Departmentvoice of English - Acadia University Vol. 13.1 - Fall 2005 4

Acadia Theatre Company’s Fall Performance:

Maggie Rodger Review by: Tessa Sheppard Voice4 Acadia Theatre Company’s Fall Performance: voice4 The Threepenny Opera into the lives of the underbelly of Theatre By Tessa Sheppard society. The Threepenny Opera Central to the play is Mac Leanna Brodie On the evening of November 9th, a the Slash, played by Garrow Hill crowded Lower Denton Theatre was Stosky, a criminal who marries Polly Authors at Acadia transformed into the stage for the Peachum, played by Mary Fay Coady, Steven Bruhm opening night of the Acadia Thea- who is the daughter of an affluent Matt Robinson tre Company’s exciting adaptation yet corrupt businessman. Adding Greg Cook of ’s The Threepenny to the plot are bands of “thieves, Alberto Manguel Opera. Directed by Michael Devine, whores, and beggars” who are all Susan McMaster the performance was both humor- in some way connected to Mac the ous and disturbing, challenging the Slash and the Peachums. After a Lunch and Letters audience to question human nature series of plot complications, in- Ralph Stewart and morality by offering a glimpse cluding the appearance of Mac the Meghan Johnston Richard Hennigar and David Mangle Camille Slights

Events Don Quijote Symposium Annual Department Barbeque Jon Saklofske Installed Words on Tap Axe Lounge Speaker’s Series

Staff Ryan Dodington Beth Lyons Matthew J. MacDonald Kaitlyn MacPhee Maggie Rodger Zachary May Erin Mullen Maggie Rodger Tessa Sheppard Jaclyn Stanfield Ralph Stewart Julie Veinot

If you would like to help out with interviewing, writing articles, and editing for Voice4, contact Dr. Lance LaRocque [email protected] Phone: 585-1146 Maggie Rodger

Page  - Fall 2005 Voice4 Slash’s other wife, Lucy Brown, and the intervention of Tiger Brown, a “copper” who is a friend of Mac’s, Authors at Acadia the play ends on a happy note, with Mac the Slash being pardoned for his crimes and excused from execu- Byronic Bitchery tion. Although The Threepenny “Byron and the Opera had an unusual set design, it was quite functional in allowing the Choreography of Queer movement of the various actors Desire” throughout their parts and musi- cal performances, and also allowed By Beth Lyons for the audience to engage in the play in a unique way. Adding to this December 1st, Steven Bruhm, uniqueness was the projector that Professor of English at Mount St. hung from a ceiling beam to create Vincent, entertained an audience of a type of scoreboard for the char- 20 with his lively lecture “Byron and acters, which also flashed various the Choreography of Queer Desire.” satirical messages to the audience For an hour and a half Bruhm spoke throughout the play. on the complexities of Byron’s Don The Acadia Theatre Compa- Juan, largely from the perspective of ny actors did a commendable job at queer theory and dance. depicting the rawness of the charac- Bruhm was introduced by ters and plot while injecting humor Acadia English Department pro- msvu.ca and satire into their performances. fessor, Dr. Stephen Ahern, who All of the actors involved played thanked Bruhm for coming and the overall homosocial bonding and their parts with the gritty spirit true highlighted some of Bruhm’s many “discursively bitchy queerness” tak- to Brecht’s musical play, and deserve academic achievements, which ing place in the text. credit for taking a risk with a play include the publication of numer- The dynamic lecture often that, as Michael Devine noted, in- ous articles, books, editorships, and moved beyond the bounds of liter- cludes colourful language, violence, his recent appointment as incoming ary discussion, as Bruhm engaged and sexuality. Looking around the president of Association of Cana- in explaining the cultural shifts that theatre, it was apparent that Devine’s dian College and University Teach- have occurred in dance, rendering intent to not offend anyone was ers for English. Once introduced, it a particularly female-focused art. achieved. Bruhm launched into an engaging As well, humor abounded during Most pleasing about Aca- lecture accompanied by an informa- the presentation as Bruhm included dia’s The Threepenny Opera was the tive and entertaining PowerPoint pictures of cantankerous muppets teamwork evident in the overall presentation. Waldorf and Statler in his slide show performance. While all of the main The lecture focused on the and frequently offered such quipping characters did outstanding jobs, the dance in Byron’s and the remarks as “Juan puts the crotch beggars, thieves, and whores added interaction that occurs between ob- back in crotchet.” After a series of their own excitement and humor to server and dancer. Issues that were questions from the audience, the the play, and were not easily forgot- addressed were the complex gender lecture ended with Bruhm heading ten. Congratulations are extended performance required of the dancer to the local pub with a number of to everyone who contributed to The (at which point Bruhm likened Juan audience members. Threepenny Opera. to a “Mick Jagger, Bette Midler”- esque drag queen), the “bitchy” nature of the observer comment- ing on the dance taking place, and Fall 2005 - Page  Voice4

Hockey Night in B.A.C.

