially in the spring when some leave authorizing illegal break‐ins of homes in the early happen for a reason. While floating around the us having no plans to return trip in the fall. I’ve 70s. Joe Louis, who held the heavyweight Boxing campus, I applied for the secretarial position in learned that I could never say “goodbye.” And Champion of the World title for almost 12 years, the Education Department. Although I was I still can’t. So I’m not saying goodbye to from 1937 to 1949, died on April 12, 1981. The interviewed I was not hired, and for a time, I Skidmore or to any of the wonderful people minor league baseball Pawtucket Red Sox and wondered if perhaps I wasn’t cut out for acade‐ who have come into my life at Skidmore. I’m Rochester Red Wings began a 33‐inning baseball mia. Soon after, one of offices in which I had saying (á la Bob Hope) “thanks for the memo‐ game on April 18, 1981 (and the Mets thought 20‐ temporarily worked found themselves without innings was a lot). The game was suspended at secretarial support. I applied for the position, ries,” thanks for the laughs (and even the 4:07 AM the following day (Pawtucket later won in and soon I was a permanent member of the tears), thanks for the understanding, the pa‐ the 33rd inning). President Regan left the hospital American Studies department. I have always tience, and most of all the support through so and returned to the White House on April 11, 1981 believed that I got the better end of the deal by many rough personal years. Especially fond after being wounded in an assassination attempt losing out on the position in Education which thanks to all of the American Studies Depart‐ 12 days earlier. left me free to accept the one in American ment members — those who are no longer In April 1981, I began my Skidmore career. I Studies. Things happen for a reason. Skidmore here as well — for all the wonderful years. I started as a temp/floater and filled in for PE and has taught me that what seems to be a high Dance (when they were still housed in a little priority now just may end up being the least have been truly blessed to have worked with trailer located approximately where the Sports important thing on a “to‐do” list by the end of people who not only value the work they do, Complex parking lot is now) and the Office of the day. But the most important thing I have but how it affects those for whom they do it. Alumni Affairs (which then called the fourth floor learned in my time at Skidmore is that people So if I don’t say goodbye to you, it’s not be‐ of PMH home). There was a stint in Special Pro‐ who possess Ph.D.s are completely incapable cause I don’t think you’re worth a goodbye. grams, the Counseling Center and also a very small of using a mailing tape dispenser! I hope that It’s because I don’t want to think of this as the academic department (which at that time boasted brings a chuckle to all my supervisors/friends/ end when it is really the beginning.

Woodfork Takes Leave to American U. Continued from page 2 Thesis—Striker

To investigate the possibilities of changing Joshua Woodfork, who has been with the American At Skidmore , Joshua has taught courses on Criti‐ the culture of silence, I ask the question: Can Studies Department since fall 2005, has decided to cal Whiteness in the U.S., Adoption, American Auto‐ social movements which represent sexual go on leave and join American University’s faculty biography, Diversity in the U.S., Life History, and the minorities change how America constructs this fall. African‐American Experience. In November 2006, sexuality and sexual norms? To answer this Joshua co‐facilitated (with Kristie Ford in Sociology) question I investigated the feminist and gay In light of the commencement of Joanna Zan‐ “The What, Why, and How of Multicultural Educa‐ rights movements in the 1980s whose advo‐ grando’s phased retirement, and of upcoming sab‐ tion,” an In‐Service Professional Day at Episcopal cates proposed changing America’s views on baticals for Greg Pfitzer and Dan Nathan, the Ameri‐ Academy, in Lower Merion, PA. He also co‐founded sexuality in regards to same‐sex relations. I can Studies Department opened it’s door to Joshua found that it wasn’t possible for this social and co‐facilitated a new Black Faculty and Staff in 2005. Joshua came to us from the University of movement to change America’s sexual con‐ Group (BFSG). The BFSG group mentors students Maryland where he was a Ph.D. candidate working structs and instead these movements inde‐ and sponsors campus wide events. In 2008, at its on his dissertation titled: “Shifting Whiteness: U.S. pendently changed their rhetoric to create Annual Freedom Fund Education Celebration, the White Parents of Black and Biracial Children.” sexualities for gay and lesbian relationships Saratoga Branch of the NAACP honored and that fit within the heterosexual values of Joshua earned his B.A. at Colby College (where he awarded Joshua, along with Kristie Ford, with its America. These social movements also ostra‐ served on the Board of Overseers) and his M.A. at Community Service Award. Joshua and Kristie were cized sexual minorities through the homonor‐ Michigan Statue University. His teaching interests also honored as a team at the Skidmore Employee mative identity that these movements cre‐ ated to fit within America’s current norms. focus on primarily whiteness studies and multiracial Recognition and Retirement Luncheon in 2008 with Therefore these social movements did not studies, including the idea of border crossing and the President’s award. The awards are intended to change norms to include various sexual ex‐ racial boundaries. He has also worked on an ethno‐ celebrate and symbolize the wide range of contribu‐ pressions but rather create a norm that mim‐ graphic study consisting of focused‐life history inter‐ tions by individuals and groups to the quality of icked heterosexual norms and could be ac‐ views and participant observations with six biracial campus life. cepted into the existing value system. and bisexual/gay young men. AMERICAN STUDIES Page 5 SPRING 2010 NEWSLETTER the American Studies Association conference in Washington, DC and presented at the New York Uni‐ The Faculty versity's Faculty Resource Network's conference in Atlanta, GA. In April, I attended the “Still Brave: Black Joshua C. Woodfork Women's Studies at 25+ Symposium” at the Univer‐ sity of Maryland. Finally, after careful consideration, I I spent the '08‐'09 academic year on pre‐tenure sab‐ Daniel A. Nathan have decided to go on leave and to join American batical leave. During this period, I lived near Salem, University's faculty this coming fall. This professional MA and spent significant time in Washington, DC. I and personal opportunity feels like one that I cannot worked on revising my dissertation into a manuscript pass up. I have enjoyed my experiences with Winston Grady-Willis and contacted several publishers. Returning to the Skidmore students over the last five years. Skidmore

Saratoga Springs area last August, I moved from near has been good to me and I remain grateful. I look “Any genuine teaching will result, if successful, in some- the horse racetrack to living between Lake Lonely one’s knowing how to bring about a better condition of forward to keeping in touch with alums and col‐ things than existed earlier.” and Saratoga Lake. In the fall, I taught Diversity in leagues. Thank you. —John Dewey the US and a new course for me here at Skidmore, Introduction to American Studies, which is Gregory M. Pfitzer now offered each semester with various themes. Using intersectional analysis and an interdis‐ I spent the summer clearing out of the American ciplinary approach, my topic was adoption Studies chair’s office to make room for our new cap‐ (parenting). In the spring, I taught the African Ameri‐ tain of the Ship of State, Professor Nathan. Shoe‐ Joshua Woodfork can Experience, Critical Whiteness in the US, and Life horning myself into his old office was no easy task. It History. In the latter two classes, students not only required several student workers, a backhoe, and the Gregory M. Pfitzer wrote traditional papers, but they also used alterna‐ purging of hundreds of cherished books, but I’m now tive formats to complete their assignments, including ensconced in Tisch 330 and enjoying my return to full audio, video, and hybrid presentations. In addition to ‐time teaching. This year I taught AM201: American teaching this year, I served on Skidmore's Committee Identities, AM250C: Hudson River Culture and on Admissions and Financial Aid. In January 2009, I AM374: Senior Seminar in the fall, and AM 103: The joined Colby College's Board of Trustees and cur‐ Civil War in American Memory and AM 360C: The rently serve as the vice chair of its Admissions and Continued on page 14 Financial Aid Committee. In November, I attended Janet Casey Mary C. Lynn (see The Faculty)

