Fall/September 2004

A Setting for Synergy Undergraduate education at USC College encourages students to pursue an education that is rich in experience, both inside and outside of the class- room. The curriculum is structured to provide a coherent, integrated intro- duction to the breadth of knowledge that a “well-educated person” needs. With nearly 80 majors and 50 minors in the College to choose from, the environment helps students discover their passions and talents. The College’s Faculty Recruitment Initiative has improved the student-to- faculty ratio and diversified the faculty, exposing students to cutting-edge researchers and multidisciplinary scholars. Faculty are personable, approachable teachers who help stu- dents understand the terms ‘rigor’ and ‘critical thinking.’ In the 1990s, USC faculty and lead- ers worked for three years on a plan to completely revamp the undergraduate curriculum as part of a blueprint to Beyond Book Smart: International Relations Major Rivka Katz (VP of Hillel’s SC Tzedek and alternative spring break coordinator); Bac/MD move the university into a position of Program Participant Chad Agy; and Psychology Major Patricia Gonzalez (Readers Plus tutor and notetaker for disability services and programs) leadership. The result was a more coherent and integrated curriculum in the College for every USC undergrad- Undergrads Embrace Variety and Richness uate. Whether they are majoring in business, journalism or biology, all USC undergraduates take a core set of courses taught by full-time, tenure- had Agy matriculated into the freshman class of 2008 at USC College admittance into the Bac/MD program track faculty. this fall. He was the captain of his high school soccer team, concertmas- made all the difference. The curriculum consists of classes ter of the orchestra and editor of his high school newspaper. He got a The number of applications to the in General Education, Writing and 1430 on his SAT and took 11 AP classes. In his spare time, he enjoys College rose in 2004, the admit rate Diversity—and ensures every USC fishing, hiking and biking with his friends in his hometown undergraduate the opportunity to of Park City, Utah. Unlike most of his peers, Agy knows what he acquire the intellectual skills of critical C Undergraduate education, the theme of this issue, wants to do with his life. analysis, empirical verification and He wants to become a doctor. is rich in experience both inside and outside of the written and oral communication they Agy applied to USC and to the Baccalaureate/MD Program at classroom. In a special insert, Dean Joseph Aoun need to tackle any major they choose USC College last fall as a high school senior. He won acceptance to unveils the principles that guide undergraduate during their College career. both, meaning that following his senior year of college, there will be “College graduates are going to an open spot reserved for him in the first-year class at the Keck education at USC College. All students, he says, have multiple careers, some of them School of Medicine of USC. should be prepared to lead a rich, full, life. not yet describable. The purpose of The Bac/MD program is for students who know they are interest- the College education is not just to ed in a medical career, but want a rounded undergraduate education prepare students for their first job, but outside of stringent pre-med requirements. was reduced and the College exceed- to prepare them to maximize the pos- “Initially, I was attracted to USC because of its reputation as one of the best ed its enrollment goal—clear sibilities and opportunities for the rest schools on the West Coast,” Agy explains, and “its pleasant climate and diversi- indications that the College is attract- of their lives,” says Joseph Aoun, dean ty.” In the end, USC was his college choice over Yale, Dartmouth, UCLA, ing and matriculating more talented of USC College. “We don’t want our UCSB, UCSD and CU-Boulder. He claims that a Trustee Scholarship and his students than ever before. continued on page 4

Undergraduate Education: Beyond the Old Paradigm VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3

Training Smart Well-Prepared The Modern Healing by Recruiting Writers for Life Lecture Synthesis Success PAGE 5 PAGE 6 PAGE 12 PAGE 15 PAGES 16 & 17 PHOTOS BY PHIL CHANNING A MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN In a special magazine insert, I elab- orate on some of the principles guiding our undergraduate education A New Reality at USC College. Our goal is for men and women to have a challenging, first-rate educational experience here, one that prepares them to thrive in imes have changed. expertise. It is no longer sufficient to whatever path they choose. Today’s college students will know how to do something; rather, it When our students graduate, with likely have several very different is essential to know how to learn to a taste for research, overseas study, careers over their lifetime. They do something new. and community service on their Twill live longer than previous genera- In this issue of USC College palette, they should be uniquely pre- tions, in a society that changes rapidly. Magazine, we feature undergraduate pared to handle the challenges of a What students end up doing for a pro- education. On these pages you’ll changing society—prepared to live a Dean Aoun fession may not even exist today. meet students who consider variety rich, full life. Just 25 years ago, computers and depth to be a key ingredient in began transforming our lives in their undergraduate experience. What you’ll find, is that College radically unforeseen ways. Today, Many of our students are combining students are preparing for much more discoveries are being made in majors in widely disparate fields, like than their first job—they are preparing numerous emerging fields. With each neuroscience and philosophy, or clas- for a lifetime of learning. Our faculty new breakthrough, comes a new sics and religion, while picking up an challenge students to think analytical- career path—some not yet imagined. unrelated minor along the way, per- ly, write carefully, express themselves Joseph Aoun Clearly today’s society is based on haps global communication, critical in different media and develop their Dean of USC College knowledge, as opposed to narrow approaches to leadership or Italian. own views about the world. Anna H. Bing Professor