Matt Robinson’s Hockey Poetry

By Julie Veinot

No need for academics and athletics to be opposing teammates. Matt Robinson’s new collec- tion of hockey poems, published by ECW Press, combines his love of Matthew Carswell sport with his love of syntax: no cage contains a stare that well. The title re- Though his poetry does not Robinson is speaking about life or fers to the stare from a net minder’s depict his own life, his speakers face hockey or both. mask, perhaps a stare Robinson has things he himself has encountered. In keeping with his own perfected himself during his time While one would expect a collection experiences, Robinson speaks several between the posts. of hockey poetry to be upbeat, his times of the goaltender, hidden Robinson does not mention poems reflect a dark view of hockey. behind his mask. his affinity for poetry in the locker It is evident from the dark cover, The last poem he read to room. Rather, teammates “usu- which actually features Robinson the audience featured an old goalie ally find out of their own volition” playing in goal. finishing his last game; it is a wist- about his writing, he says. From childhood, he recalls ful poem, heartbreaking because the To a group of thirteen waiting impatiently for the Zam- final horn is about to blow. It dif- gathered in Acadia’s Beveridge Arts boni driver to finish the ice. When fers from a previous poem he read Centre, Robinson read his award- writing, he asked himself how it – “Shutout” which details an ode to winning poetry. A Halifax native, he must feel to be that man. “Every- the “pinnacle of achievement” for received an MA in Creative Writing one’s waiting for you to leave,” he any goalie. The words hearken to at the University of New Brunswick, says. One of the first lines of the more than just hockey, for a shut- where he now works in Residential poem called the “Zamboni Driver’s out is “everything and nothing all at Life, sometimes flooding outdoor Lament” depicts that feeling all too once,” he reads. hockey rinks for the students. well: “I know hate.” While his material hinted at His hockey experiences have His poems talk of equip- the bleak, Robinson was anything sharpened his work, though as any ment problems, minor in com- but. A devout UNB Varsity Reds student of English poetry knows, it parison with other events. Another fan, he quipped he was disappointed is important to separate author from poem recalls a childhood incident in UNB lost to Acadia in a shutout the speaker. One of his poems, dealing which a fellow player had a hockey previous weekend and expected they with father and son tensions, was blade speared through his cheek. would win the next night in Fred- mentioned in the National Post, and Then there is the urban legend of ericton (and they did). people began calling Robinson’s fa- a coach losing his fingertips to an When asked if there is any ther to hear about the rift described errant skate. The recent paralysis relationship between this book and in the poem. Even his father was of Moncton varsity player Sebastien being hit with too many pucks, Rob- surprised to hear it and Robinson Savage attests to the bleaker side of inson jokes and says he had been had to explain the poem was just sport. This side is captured in these hit “fairly substantially” during the that: a poem. poems. Often, one cannot tell if research of his poetry. Page  - Fall 2005 Voice4 as one of the Top Ten Toronto carcinoma, where Cook met with Toronto-Based Theatre Artists in 2001, Brodie has him on a number of occasions; and Playwright moved into the Canadian limelight, another accounting the humorous and seems to continue to climb meeting of Nowlan with Johnny Leanna Brodie the ladder of success. The artist is Cash and Prince Charles in 1975. Visits Acadia headed for great things with her next Cook also gave the audience insight project already underway, and Acadia into Nowlan’s humble beginnings in By Maggie Rodger was lucky to be a part of the action. rural Nova Scotia. In addition to the Nowlan Members of the Wolfville communi- biography, Cook has published a ty as well as several Acadia students number of works of poetry, his lat- turned out to see Canadian author Greg Cook est being 2004’s Songs of the Wounded. Leanna Brodie’s play reading on on Alden Nowlan Cook explained that he, like Nowlan, Tuesday, October 4th in the Bever- is inspired to write about where he age Arts Centre. By Tessa Sheppard is from, and what he knows in life. The reading was supported Cook read a poem from each of his by the Canadian Council for the On the evening of September 28th, six books, on subjects including love, Arts and the Playwrights Guild of an interested crowd came to the war, and family relations. The selec- Canada and focused on Brodie’s lat- BAC to hear Greg Cook read from tions Cook read nicely showcased est endeavor, For Home and Country. his new biography on Alden Now- his ability to use detail and imagery The play, which was described by lan, One Heart, One Way, as part of to convey often simple ideas, and the author as being about “women’s the Authors @ Acadia series. In ad- showed his interest in playing with a friendships, the Women’s Institutes dition to reading passages from his poem’s structure in terms of timing and…bees,” exemplifies Brodie’s book, Cook read some of his own and rhythm. admiration of Canadian history and poetry, shared Nowlan anecdotes Cook explained that writing the women who were a part of it. and also spoke of his time at Acadia a biography is a difficult task. He An actor as well as a writer, as both a student and lecturer. was discouraged in the beginning the author was able to give her audi- Cook explained to the by the politics of publishing, but ence an energetic and enthusiastic persevered after having a number of reading of several