We are sad to say goodbye to three amazing Majors and Minors The Student Assistants (SA) senior stu‐ MAJORS MINORS dent assis‐ 2011 Manpreet Aujla Odemaris Alicea tants, Emily Brian Connor Ismatu Alison‐Konteh Lavere Foster ‘11 Elise Fariello Karen Granados Bresnick Rainey Ferdinand Timothy Lemp Lavere joined the American Studies department ‘10, Suzanne Finkel Emily St. Denis at the beginning of the spring semester to re‐ Lavere Foster place SA Elise Fariello ‘11 who went abroad Elizabeth Franke Kelsey Hastings (read her abroad experience on page 10). Eve Lewis Kate Neri Lavere Eliza Perkins had just Andrew Schrijver declared Courtney Spiller Ameri‐ Krista Alexander Stavrou Alexander Steinberg can Stud‐ Glencross ‘10, Eliza Straim ies his Mary Ann Weiss major Brooke Williams 2012 Megan Barlow last fall Abigail Bowling when he Adam Becker realized Jessica Garretson he must be taking all these AM courses for a D’Juan Gilmore Isabel Kagan reason! He hopes next fall to declare a minor in Kathryn Lazell Sociology. Lavere likes playing basketball and William Madden hanging out with his friends. Lavere says college Rebecca Meyer ..and Elena Benjamin Mickelson means he “constantly gets to meet new people. Allison Otto I like the relationships that I form with each of Milius ‘10.. Hannah Ronson my professors. And I like the independence that Callison Stratton I have gained from being at college.” Lavere Eric Strebel You can read all about them in the Senior sec‐ Jacob Wolf hopes to continue his education in grad school Steven Zapata after graduating from Skidmore. tion of the Newsletter (beginning on page 3). Page 6 AMERICAN STUDIES SPRING 2010 NEWSLETTER

In October, a handful of students from day was over, students and professors Professor Mary Lynn’s “American Taste” not only enjoyed some beautiful au‐ class (a First‐Year Experience Scribner Semi‐ tumn weather and some amazing cama‐ nar), along with a few students from two raderie, but they also managed to end other FYE Seminars (Barbara Black’s the day with a harvest of four tons of “American Dreams” and Beau Breslin’s apples. That should have kept the food “American Liberties”), took a trip to Sara‐ bank supplied through the apple pie toga Apple to pick apples for the Hudson season for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mohawk Regional Food Bank. Before the Kudos for a job well done!

American Taste for Apples October 2009

The American Studies Club The American Studies Bowl‐a‐Thon By Emily Bresnick ‘10, Treasurer December 2009 (President Elise Fariello ’11 is abroad)

The American Studies Club was involved with many differ‐ ent events over the 2009‐2010 academic year. On Decem‐ ber 11, 2009, the club co‐sponsored the annual “Bowl‐a‐ Thon” to celebrate the completion of AM374 Senior Semi‐ nar research papers. Fueled by pizza and soda and bol‐ stered by the bowling power of American Studies minors, upcoming seniors, and their friends, the eleven Senior Seminar students – with their personalized bowling T‐ shirts – engaged in a Battle for the Pins against professors of the American Studies department. Although both sides claim victory, the gathering was a success. During the Spring 2010 semester, the American Studies Club helped promote a fascinating panel lecture with Pro‐ fessor Leslie Brown of Williams College and Skidmore’s Professor Winston Grady‐Willis. The lecture, called “Rethinking Southern History: A Panel on the Intersections of Race, Class, Gender and Urban Studies,” brought up issues relating to Black community development in 20th‐ century Durham, N.C. as well as the Black struggle against apartheid in 1960s‐70s Atlanta, Georgia. The lecture fu‐ eled an interesting and thought‐provoking discussion about race relations and growing up in the South. The American Studies Club is looking forward to another For some reason there were no “action” shots of the Bowl‐a‐Thon this year, and it could be great year of lectures, events, and the annual bowling due to the fact that both sides (Faculty vs. Students) claim victory in this challenge! How‐ party. ever, the AM 374 Senior Seminar class upped the requirements of the competition by making Elise Fariello ‘11 will continue next year as President of their very own bowling shirts for the contest! the Club, but a new Treasurer will be needed. Please Pictured — Three in front row: Gemma Striker ‘10, Claire Solomon ‘10, Liz Arzt ‘10; Five in email Elise ([email protected]) if you are able to help second row: Emily Bresnick ‘10, Elena Milius ’10, Krista Glencross ‘10, Emme Newcombe ‘10, in this capacity. Keke Mullins ‘10; Four in back row: Rachel Cohen ’10, Jordan Klein ’10, Andrew LaSane ‘10, Professor Pfitzer (Picture by Elise Fariello ‘11) AMERICAN STUDIES Page 7 SPRING 2010 NEWSLETTER

Academic Festival May 5, 2009

Students at Skidmore strive for excellence. While in class and during much of their free time, they write thoughtful papers, perform music, conduct scientific experi‐ ments and mathematical research, and create provocative works of art. The qual‐ ity of independent thinking that character‐ izes the Academic Festival lies at the very heart of the definition of academic excel‐ lence. One of the great joys of life at Skidmore is the diversity and range of academic and co‐curricular activities. Frequently, though, students have too little time to enjoy the successes of one project before moving on to another or to find time for sharing their work with others. Academic Festival is a time for that sharing and for the entire Skidmore community to reflect upon our students’ achievement. —Taken from the Academic Festival Brochure

To the right are pictures from the American Studies portion of Academic Festival. Stu‐ dents presenting (Jordan Klein [Minor] ‘10, Claire Solomon ‘10, and Gemma Striker ‘10) commented on the challenges of doing his‐ torical research and preserving cultural memory in the context of Honors Thesis work. Presenting in three widely different areas of historical investigation, Jordan (A Fair to Remember: Depictions of the Ameri‐ can County Fair), Claire (The Presence of Song: Constructing Musical Memoirs), and Gemma (Illusions of Change: The Inability of Social Movements to Change American Sex‐ ual Norms) discussed the common methodo‐ (Pictures by Emily Bresnick ‘10) logical challenges they faced in researching the past and analyzed the consistent pat‐ terns of interpretation they employed in investigating the place of historical memory in the American consciousness. Page 8 AMERICAN STUDIES SPRING 2010 NEWSLETTER Grady-Willis Award and Panel Discussion

Winston Grady‐Willis, Associate Professor in American Studies and Director for Intercultural Studies, who is the student‐elected Commencement speaker for the 2010 graduating class, was one of two faculty members honored with the 2010 President’s Award. President's Awards are presented each year to members of the Skidmore faculty, staff, and student body who have embraced the educa‐ tional mission and cooperative spirit of the College through their exemplary com‐ mitment to personal excellence, campus pride, and community service. The awards are intended to celebrate and symbolize the wide range of contributions by individuals and groups to the quality of campus life. This year there were a total of 24 nominations. Winston joined Williams College Associate Professor of History Leslie Brown (who has taught at Skidmore in the American Studies department) in a panel dis‐ cussion titled “Rethinking Southern History: A Panel on the Intersections of Race, Class, Gender and Urban Studies.” For more information about this panel discus‐ sion, please see the American Studies Club report on page 6.