scenes of the dreams about Nowlan and the book. play. The evening was even interac- He said that One Heart, One Way is tive, allowing audience members to not a typical biography, and is part participate and be a part of the per- memoir. He relied on his memories formance: “I loved that she really of Nowlan and letters sent back and allowed for listeners to be involved forth between himself and the poet in her play,” said Julia MacIntosh, a to complete this “historical and dra- third year English and Theatre Stud- matic document” on Nowlan’s life. ies major. Cook stressed that having respect Not only did Brodie capti- for your subject is the most impor- vate her audience with the play itself, tant factor in creating a biography, but also with her words of wisdom. Wikipedia.com and he is careful in the book to “She was beautiful and inspiring,” audience that his intention for the never make it seem as though he is MacIntosh said. “She was really evening was to share Nowlan with “bragging about a famous friend.” very real in her approach to giving us as he knows him. He read three Greg Cook is currently advice to aspiring writers. You could different passages from the book to working on a biography of Ernest tell there was a genuine hope of do this, one reflecting Nowlan’s life Buckler, and continues to both write encouraging people to do what she in Hartland, New Brunswick, where and edit poetry himself. was doing because she had such a he worked at The Observer; one passion for it.” concerning Nowlan’s hospital stay Voted by NOW Magazine after being diagnosed with a thyroid Fall 2005 - Page  Voice4 applies to his life. His book is full of reflections and joyful memories elic- Alberto Manguel ited by the books he reads, as well as Poet the sadder moments he is reminded Susan McMaster Year of Favorite Books of. It is an intimate novel that draws the reader closely into Manguel’s life. a woman of varying By Kaitlyn MacPhee As he read excerpts aloud, the KCIC crowd was silent. The soothing pitch and volume On October 19th, renowned author sound of his voice reflecting on old By Zachary May Alberto Manguel graced the KCIC favorite books induced a contented, auditorium with a reading of his almost dreamlike feeling in the lis- Poet Susan McMaster visited the newest book A Reading Diary: A Year tener. English Department to an audience of Favorite Books. The concept alone As well as the childhood of roughly thirty students, faculty, is one incredibly attractive to readers favorite The Wind in the Willows, he and community members to read and writers alike. Alberto takes us re-read other books such as HG poems from many of her published on a written journey of past favorite Wells’ The Island of Dr. Moreau, works. books and muses on them as he Rudyard Kipling’s Kim, and Arthur McMaster admits that she goes about his daily life for a year. Conan Doyle’s The Sign of Four, to did not begin her work as a poet un- Written in the fashion of a diary, he name a few. His choices are admit- til “later in life,” although she speaks records daily events and reactions to tedly eclectic, which is part of what to a room with the confidence and the books he is reading at the time. makes A Reading Diary so interesting. individual voice of a writer thor- Dressed in the typical black suit, a Alberto’s book jumps from discuss- oughly dedicated to her craft. bespectacled Alberto stood com- ing home to discussing his feelings Her books of poetry, as she pletely at ease at the podium. The about Canada, death, and govern- explained, “explore the page” and reading was packed with people, and ment. defy publishing conventions. Many well into the evening stragglers were The peaceful aura that sur- lines contain a single word, some- slipping through the door, their faces rounds his new book is reflected in times scattered around the page. bright with anticipation. Alberto himself. He took part of the This attempt to explore lan- After a brief introduction reading to discuss the concept of guage and text resonates in McMas- by Bruce Matthews, the Dean of time. He said that as he got older, he ter’s performance of her poetry. She Arts, Manguel took centre stage. In became less restless and less anxious often closes her eyes in concentra- his soft, accented voice he explained for new things to happen in his life. tion as she changes the volume and that in his new book he wanted to He has become content with what pitch of the words printed on the show what happens when someone he has, and this nostalgic, fulfilled page. reads: to try and describe the experi- attitude is strongly apparent in his The effect is truly unique. ence of reading a moving piece of writing. As he finished the reading, McMaster, according to her literature. He said that unlike writ- the audience erupted into applause. writing philosophy, believes that by ing, reading was a comfortable and With a modest smile and a twinkle exploring a single word in variation, sensuous experience, something that in his eye, Alberto Manguel grace- both on the page and aurally, all a person can enjoy and relax with. fully accepted the enthusiasm. A meanings of the word are explored. What better topic to write about thoroughly enjoyable October night, Many of the poems read then, than reading! everybody came away from the read- on this September evening included In his December chapter, ing feeling a little more contented, a handful of repeated words or Manguel covered The Wind in the and almost as though they had made phrases, although the performance Willows, a classic favorite of many a new friend. was anything but monotonous. Canadians, and one that elicited hap- py sighs of contentment throughout the audience. Through a re-read- ing of this book, he focuses on the central theme of “home” and how it Page  - Fall 2005 Voice4