AM 221 Visits Hudson River Course Field Trips the New Skeet Community

In AM 221 (Spring 2010) students were challenged by Saratoga Battlefield Professor Dan Nathan to write proposals for a field During the Fall 2009 semester, Professor Pfitzer’s Hudson River classs ventured away trip to a location within 100 miles that would provide from campus to visit some historic sites along a first‐hand expression of community. Prof. Nathan the Hudson. In October they took a trip to the was impressed with some of the choices students Saratoga Battlefield where they “traversed the battleground and discussed the military strategy used by General Johnny Burgoyne to attempt to separate New England from the rest of the colo‐ nial empire” (quotation from Prof. Pfitzer). In early November the class made its way to Fort William Henry on Lake George. “We visited the site in association with our reading of James Fenimore Cooper’s novel The Last of the Mohi‐ cans which is set in part at the Fort. Re‐enactors demonstrated for us how the 18th century can‐ nons were fired during the French and Indian War” (Pfitzer). Not pictured, but also visited were the GE Brother Stavros with one of the puppies. Hydro‐Electric Dam in Corinth which was a study (Picture by Jessica Garretson) in how the river was harnessed in the 1930s and a trip to the Albany Institute of History and Art made, and their explanations of why their choice fit to view Hudson River Paintings. the criteria. The class decided to visit the Communities of New Fort William Henry, Lake George, NY Fort William Henry, Lake George, NY Skete. New Skete is a religious community of men and women dedicated to monastic life in the Orthodox Catho‐ lic Church. The community consists of the Monks of New Skete, the Nuns of New Skete, and the Companions of New Skete. Each of the three communities lives in sepa‐ rate houses within three miles of each other outside the small village of Cambridge in rural upstate New York. The Nuns support themselves through iconography, religious cards and plaques, and gourmet cheesecake. The Monks of New Skete breed and train German Shepherds. They have published books regarding dog training and care, and have a program on Animal Planet. Pictures by Andrew LaSane

AMERICAN STUDIES Page 9 SPRING 2010 NEWSLETTER Continued from page 3 THE SENIORS to discussions were more important than memo‐ between American Studies and the way I tried rizing and regurgitating theories and the ideas of fall she is off to Suffolk University graduate school to approach my major.” Jordan says possibly others.” He feels future AM majors and minors where she will study Criminal Justice. At she will stay in Saratoga for the summer to shouldn’t “choose your courses based on ease or Skidmore, Krista has been busy in Women’s Field work at the Tang, and maybe work in a road reputation. Take courses that challenge, confuse, Hockey, Lacrosse (06/07), and has been a mem‐ trip as well. She has applied “to all sorts of inspire, and intrigue you.” ber of the Search Committee to hire a Dean of museum positions” and is interested in Elena Milius, Boston, MA (Major) “exhibition design, curatorial work, and mu‐ seum graphics.” She hopes to work for a cou‐ The Dante Award ple of years to hone her museum skills and Elena, whose minor is Italian, was busy with a lot interests before heading to grad school. Jor‐ more than academics at Skidmore. She “spent a dan has been an active member of Skidmore good deal of my time hanging out in OSDP at Crew all four years at Skidmore. She also ran Project Unity. When I wasn’t in the ICC, you the Student Art in the Library program during could find me falling out of my flip flops, enter‐ her senior year, as well as being a member of academic council. She likes reading, cooking, blogs, and cooking things from cooking blogs. She advises non‐senior majors to “1. Take as many classes with Professor Pfitzer as possible; 2. Major… don’t minor; 3. Snacks.” (A possible reference to Senior Seminar or the 60s course!) Student Affairs. True to both her AM and GO majors, Krista spent the spring of her Junior year Andrew LaSane, Charleston, SC (Major) at the American University’s Washington Semes‐ After graduation, Andrew plans to spend a ter Program. Krista says she became an American month or so at home before returning to Studies major because “I’ve always loved Ameri‐ Skidmore to work for the Pre College Program can history and culture and the department al‐ lowed me to ask the bigger questions of ‘why.’ There is also something to be said about a smaller department — the Senior Seminar created a unique group dynamic that cannot be found in a taining Skidmore hopefuls, and checking rowdy lecture hall. Her advice to current and future AM parents across Case Green. If I wasn’t walking majors is to “go abroad and study in a program or backwards, then I was probably running around subject that is not offered at Skidmore.” Krista the intramural gym playing soccer. But if you spends spare time snowboarding and enjoys sum‐ couldn’t find me there, then I was most likely in mering on Lake Winnipesaukee. Tisch 303 taking copious notes or learning how to Jordan Klein, Hartford, CT (Minor) be a professional person.” She adds, if you have‐ n’t seen her recently, “it is simply because I live in Jordan’s Self‐Determined Major in Museum Stud‐ the Department and don’t know my way home ies seems a nice mix with an American Studies anymore.” Elena will spend some of her summer mi‐ for the third year in a row. And then Andrew getting her vitamin D on, enjoying frappes, and is off to New York City for graduate school. He learning how to make crab cakes. For future has been accepted in the Master program at plans, she says she would like “to take a shot at NYU and the New School for General Studies teaching at the high school level so I can ground and at this time plans to accept the NYU invite. myself again and also enjoy the privilege of being Besides academic pursuits, Andrew’s time at the teacher and the student. I then will dive back Skidmore has been filled by serving on the into academia and attend graduate school either UJIMA Executive Board (3 yrs.); as a member of in the South or Northeast (which probably means RAC (Random Acts of Craft), RAICES, Project I will end up in the Southwest).” Elena’s advises Unity, as President of the Hip Hop Alliance, and under classmates in American Studies to recog‐ as one of the five original Skidmore representa‐ nize “there is a divide between expectation and tives for the Black and Latino Male CHAS con‐ reality — build a bridge and connect it!” She ference. He has also DJ’ed on WSPN for three choose American Studies as her major when she years. In the little bit of free time he has left, “wandered in to a class with Andrew,” and “was nor. She says she took on the AM minor because Andrew loves to draw, walk around campus enticed because we go bowling, but eventually I she “loved the way that American Studies allows blaring music from his laptop, hang out with his stayed because I learned this is where I belong.” you to explore so many parts of culture. It takes friends, and occasionally destroy the AM pro‐ Extracurricularly, Elena says “If I could write and into account so many important aspects of soci‐ fessors in bowling matches! Andrew became eat all day then I would do just that (sometimes I ety and acknowledges their inter‐relationships in an AM major because it “was the only disci‐ do).” both history and contemporary dynamics. I also pline that I felt myself in its curriculum and the Continued on page 13 personally saw a lot of important correlations only one that I felt my ideas and contributions (See The Seniors) Page 10 AMERICAN STUDIES SPRING 2010 NEWSLETTER Continued from page 2 Abroad Experiences I've gotten to tour western Denmark, Malmo (Sweden), Dresden, Weimar, and Berlin prawns here, and, contrary to what “Crocodile” Skidmore next fall. I hope you’ve all had a great (Germany), Prague, Geneva, and France. In terms Dundee would have its predominately Ameri‐ semester. Take comfort in the fact that you've of American Studies, Danes are different than can audience believe, the nation is one of the actually been able to read and get work done, free Americans in that they embrace a more homoge‐ most urbanized in the world. of the relentless temptation to hit the beach that neous mindset versus Americans' diverse, melting plagues my every waking moment. pot mentality. Denmark is almost like a tribe and There is, however, an incredible amount of people are insular and seem cold at first but are purely Aussie charm about its cities and sub‐ Elizabeth “Leigh” Franke ‘11 friendly, warm and helpful when you break the urbs, and from an American Studies perspec‐ Washington Semester and Skidmore in Paris proverbial ice. For the most part people are com‐ tive, many interesting cultural minutiae to be The semester in Paris has been really fun so far plimentary of America and envy the "bigness" of and definitely different than I expected. I’ve been our country ‐‐ big cars, homes, parties/what they taking art, art history, French and dance but my see on MTV, etc. favorite class would probably a history and politics of France class that is particularly interesting since I spent last semester in Washington. I didn’t think the two semesters away from Skidmore really had anything to do with each other, but comparing and seeing how different two cities can be in terms of values and culture is very interesting, especially coming from a city that is built around American politics to a city where it is très chic to criticize them. I’ve gotten to know the city pretty well by now and I can see why so many people studied. want to come here. There are so many cool little neighborhoods and parks and so many good There are many parallels to be drawn be‐ Elise Fariello ‘11 things to eat. My favorite area is the Marais, the tween Australia and America, most obvious of I’ve been studying English Literature, my second which is the fact that they are both new Jewish district, where you can find a combination of falafel restaurants, Jewish patisseries, contem‐ major, over here in London at University College. worlds, settled by Europeans and purged of Mahatma Gandhi and Alexander Graham Bell are indigenous populations relatively recently. The porary art galleries, fancy stores and lots of old historic houses. I’m about to head out on spring some of its alumni! London is a great city to study two also have very similar cultural narratives in; there are countless historical and cultural revolving around the settlement of their vast break to Spain and Morocco, which I am very ex‐ cited about. I’m trying to think of all the things I landmarks all around. I live right around the cor‐ frontiers. They do, however, greatly differ in ner from one of Charles Dickens’s houses and certain respects. Americans fought a war of want to do and see and eat in Paris before I leave in a few weeks, but am also very happy to come have frequented a pub he used to go to. London independence to rid itself of the crown, while is also great because of its proximity to other back to Skidmore (finally) for the summer and Australia voted by referendum to retain com‐ places. I’ve already been to Italy and just got back senior year. monwealth status as late as the 1990s. from Croatia, both of which were beautiful. I also