Lunch and Letters Marginal Scholarship

Lesser-known aspects of Presbyterian and Episcopalian relations in Scotland in the early 1690s by Ralph Stewart

Covered by Ralph Stewart

The second Lunch&Letters of the term, held on 18 October, was on “Marginal Scholarship”: the sub-title was “Lesser-known aspects of Pres- byterian and Episcopalian relations in Scotland in the early 1690s—and do they matter at all?” Ralph Stew- art explained gloomily that research in the Arts is held in low esteem at Acadia, one indication of which is the treatment it receives in the recent “Strategic Plan.” Within the Arts, English is perhaps the hardest subject to justify. (Philosophers can argue that some of the ideas they analyze can be used in practical con- texts; historians that those who don’t study history are condemned to repeat it.) It had occurred to Stewart that his own research was probably the most useless in the entire De- partment, and he thought there was Zachary May some logic in examining the most ine), militarily (Jacobites repulsed), years, and counter-satire. The mem- obscure and impractical work he or ideologically (development of bers of the L&L session went on to had ever done. If the most useless ideas on democracy). It is harder to examine some passages from these article, by the most useless member, justify studying the literature of the books, to get a sense of their ideas, of the most useless Department in place and period. However the Epis- wit, and satirical techniques, and of the Faculty of Arts--can be justified; copalians came up with an effective the kind of world they reflect. The then it follows that ALL research polemical-satirical book, The Scotch consensus was that such study was done elsewhere in the Faculty is Presbyterian Eloquence, which mocked indeed interesting and illuminat- worthwhile. the Presbyterian ministers and their ing, and therefore that all current It is not very difficult to sermons, and the Presbyterians research in Acadia’s Faculty of Arts make the Scottish 1690s look signifi- replied with reasoned debate, a well- must be worthwhile. QED. cant as social history (last great fam- written history of the past twenty Fall 2005 - Page  Voice4