have plans to go to Berlin and Dublin. Despite Australia’s obvious cultural inheri‐ Mary Weiss ‘11 tances from the British, such as cheeky accents, today the nation finds itself more culturally aligned with America. This is partly due to the two countries’ official policy of “mate‐ship” as outlined in the ANZUS Treaty, but more due to

American cultural domination, observed in the ubiquitous McDonald’s and 7‐11s and in the all

‐American television programming. However,

Australia has managed to maintain its own I'm abroad in Copenhagen and it's absolutely culture in significant ways. wonderful! Currently I'm on spring break on a ski I’ve heard a saying here that America’s dream trip to Val Thorens, France in the Alps. It's organ‐ is Australia’s reality, and in one respect that ized by DIS, my program, and we're here for a It has been both strange and fascinating to get appears to be true. Australian society is rooted week. I'm having the time of my life snowboard‐ outsiders’ opinions of American culture. From in the Aussies’ “fair go” philosophy, which ing in powder, sunshine, and blue skies. Denmark talking to local Londoners I have discovered how states that everyman ought to have just that. is slowly getting nicer too. We can actually see differently American culture is viewed over here. Due to this founding principle, the minimum some sun these days. It has been both a humbling and enlightening wage is around 15 dollars an hour, and, conse‐ experience that I would suggest for any American quently, the prospect of owning a home and a Studies major looking to obtain new and unique car is a reality rather than a dream. opinions on American culture and also learn more Anyway, enough about my love affair with about other cultures and ways of life. this incredible country. I still love the good ole Continued on page 11 U S of A, and I can’t wait to get back to (See Abroad Experiences) AMERICAN STUDIES Page 11 SPRING 2010 NEWSLETTER Continued from page 10 Abroad Experiences

As much as I have cherished my time in London, Picturing the Past: Illustrated Histories I cannot wait to return to Skidmore next year and and the American Imagination, 1840‐1900 apply my new experiences to my work there. I hope that the department and everyone in it is In March 2008, Greg Pfitzer’s newest book (titled filmmakers, web designers, and new media pro‐ having a great semester! above) was released by the University of Massa‐ ducers in their efforts to produce original, credi‐ Brooke Williams ‘11 chusetts Press. In 2009, Pfitzer spent many hours ble, and engaging history” (taken from CLIO web‐ in collaboration with CLIO, a website which seeks site). The aim of CLIO is to promote visual literacy to illustrate the unique role of visual images in by exploring the variety of ways that images en‐ American history, bringing his book to life as an hance our understanding of the past and chal‐ “online exhibit.“ CLIO sees “visualizing history as lenges us to hone our interpretative skills. To see a process of creating images that record or inter‐ Pfitzer’s book online and the online exhibit, click pret past events or accounts of past events. …. An here (http://www.cliohistory.org/ undertaking that forges ties between historians, visualizingamerica/picturingpast/).