it into their acting. Meghan also had Meghan Johnston the opportunity to work with the UN-funded program, Global Mo- Richard Hennigar tion. This program used theatrical and David Mangle and Children’s Theatre movement presentations to discuss in Kosovo the messages of drug use, sex, and other important topics for youth. Discuss the GNP versus By Erin Mullen While in Kosovo, Meghan also was Genuine Progress Index asked to be an assistant director for Recently at a Lunch and Letters a movie filmed there called “The By Angus Smith talk Meghan Johnston, a 4th year Collector”. She was able to audition Theatre Studies student, gave a the children from her own program Thursday, 24th of November, David talk relating to her Mangle, a Wolfville town councilor, experiences dur- and Richard Hennigar, a member ing her four month of the GPI Kings County Soci- stay in Kosovo last ety, sat down with a small group summer. Meghan to explain the advantages of the had the opportu- GPI over the GNP. They showed nity to organize a that while economic measures like theatre group for the Gross Domestic Product and young children in the Gross National Product give Kosovo and worked misleading results that benefit the in conjunction mindless values of the corporate with the Center for world, the GPI (Genuine Progress Children’s Theatre Index) is designed as a more holistic Development. The approach. Hennigar gave several role of this program examples. In the world of health was to introduce care, the GDP would add up all the young children to economic exchanges (equipment, the theatre and the administrative expenditures, hir- methods of acting ing doctors and nurses) revolving while also providing around, say, heart surgeries. Each these children with a exchange registers positively for the social role in post- economy, so that at the end of the Meghan Johnston war Kosovo. day the more surgeries the better it The language barrier be- and help with the filming process. looks. People have been buying and tween Meghan and her students Meghan left Kosovo feeling selling after all. Hennigar points out presented an additional challenge intensely inspired at these chil- that such a measure can’t account though it did not stop her from get- dren’s ability to live life to the fullest for waste (waste in the system would ting her message across. She used in spite of the state of post-war actually appear as growth) or pre- several specific games which related Kosovo, and Meghan’s efforts and ventative measures, like a healthier to acting principles in order to teach achievements with these children can diet and exercise which might stave these principles to the children with- be seen as inspirational for us. off heart disease in the first place: out using language. In one exercise such preventative measures don’t she conducted, she had her students register on the GDP. Some mem- analyze their city and the people in bers of the audience wondered how what they felt to be the important real change could take place given areas. With this, they acted out what the prevalence of corporate influ- they saw, giving them a strong un- ence in the world of politics. David derstanding of their city and putting Mangle agreed that, especially at the Page  - Fall 2005 Voice4 federal and provincial levels, narrow involves both self-reflexivity and disturbing.” Slights argued that the corporate interests combined with moral judgment (“the voice of God Bastard’s silent dialogue of “himself absurd levels of influence tends to internally.”) Because the audience with himself ” accounts for his char- undermine holistic approaches to cannot access characters’ con- acter and his inconsistencies, and the economy. He held out hopes sciences directly, it must look at their marks a transformation in both the though at the municipal level where, outward actions to determine how play and in early modern England he says, corporate influence is much their behaviors are guided. from a universal to an individualized less pervasive. Mangle encouraged Slights focused on Philip conscience. people to get involved in issues at Falconbridge, also known as the Camille Slights is Profes- grass roots levels, where real change Bastard, to demonstrate her critique sor Emeritus at the University of can be made. Over all, the presenta- of character. She noted that he is Saskatchewan and has written two tion was enlightening and persuasive. the play’s most interesting character books and a number of articles on For more information on the GPI because he is both “attractive and Shakespeare’s works. Kings County Society please see www.gpikings.org. Events ote’s delusions. Don Quijote As discussed at the symposium, Camille Slights this story was revolutionary in litera- ture. It symbolized the death of the on Shakespeare’s 400 Years Later… then predominant form of fiction King John Symposium and gave birth to a new one: prose fiction. This gave rise to what we By Tessa Sheppard By Matthew J. MacDonald now consider the modern day novel. This year Acadia Dr. Davies, Head of the Acadia On September 27, as part of the University and The Lunch and Letter series, Camille Atlantic Provinces Slights spoke on the subject of Hispanists Asso- character in Shakespeare’s King John ciation was host to a in a talk alternately titled, “When is Symposium centered a Bastard not a Bastard?” Slights around the Spanish noted that most character critiques literary work Don are often rejected for embodying a Quijote, often translat- repressive ideology, and explained ed as Don Quixote in that she finds examining character in English. 400 hundred the early modern concept of con- years ago Miguel De science the most beneficial method Cervantes Saavedra of critique. wrote the first part Slights began by provid- of this classic story ing an act-by-act summary of King of Don Quixote (an John, which she said has “a strange elderly man obsessed plot.” She also underlined the idea with and caught up of betrayal in the play, commenting in perpetual delu- that “everyone is violating oaths” of sions of chivalry and some sort. Slights then began her knight errantry) and character analysis, explaining that in his would-be squire, order to understand the actions of Sancho Panza, a the characters in the play, the audi- simple minded man ence must employ a 16th century who is unable to see understanding of conscience, which through Don Quix- Wikipedia.com Fall 2005 - Page  Voice4 English Department, and a speaker tarian selections were much appreci- at the symposium, recognizes how Annual ated by non-meat eaters. Luckily, the important Don Quixote is in literary gathering this year brought quantity, history, which is perhaps why he English Department variety, and quality in both the food has felt it necessary to compel his Barbeque and atmosphere. As plates were fin- fourth year 18th Century Literature ished, English Department Head Dr. students to read this 1000 page plus By Jaclyn Stanfield Richard Davies mingled amongst the volume. It is a daunting task, but a crowd, discussing the infinite pos- rewarding one. On the eve of Thursday, Septem- sibilities that a future with an Eng- The story of Don Quixote has ber 22nd, members of the Acadia lish degree holds; Dr. Anne Quema been translated into numerous lan- English community gathered for the could also be heard talking with guages, and has also seen its influ- annual English Department Bar- senior students in regards to their ences spread throughout literature, beque from 4:30 until 7 pm. The future endeavours. music, art and culture. This is a clas- event, held behind the Huggins The evening came to a close sic story of an out-of-date knight er- Science Building, offered varie- relatively early; tables holding the rant, who fights giants that are wind- ties of delicious food for meat and food were cleared, and garbage was mills, has misadventures in castles vegetarian preferences alike. Profes- gathered from around the area by that are inns, and is continuously be- sors and students gathered on the the willing and able staff. Although ing whacked in the head and beaten. steps descending from the building, the crowd drawn to the event was Despite Don Quixote’s inabilities, plates in hand or on laps, chatting not particularly large, the setting was real world impotence, and apparent amongst each other about various relaxed and intimate; students and pathetic nature, readers have fallen issues around campus and within the professors alike enjoyed the compli- in love with and sympathized with department. Varieties of burgers, mentary food and the warm, end- this character for four hundred years dogs, soda, salads, and all the fixings of-summer weather. Just as the sun now. Don Quixote sparks the imagi- were set up in front of the Faculty went behind the clouds, the number nation and represents an idealism Club house; food was plentiful and of professors dwindled remarkably, that everyone in some way shares, the weather was sunny (for the most and the remaining four English stu- making him one of the most recog- part) and warm. The evening turned dents (myself included) left with full nizable characters in literary history, out a modest crowd, with students bellies and satisfied minds. and the most recognizable character and professors arriving as classes in Spanish literature. finished for the day. The event did We still celebrate Cervantes not simply draw in English students, Dr. Jon Saklofske contributions to literature and but also the young and perhaps will continue to do so for perhaps future English-scholar children of another four hundred years. From professors Stephen Ahern and Jes- A fresh face for Aca- this narrative, an era of fiction had sica Slights – who enjoyed the food dia’s English Depart- its foundation laid. Its characters be- and crowd with delight and curios- ment came household names and continue ity. When 5:30 came, Ralph Stewart to entertain readers to this day. For arrived with several members of his By Jaclyn Stanfield these reasons, and many more, we fourth year seminar class, who car- have come to appreciate the story ried on discussing the materials of The latest addition to the Acadia of Don Quixote, and have happily the class while eating their salads and University Faculty, Jon Saklofske, is listed it as a classic. Acadia Universi- veggie burgers. I say veggie burg- a breath of fresh air to the English ty is proud to have brought together ers because by 5:30, the meat varie- Department. His background, inter- scholars from different universities ties had been eaten up. Fourth year ests, and approach to teaching em- and academic backgrounds to cel- honours student Anna Galway was body the Acadia teaching spirit both ebrate this 400th anniversary of this glad that there was anything left; in technologically and academically. timeless literary work, Don Quijote. the previous year, more food had to Born in Calgary, Dr. Sak- be ordered for late-arriving, hungry lofske spent much of his life in the English students. Likewise, the vege- West. He completed his under- Page 10 - Fall 2005 Voice4 When asked what brought him to Acadia, he spoke of the charming nature of small-town Wolfville and the various benefits at the University itself. “The Acadia spirit is really strong,” he says, “[and] there is such a feeling of commu- nity.” Although he does admit that the new on-campus wireless internet poses some problems in the class- room, Dr. Saklofske enjoys the small class sizes and the overall sense of community at Acadia. New to the faculty this fall, Jon teaches the Romantics and the first year introduction to reading and writing critically. His teaching philosophy is simple, yet embod- ies much of what Acadia stands for academically. His approach facilitates a positive relationship between pro- fessor and student, and he continu- ally encourages his students to find their individual voice. “I see myself as somebody who guides discussion rather than imposes [it],” he says of his approach in the classroom. “I ask students to explore…and try to transmit enthusiasm. I think we learn better than way”. Indeed.