Notes News Notes News Notes

Lauren Dougherty Roberts ‘04 put cisco since last July and says “I am Megan Williams ‘04 success‐ her passion to work in her new really enjoying it. I'm a mentor and fully defended her dissertation (9/09) posi‐ program coordinator and I work prospectus in October 2008 tion as primarily with low‐income, higher and applied for several 2009‐ London is an incredibly diverse, welcoming city, Saratoga achieving, immigrant high school 2010 fellowships. She partici‐ and I quickly fell in love with it. As a major County’s students in the Bay Area. Although I pated in roundtables, com‐ Historian. do miss some things about Balti‐ pleted a graduate certificate, “museum person” who hopes to work in one more and the East Coast I am set‐ published journal articles and someday, I’m absolutely in heaven here—London tling in nicely here in San Fran‐ essays, and has been teaching. is home to the British Museum and the British Bryn Varley Hollenbeck ‘00 (who cisco.” On a personal note, Megan taught in the American Studies and husband Ric are about to Library, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Lucy Waldrop ’01 says “I am work‐ Department celebrate their third wedding National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, ing for a history professor at the 20008‐ 09) anniversary this month. University of Wisconsin‐Milwaukee and so many more. And there is more to do and husband, on a potential popular culture text‐ andré carrington who taught here, from shopping at the eclectic vintage mar‐ Corey, were book. At Marquette Archives I have in the American Studies de‐ kets in Camden to enjoying a pint of Guinness at blessed with an internship. Right now I live in partment as a New York Uni‐ their first the St. Patrick’s Day festival in Trafalgar Square. Milwaukee (I've been in WI for over versity Minority Fellow from child, Juliet London is very much a student‐friendly city, and I 5 years now) and I'm in grad Fall 2007 through Spring 2009, Elizabeth Varley Hollenbeck on school. Things are moving along.” successfully defended his could not have imagined a more rewarding, en‐ September 8, 2009. dissertation and is now a doc‐ gaging abroad experience than this one. tor of philosophy. He's teach‐ Katie Morris ‘08 writes “things are Marcy Bouley Eckel ‘96 and hus‐ ing in the Liberal Studies Pro‐ Continued from page 2 going really well for me. I love band Richard’s first gram at NYU where his title is teaching the second grade, my class Thesis—Solomon child, Sydney Farrar Master Teacher. Sounds very this year is great, and I love the Eckel, was born on Zen‐like York. I met with residents from the Enclave, Prestwick school where I'm teaching. I just December 26, 2008 Laura Russak ‘00 last April Chase's wing for residents who cannot live independ‐ moved into a new apartment in (almost two now). ently. Each week we gathered as a group and em‐ Philadelphia with a friend of mine moved outside of Boston and Their second and barked on a musical journey through the past and the from high school. So all and all is living in Watertown, MA third children (yes, that’s twins!) are present. I encouraged residents to construct "musical things are really great, and now I'm with her cat Rascal (also a memoirs"—stories from their pasts that they described due to make their appearance hoping to go to grad school in Cali‐ Skidmore alumni). “I received first musically and then anecdotally. I asked one pri‐ sometime in July. fornia next year.” my Masters as a Reading Spe‐ mary question: Why is music such a powerful tool for memory? I explored answers to that question in vari‐ cialist from Boston University ous forms, primarily in reference to the ways in which Alexis Reynolds ‘03 sent us a James White ’08 landed a full‐time and I have been teaching 8th people tell their stories through music, as individuals, Christmas card saying that “Life in job last August at Books of Wonder grade reading in Waltham, MA group members, and as Americans. I thought about Austin continues to go well. The job in New York, NY, as its in‐house for the last six years. To this how we use music to create and to cross cultural is demanding but very rewarding copywriter for its marketing depart‐ boundaries, and to further understand one creative when the federal regulations are day, I still discuss with my ment. “I do like NYC but I fear I will means through which we become and express our‐ actually adhered to and a road students the unique experi‐ always be a bit of a country boy.” selves. The songs we sang and listened to were not avoids historic property!” ences I had as an American only about the specific individual's past, they also James and Mike Matias '08 (who is Studies major and the impact helped me to understand episodes of history through working on a Masters Program in music. Each week with my group was a gift, for me and that had upon my understand‐ Joshua Lauren ‘07 has been work‐ American Studies at NYU) are shar‐ for them. We sang together, we shared together, and ing of our country and my‐ ing at Summer Search in San Fran‐ ing an apartment in Astoria, we remembered together. Queens. self.” Page 12 AMERICAN STUDIES SPRING 2010 NEWSLETTER