Lance LaRocque Words on Tap 3: graduate degree at the University Blake’s composite art does not One for the Road of Saskatchewan, where he studied impose a particular system or narra- English Literature and Philosophy tive upon its audience. In addition By Zachary May and completed his Master’s. His to teaching two English classes, Dr. passionate interests in Romanti- Saklofske continues to research this On an evening in early November, cism led him to Montreal, where he relationship, saying that his concerns the Department of English and completed his PhD. The focus of lie in the limited narrative of current the English Society gathered in the his work at McGill remains of great media. Michener Lounge for an evening interest to him; his research explores Outside of his teaching and dedicated to “literary instances of the writings of William Blake to the research interests, he spends most intoxication.” relationship of language and writ- of his time with his wife and young Leading up to the evening ing to other media. Recently, Dr. son. “I will really do anything that there was concern among faculty Saklofske presented a similar topic [my son] does,” Jon says. He also that most available material had been at MIT, where he argued that unlike enjoys mountain biking, playing exhausted, and that a change of today’s media influences (i.e. video video games, listening to music, and literary topic might be in order. games like “Grand Theft Auto”) collecting old toys and art. Despite these worries a

Fall 2005 - Page 11 Voice4 strong student showing and spir- projector screen that was set up on world, it will pay to be able to use ited faculty readings breathed new the dance floor for the occasion. these new tools to effectively express life into the well-worn topic. Many Hypermedia (if it can actually opinions. Students may as well di- members of the audience left be defined here) is an experimen- versify their skills of argumentation without having read their pocketed tal medium that presents scholarly while the opportunity is available. selections, although few left disap- research in the form of web-pages. Although the venue and circum- pointed. This format diversifies the academic stances were not ideal for this event The event drew a larger than approach by putting less empha- (Wednesday night, being wing-night, expected crowd and ran well beyond sis on the traditional written essay. meant students were noshing and the two-hour schedule. Success can Hypermedia integrates information talking away at nearby tables while certainly be attributed to a strong with images, trades plain text in for sound from the big-screen intruded sense of community that has grown limitless colour combinations, and from a distance), it was an interac- over the past two years within the thereby reinvents the standardized tive and detailed introduction to the English Society and in the Depart- essay with entirely new dimen- value of hypermedia and its contri- ment at large. sions. Take a look at the Women’s bution to the Acadia classroom. By most accounts the stu- Centre website to understand how dent participants managed to lift the hypermedia enhances information… evening, which in the past has been http://plato.acadiau.ca/courses/ heavily subsidised by faculty efforts. ahha/engl3793/womens-studies/ The English Society is cur- index.htm. rently planning a second event on a Dr. Quéma presented student different topic. web pages that were designed for a The money raised was intended to Twentieth Century British Culture help send students to the 26th an- course last year. Those enrolled in nual Atlantic Undergraduate English this course were given a great deal Conference at UPEI in March, but of freedom when selecting topics because of the cost of bar staff the for their research. For this reason, net profit is estimated at somewhere Dr. Quéma explained, the course between $4 and $6. was doubly challenging. Students had to “develop and refine skills of argumentation” in the new medium Voice4 is typeset in while also experiencing the kind of 12 pt Garamond First Axe Lounge free reign usually reserved for those with Arial Headers working at the grad level. Speaker’s Series A few students from the Twenti- Layout and logo design by: eth Century British Culture course Students Praise were in attendance at the Axe and Interdisciplinary spoke up to share their opinions of Approach the course and the medium. On the first point, the consensus was By Ryan Dodington that student self-direction was very worthwhile. On the second, one Voice4 is printed at On Wednesday, September 28th student commented that hyper- the Acadia Print Shop 2005, the co-ordinator of the media’s value rests in the way that Women’s Studies program, Dr. Anne it “pries students out of the Arts For more information on this Quéma, opened the Axe Lounge convention of essay writing.” All publiacation and Acadia’s Speaker series with an informal BA students who have begun grum- Department of English visit lecture on the topic of hypermedia. bling about potential employability ace.acadiau.ca/english Approximately twenty five students after their degree ought to listen up. sat at tables facing a free-standing In an increasingly computer-centric Page 12 - Fall 2005