FALL 2010 COURSE OFFERING

Why study America? ethos or cultural politics of the period preoccupations of our society. In this ize a culturally diverse democracy by Here's 50 good reasons: in which they were made and first course, we will read examples of popular examining how accepted cultural tradi‐ viewed. The intent of the course is not American novels from the nineteenth and tions intersect with contested themes to critique films as straightforward twentieth centuries as a means of studying such as race the family, adoption, gen‐ history or to assess their accuracy and both the publishing industry and popular der, sexuality, and education. AM 103‐1, Intro to American Studies reliability. After all, most feature films culture. In addition to reading the novels TuTh, 12:40‐2:00, TLC 302 (Inst. TBD) do not make bold “truth” claims about themselves, we will consider illustrations their subjects; they are usually content and critical receptions, and watch one or Introduction to the interdisciplinary study to remain loosely—sometimes very two related films. Supplementary readings of American culture, past and present. loosely—connected to their historical will focus on such topics as bestseller lists, Emphasizes reading critically, thinking referents. Moreover, it would be fool‐ “middlebrow” genres (including the ro‐ historically, practicing interdisciplinarity, AM 342, Black Feminist thoughts ish to expect Hollywood to provide mance and the western), and the role of and acknowledging diversity. Students will WF, 12:20‐1:40, TLC 308 (Grady‐Willis) moviegoers with historical truth when the Book‐of‐the‐Month Club. Students can analyze and synthesize multiple kinds of myth and fantasy are so much more expect to write several short papers and Examines the development and materializa‐ primary sources (such as fiction, film, mu‐ profitable. Rather, the course encour‐ take mid‐term and final exams. tion of Black American feminist thoughts sic, art) and disciplinary perspectives ages students to engage in a dialogue within historical, social, political, and cul‐ (sociology, economics, media criticism) to between the past and the present, and tural contexts. Interdisciplinary in focus, it appreciate better the complexity of Ameri‐ AM 260‐2, Childhood in surveys feminist politics and theories to consider the ways in which one can life and culture. (Fulfills social science America, WF, 10:10‐11:30, through films, popular culture, manifestos, particularly vibrant form of popular requirement.) W. Grady‐Willis, M. Lynn, TLC 301 (Lynn) literary texts, and theoretical and historical culture informs (and sometimes obfus‐ D. Nathan, G. Pfitzer, J. Woodfork essays. In addition, the course will address cates and subverts) historical under‐ how the concepts of black feminism and standing. An interdisciplinary explora‐ black womanhood overlap and diverge in tion of American culture accordance with the modes of representa‐ from 1620‐2010, focusing on the experi‐ tion used to articulate them. ences and roles of American children. AM 360B, The AM 103W‐1, Intro: Myth/Symbol in Amer‐ Beginning with Native American patterns, 1950s ica, MWF, 10:10‐11:05, TLC 307 (Pfitzer) the class will explore Puritan notions of TuTh, 11:10‐ childish original sin, the increasing inde‐ 12:30 (Lynn) This course considers the ways in which AM 236, Jazz: A Multicultural Expres‐ pendence of young Americans at the time Americans have attempted to make sense sion, MW, 5:10‐6:30 (Rosengarten) of the Revolution, the early Victorian ideas An interdiscipli‐ of centuries of national experience through Explores the history of jazz music, of children’s innocence, class and child‐ nary analysis of myths and symbols that represent allegori‐ often referred to as the only truly hood in the nineteenth century, and chil‐ the decade of the 1950s in America. Using a cally the fundamental belief systems of the American art form, focusing in particu‐ dren’s lives during and after plantation wide variety of primary and secondary culture. It focuses on the “life cycle” of sources, including fiction, film, music, biog‐ lar on the rich interaction among many slavery. In the twentieth century we will national fables: their birth from the womb raphy, autobiography, poetry, sociology, diverse cultures, classes, ethnicities consider the work of psychologists and of cultural necessity; their maturity and drama, and social criticism, the course and geographically distant peoples education reformers such as John Dewey, adaptation in the face of changing cultural explores the distinctive culture of this dec‐ which produced the emergence of jazz John B. Watson, Sigmund Freud, Anna conditions; and their decline and death as ade. It focuses on the way different groups in the first decade of the twentieth Freud, and Benjamin Spock, as well as they outlive their usefulness. Specific ty‐ of Americans experienced the period, century. Examines the combinations of emphasizing the importance of considering pologies studied include frontiersmen and studying conformity and consumerism, the African, African‐American, European, race, gender, class, and ethnicity in analyz‐ women, gangsters, scientists, aviators, and beatniks, rock and roll, and the silent gen‐ Latin‐American and American folk ing childhood. Our overall strategy will be eration, as well as the roots of the protest more. The course also treats the concepts influences that emerged in different to study American culture historically, and movements and the counterculture of the and interpretations of the “myth and sym‐ eras to produce what is now consid‐ through fiction, film, and art by analyzing 1960s. bol” school, especially “classic” works by ered to be "American Classical Music." the lives of children, their experiences, and American Studies scholars on the meta‐ Students will develop the ability to the changing ideas and policies which have phoric significance of the virgin landscape, listen effectively and deeply and un‐ defined American childhood. the new Adam, and the machine in the derstand what they hear in the context garden. of style and history, becoming familiar “Much as they may deplore the fact, with the most important jazz creations, historians have no monopoly on the and understanding how they relate to past and no franchise as its privi‐ leged interpreters to the public.” American culture and history. —C. Vann Woodward, historian AM 260J, Diversity in the US AM 374 Senior Seminar TuTh, 2:10‐3:30 (Inst. TBD) G. Pfitzer, MW, 4‐5:30 AM 233, American Past in Film An intensive examination of the "roaring An examination of the ways in which peo‐ TuTh, 9:40‐11;00, TLC 303 (Nathan) twenties," with special attention to the ple in the United States try to reconcile the impact of class, race, and gender on the Films powerfully influence how many peo‐ AM 260‐1, AM Bestsellers & Popular realities of cultural difference with precon‐ ple understand the past. “For many,” Culture, MW, 2:30‐3:50, TLC 305 development of American culture in the ceived notions of a unified America and period. The course focuses on a series of writes historian Mike Wallace, “because (Casey) American identity. Students will learn cinematic modes of perception seem so controversies illuminating some of the From Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle about the United States as a complex, conflicting forces at work in American soci‐ real, moviepast is the past.” This course Tom’s Cabin (1851‐52) to Dan Brown’s heterogeneous society that has been pro‐ ety, including debates over immigration, critiques how Hollywood filmmakers have The DaVinci Code (2003), American foundly shaped by both the connections Prohibition, evolution, sexuality, and the represented American history. It examines bestsellers have much to tell us about and conflict implicit in its multicultural role of women in society. It will examine Hollywood films as historical documents the social, political, and commercial heritage. Students will also address inter‐ some of the major intellectual, social, and that reflect (and sometimes reproduce) the relationships and tensions that character‐ cultural issues of the era. Page 13 AMERICAN STUDIES SPRING 2010 NEWSLETTER Continued from page 9 Claire Solomon, Merion, PA (Major) The Seniors Phi Beta Kappa writing program “teaching 7‐9th graders how to im‐ Kathleen (Keke) Mullins, St. Louis, MO Honors Forum prove their writing in the morning, and then I’ll lead Joanna Schneider Zangrando Fund (Major) hiking/biking/rafting trips in the afternoon.” After American Studies Faculty Award Keke plans to spend her summer traveling abroad Overland, Emma will be “either working as a tutor for Candace Carlucci Award and job hunting. She intends to take a year off to MATCH, an inner city high school in Boston, or possibly Katherine Scranton Rozendaal Citizenship work before attending graduate school for broad‐ working with a research team for Governing magazine Award cast journalism. At Skidmore, Keke was a mem‐ in Washington, D.C.,” where she would be researching ber of the Film Appreciation Troupe (07‐10) and Obama’s policies, etc.). In the next year or two she SGA Senior Leader Award In‐ would like to go to graduate school, likely in American Studies. Emma has been an active member of Folio (06‐07) and participated in Saratoga Reads! (06‐07). Her favorite activities include hiking, traveling, read‐ ing, and she is an avid foosball player. She became an AM major after taking Professor Lynn’s class “New England Begins” in her sophomore year. “I was hooked,” she says. “I immediately fell in love with the interdisciplinary aspect of American Studies — I love history and literature, and got both of them in all of my courses. I felt an immediate bond with the profes‐ sors and the other majors because of the small size of the department. I will never forget my experience as an American Studies major!” She says future and cur‐ rent AM majors should recognize that “American Stud‐ Claire, who minors in English, says her summer ies offers such a variety of courses — don’t be afraid plans “are really ‘beyond my summer plans.’” to try something new or different — some of the Shortly after graduation she will drive to Jack‐ tramural Softball “Got Runs?” (F09). In free time courses you know the least about can be the most son, MS, to begin a two year Education Fellow‐ she enjoys dancing, writing, traveling, and listen‐ exciting!” ship at the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of ing to music. Keke became a major because she Southern Jewish Life. “Essentially I will spend “loved the aspect of cultural study while still be‐ Emilie Shea, Cohasset, MA (Minor) the next twenty‐four months driving to syna‐ ing able to exercise and expand my writing skills.” gogues all across the south to lead services, Her advice to future and current AM majors and teach religious school, create community and minors is to “enjoy it while it lasts and get as cultural programs, meet interesting people, much as you can out of the experience.” and eat a lot of crawfish and/or barbeque.” Emma Newcombe, Longmeadow, MA Claire has spent the last four years involved in (Major) SGA, programming and leading services for Hillel (Skidmore’s foundation for Jewish Cam‐ Phi Beta Kappa pus Life), and singing with the Skidmore Com‐ Honors Forum munity Chorus (though she says “probably not

Periclean Scholar Award enough”). Claire enjoys “laughing, singing, The Sally Chapman Thompson ’48 Prize in Literature talking, and sitting in the window nooks at the Emma not only has a minor in Spanish, but she library—but probably not at the same time.” also has a second major in English! Over the She says “It’s Professor Nathan’s fault,” she summer she plans to work for a summer camp became and AM major. “He taught my first‐ called Overland. She will be working for their year seminar, American Memories, which in‐ troduced me to the wide and wonderful world Emilie is an of American Studies.” Claire’s suggestions to Inter‐ future AM majors and minors includes a list: “1. There really should be a bench by the win‐ national Affairs major who spent her freshman year in dows on the hallowed third floor of Tisch—you the London program. Over the summer she plans to should probably make that happen; 2. Take move to Jackson, Wyoming, but has no plans beyond advantage of office hours and open doors (and that at this time. Emilie has been involved in the Inter‐ even closed doors if you knock), our professors national Affairs Club and the Skidmore Ski team and are phenomenal; 3. Utilize our community simply loves being outside. She says she became a both on campus and off; I did my senior thesis minor because she “loves the department,” and sug‐ with a group of older adults at a nursing facility gests to future AM majors and minors to “take a class off campus, and it was one of the best deci‐ with Mary Lynn!” Continued on page 15 (See The Seniors) Page 14 AMERICAN STUDIES SPRING 2010 NEWSLETTER

Continued from page 5 summer plans include reading, writing, and relaxing with his family, at home and in the The Faculty such works for home school markets. I identify the posi‐ Berkshires. tive (but mainly negative) aspects of these recycling pro‐ Sixties in the spring. As these courses suggest, I jects, challenging their suitability for use among Mary C. Lynn ranged widely in a temporal sense, having taught homeschooled children today. This course has been a disaster! about the “lost colony” of Roanoke in the six‐ I look forward to the summer when I hope to travel to teenth century and the politics of reform in Roa‐ Hattiesburg, Mississippi to conduct research at the De I’ve always been intrigued by stories of disas‐ noke, Virginia in the twenty‐first (they are not the Grummond Archives of Children’s Literature as well as at ters and catastrophes. I don’t actually remember same place, by the way). The Civil War course has the Huntington Library in California and the State Archives Pearl Harbor but I’m fascinated by those who do. been especially rewarding because it is a new in Indianapolis, Indiana. Thanks everyone for a great year. This year’s H1N1 influenza virus encouraged me offering that considers how Americans have re‐ Congratulations, majors and minors, for pummeling the to read about the 1918 pandemic, which killed more American soldiers than did World War I. membered and commemorated the Civil War American Studies faculty at bowling this year. We’ll miss Reading Laurie King’s new detective novel which from the mid‐nineteenth century to the present. you, seniors. I bequeath to you our favorite exclamation places her characters in post‐earthquake Califor‐ Drawing on depictions of the war in fiction, film, from Senior Seminar: “Yipe!” Most of all, we’ll miss Nancy, who retires this spring after three decades of ser‐ nia to solve a mystery sent me right back to the popular history, memorial sites, music, television library to read more books about the San Fran‐ and re‐enactors’ conventions among other cul‐ vice to the Department. How will we survive (to say noth‐ ing of these newsletters) without you? cisco earthquake and fire. Epidemics, earth‐ tural sources, it focuses on how memory and quakes, fires, hurricanes, and other catastrophic history have interacted in the popular imagina‐ Daniel A. Nathan events, whether caused by humans, nature, or a tion to shape the cultural legacy of the conflict. I combination of the two, seem to me to be un‐ supervised some wonderful senior projects Dan Nathan had yet another interesting, productive usual windows through which we can gain new (featured in a notebook in the department office, year. He served as the Chair of the Department, which understanding into the culture of the past. So if you are interested) and led some adventure‐ went relatively smoothly, thanks to everyone’s help, when I was asked to offer a new writing inten‐ some field trips to Hudson River venues (see patience, and good cheer, especially Nancy’s, and to sive Introduction to American Studies course I website pictures of cannons firing at Fort William the steady mentoring of his senior colleagues. Among decided it would be called Natural and Unnatural Henry in Lake George). My Sixties students will be his four courses, he taught Introduction to American Disasters, and that it would explore changing celebrating the decade during a “Happening” at Studies (AM 103), which once again used basketball to attitudes toward such events in America. my house in the next few weeks (They are re‐ examine and critique American cultural values and to Happily, a lively bunch of students, mostly quired to appear in Sixties garb, including introduce students to an American Studies sensibility. of the class of 2013, shared my fascination “flowers in their hair.”) He also taught Methods and Approaches (AM 221), and signed up for the class. I decided we I’ve had some time to research and write (though this time solo, and led a class field trip to the New would begin with some small earthquakes not much). I did some work with webpage develop‐ Skete religious communities in Cambridge, New York. which struck Puritan New England in the 17th ment this year, having collaborated on an Internet In the fall, he attended the American Studies Associa‐ and 18th centuries (if you know me you know site (“Visualizing History: Picturing the Past”) with a tion annual meeting in D.C. and the Great Lakes Col‐ how the Puritans fascinate me too) and then not‐for‐profit educational company called CLIO (see leges Association Faculty Development Workshop in take up the devastating smallpox epidemic www.cliohistory.org). I am currently at work on a Ann Arbor, Michigan. Soon thereafter, his review of which nearly lost Americans the Revolution‐ book, tentatively titled History Repeating Itself: the HBO documentary Thrilla in Manilla appeared in ary War. We continued on to study the Chi‐ Consensus and Continuity in Popular Historical Lit‐ the Journal of American History. In February, at Ath‐ erature for Children. It deals primarily with nine‐ cago Fire (Mrs. O’Leary’s cow may well have teenth‐ and twentieth‐century popular historical letic Council’s behest, he led a pedagogy session about been innocent) the Charleston earthquake of literature produced for school‐age children and intercollegiate sport and academics. A month later, he 1886 and the light it shed on race issues in addresses the questions of when and how young presented a paper at the Middle Atlantic American that era, and then plunged into the twentieth readers best absorb lessons of the past. I trace the Studies Association Conference in Philadelphia. In century. Of course we had to explore the rise and expansion of a genre of juvenile historical April, he gave a lecture to the Skidmore Club of Boston Galveston hurricane of 1900, probably the literature from the early nineteenth century to the titled, “‘What the hell’s the matter with a society that most lethal natural disaster in our history, the mid‐twentieth century, focusing especially on how offers a football coach a million dollars?’: Re‐thinking San Francisco quake and subsequent fire, the authors of popular texts originated and then the Role and Value of Intercollegiate Athletics.” Also (geoscientist and Lubin professor Amy Frap‐ vigorously defended a “master narrative” of the this spring, he published a chapter in David K. Wiggins pier visited the class to teach us all about American past for school‐age children. In the book, I and R. Pierre Rodgers’s Rivals: Legendary Matchups plate tectonics and the causes of earth‐ analyze dozens of these volumes, noting especially That Made Sports History (University of Arkansas quakes) as well as a major forest fire which their consistencies across decades. Like‐minded Press) and two essays: “The Making of a Fan,” in NINE: affected six states in 1910. (Skidmore alum authors in this genre borrowed (and sometimes A Journal of Baseball History and Culture, and Dan Berheide, who worked for the U.S. Forest stole) from each other to produce texts that were “Painting Pride and Prejudice: Kadir Nelson’s We Are Service for several summers as a sawyer, vis‐ remarkably similar in subject matter, narrative The Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball,” in Black ited the class to discuss his experience with voice, historical tone, and pictorial effect. It is my Ball: A Negro Leagues Journal. Later this spring, Na‐ forest fires.) Undiscouraged by all these thesis that this consistency of approach reveals a than is giving a paper at the North American Society psychological aversion to change on the part of rather terrifying events, we also explored the popular authors and readers and a resistance to the for Sport History (NASSH) conference in Lake Buena 1918 influenza pandemic, the great Boston idea of a contested and revised past, especially Vista, Florida. Speaking of NASSH, with Nancy’s invalu‐ molasses flood of 1919 (no kidding!), the when it pertains to educating children. I also explore able help and technological wizardry, Nathan, as Chair enormous Mississippi flood of 1927, the 1938 the original educational context in which these of NASSH’s Publications Board, developed and New England hurricane, and, of course, Hurri‐ works were created and investigate the recent ef‐ launched the Journal of Sport History’s web page: see Continued on page 14 forts of various contemporary publishers to reissue http://www.journalofsporthistory.org/. As usual, his (See The Faculty) Page 15 AMERICAN STUDIES SPRING 2010 NEWSLETTER Continued from page 13 The Seniors struggles as well. I taught U.S. Regional Cul‐ Continued on page 14 ture: The South (AM 250C) for the first time sions I have ever made.” The Faculty this semester, attempting to draw students to an understanding of the South that moves Gemma cane Katrina, which so devastated New Orleans, beyond myth. We began with the early in‐ Striker, helped along by human error. terplay of indigenous, African and European Tarrytown, cultures and ended with the debate over the Before the class met for the first time, we began to NY (Major) Confederate battle flag. What a challenge! learn of the apparent omnipresence of disasters in the Gemma, a world, as the earthquake devastated Haiti. Floods sub‐ March was certainly a special month out‐ dance minor, merged part of Indonesia, unusually cold weather froze side the classroom. I had an opportunity to has applied to livestock in many parts of China, mudslides killed dozens be on a panel with award‐winning Williams a few intern‐ of Brazilians, and grassfires destroyed many homes in College historian Leslie Brown sponsored by ships and jobs rural Australia. The West Virginia coalmine tragedy and our department, “Rethinking Southern His‐ for the sum‐ the Gulf of Mexico oil drilling rig explosion and possible tory: A Panel on the Intersections of Race, mer and is oiling of the coastline of five states closed the semester. Class, Gender, and Urban Studies.” Profes‐ Periodically through the course I had to bring statistics to waiting for sor Brown and I had a rare chance to talk class to show that no, 2010 was not an unusual year for responses. She plans on going “to graduate about our respective book projects, and to natural and unnatural disasters, it was just that we were school for either Public Health, Social Work , or unusually sensitized to the subject we happened to be reiterate the specific significance of Black Public Policy in the near future after gaining some studying. women as agents of change locally and re‐ work experience in public health and grassroots gionally, both as established figures and in advocacy.” She loves dance, yoga, walks, listen‐ Our main text this spring was Kevin Rozario’s The the grassroots. I also had the opportunity to ing to music, drawing and doodling, and relaxing Culture of Calamity: Disaster and the Making of Mod‐ return to Atlanta as keynote speaker for the with her friends. She has been the Head Peer ern America (University of Chicago Press, 2007), in fiftieth anniversary celebration of the At‐ Advocate for the Center for Sex and Gender Rela‐ case any of you share my fascination with catastrophic lanta Student Movement, sponsored by the tions since her sophomore year. She also has events and would like to read further. Rozario, who Atlanta History Center. Although the college been a member of Skidmore Nutrition Action teaches American Studies at Smith College, argues sit‐in movement to protest segregation in Council and was Vice President her sophomore persuasively that Americans have long had a kind of the South began in Greensboro, North Caro‐ year. Gemma is a member of Terpsichore, a stu‐ “psychological addiction” to depictions and tales of lina, the most organized (and arguably long‐ dent dance group on campus, and the Yoga Club. disaster and that further, our economic and political est in duration) protests took place in At‐ She became an major when she “was introduced systems depend in part on the threat of calamity for lanta between 1960‐1964. The highlight of to American Studies through an amazing class, their authority. Rozario’s book explores the changing the evening was a panel featuring former AIDS and the Public Sphere, with Richard Kim way Americans have imagined and managed disasters student activists. These freedom fighters th st (former New York Minority Fellow). I then con‐ from the 17 century to the 21 pausing along the made a point of telling current undergradu‐ tinued to explore American Studies taking classes way to visit turn of the century Coney Island, with its ates that there is much unfinished business with Professors Lynn and Woodfork. I liked depictions of the Galveston hurricane, the Johnstown in terms of these human rights struggles, American Studies because it allowed me to ex‐ flood, and the volcanic eruption of Mount Pelee which particularly regarding education and the th plore American culture and society and under‐ destroyed much of Martinique in 1902. Early 20 growth of the prison industrial complex. stand how American social structure and history century Americans didn’t have Bruce Willis movies or affected different social identities.” Gemma end of the world films, but they had lots of opportuni‐ Janet G. Casey urges future majors and minors to “explore your ties to frighten themselves in the relative safety of an Professor Casey came off a one‐year leave in options for American Studies beyond the courses amusement park. the Fall of 2009 and has had a busy re‐entry offered in the department. These courses can year. She has published articles recently in I’m already planning the catastrophes we can study in Radical Teacher and in a volume of centen‐ count toward your ‘American Subject courses.’ I the next iteration of AM103—those which have already nial essays on The Grapes of Wrath, and she feel that I gained an interesting perspective led to a scholarly analysis are most eligible, in case you’d has been working on two other pieces—one learning about American through different aca‐ like to send me suggestions. demic lenses and through other students who on teaching middlebrow texts and one on weren’t necessarily in the department. Also, I Winston Grady‐Willis the politics of race, gender, and populism in the creation of a 1920s monument to Pio‐ agree with Claire. We need a bench in the Tisch This academic year has been especially rewarding in neer Women. She also presented papers at hallway!” the classroom. Students in Black Feminist Thoughts the Middlebrow Cultures Conference in Glas‐ (AM 342) took the seminar to new heights in the fall. gow, Scotland and at the Conference of the Nancy Osberg- Everyone embraced the bedrock notion of intersec‐ Otrembiak, Editor Society for the Study of American Women tionality seen in Black feminisms throughout the se‐ mester. The seminar really benefitted from a synergy Writers in Philadelphia. On the teaching generated by the mix of American Studies majors and side, she again offered Magazines and Mod‐ ernity, which resulted in some top‐notch American Gender Studies majors. Civil Rights: Twentieth Cen‐ archival work by students, and taught a Studies tury U.S. (AM 260A) provided students with an oppor‐ Newsletter range of courses in the English Department. tunity to not only study African American freedom This summer she is looking forward to a struggles, but also, the contemporary Chicano/a and three‐week trip to Alaska with her husband Native American movements. Although some pro‐ and their two teenagers. gress was made this semester, I am still trying to incor‐ porate a more substantive discussion of LGBTQ activist

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