WRIGLEY INSTITUTE ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER flow statement. We never really Bob McKnight intended for it to take off. I was hav- ing the time of my life,” McKnight Surfing & Science says. Ten years later, they brought in $18 million in sales, went public and he genius of USC alumnus Bob McKnight studied for his classes dur- continued to grow until 1991. McKnight lies in his ability to ing the week. But when the weekend “That was a really tough time. The combine his personal passions came, he often disappeared from cam- Gulf War started, and then there were with his public life as a business pus, driving the coast of California shark attacks on both coasts. Syringes Tman and, increasingly, as a leader of and Mexico to visit friends and surf. were washing up on the beaches, and philanthropic efforts that promote Perhaps the most important time in there were a lot of warnings about ocean conservation and environmental his undergraduate experience came skin cancer, spending time out in the education in southern California. when he signed up for Semester at sun. The surf lifestyle market was on McKnight’s ability to mix work and Sea, a floating college campus that cir- the way down, and our company play has served him well. Starting cled the Pacific, with stops in Hawaii, dropped from about 90 million to less from a passion for surf and an under- Japan, Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, than 60 million in annual sales.” standing of the nascent global surf Thailand, Australia, New Zealand “In a way, it’s one of my greatest Partnership supports a number of culture, McKnight has overseen the and, most important for McKnight’s satisfactions, to have come out of that activities and programs, designed to transformation of a two-person venture future, in Bali, Indonesia. tailspin. We emerged as a growing use children’s love of the ocean to in making surf shorts into a global “The trip opened up my whole company. We turned the thing around, enhance and improve science and company that generates over $1 billion life. I fell in love with the tropics, and diversified—starting the women’s environmental education within K-12 in annual sales. with surfing. I went back to Bali as brand Roxy—and went into retail and classes. QuikScience builds on the McKnight, who graduated from soon as I could, and that’s where I snowboarding among other ventures,” work of the federally funded USC in 1976, hopes to bring a similar met my wife, Annette, and Jeff McKnight says. USC/UCLA Center for Ocean philosophy to science education, with Hakman,” a professional surfer who But it was clearer than ever that, as Sciences Education Excellence an aim of building a sense of environ- later became his business partner, he puts it, “if we don’t have a safe, (COSEE)-West, one of only seven mental stewardship in young people, McKnight says. clean, healthy ocean, we won’t have a centers nationwide. his most loyal customers. Soon after graduating, McKnight business anymore.” “Now that Quiksilver has reached “The ocean is invaluable,” says partnered with Hakman to buy the It was partly his concerns about the a certain size, we feel that we have a McKnight, chief executive officer of U.S. rights to the Quiksilver brand looming challenge of ocean conserva- duty to give back, to support the sport the surf and snowboard apparel com- name and the innovative, custom tion that led McKnight to start getting [of surfing], the culture and the envi- pany Quiksilver, Inc. of Huntington “surfboard shorts” made by the small more involved with USC College, ronment,” says McKnight, who has Beach. “And a key to keeping oceans original operation based in Australia. where he now serves on the Advisory remained an avid surfer, snowboarder, clean and safe is educating the next “Everyone wanted a pair. The label Board of the USC Wrigley Institute golfer and traveler throughout his life. generation about the importance of became synonymous with great surf- for Environmental Studies. McKnight also serves on the Board the environment, and keeping kids ing, but you couldn’t buy a pair Although he has been a loyal of The Ocean Institute, located in interested in science.” outside of Australia,” he says. Trojan for many years, it was not until Dana Point, Calif. Quiksilver works as “A lot of kids are intimidated by In their first year, Hakman and he met College Dean Joseph Aoun a partner with the United Nation’s science, so the idea is to make the McKnight made 600 pairs of shorts, that McKnight realized how he could Reef Check program, helping to mon- curriculum more fun,” he says. with McKnight putting the two snaps give back to USC and to the commu- itor the health of remote coral reefs McKnight has always managed to into every pair, and Hakman ironing nity in his own style. worldwide, and supports the work of balance his love of adventure and the finished product. They distributed Last year, USC College, the the Surfrider Foundation and Surf board riding with an equally intense the shorts themselves, and didn’t give Wrigley Institute and Quiksilver cre- Aid, a group battling malaria on the drive to succeed in his professional up their other jobs (McKnight worked ated the QuikScience Partnership Mentawai Islands off the coast of life. As a business management stu- as a bartender) for a long time. “We with a generous gift from the Indonesia. dent at USC in the early 1970s, never had a business plan or a cash Quiksilver Foundation. The —Eva Emerson AOUN PHOTO BY PHILIP CHANNING; MCKNIGHT COURTESY OF QUIKSILVER, INC.

2 USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences Fall/September 2004 VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3

A Golden Collaboration

n an innovative collaboration, The Huntington Library and USC’s College of Letters, Arts & Sciences have established a new scholarly Icenter dedicated to examining California’s history, economy, cultural influence, demographics and promi- nence on the world stage. The Huntington-USC Institute on California and the West links out- standing faculty from USC College with the Huntington’s unparalleled collections on the history of the west- ern United States, including rare books and manuscripts, maps, photo- graphs and other treasures. The Institute is directed by William Deverell, who recently joined the USC faculty as a professor of histo- ry following eight years as a Caltech faculty member. “Preserving and studying the rich history of California and the West is a priority for USC College. Many of our historians are leaders in this field and we have been recruiting more faculty A 16th century nautical atlas by cartogra- with similar expertise,” says USC pher Joan Martines depicts the North Pacific with the coastlines of Mexico, College Dean Joseph Aoun. California and Japan. “Wedding this expert group of USC College faculty to the Huntington’s world-class archive will expand our spective—including what factors horizons and magnify our capabilities. shaped this place, how that knowledge This partnership provides a multiplier helps explain who we are and where, effect, giving us resources we wouldn’t perhaps, we are headed,” says Koblik. otherwise have, and positions the The Institute will bring together Institute as the premier destination for historians and other scholars, stu- scholars, graduate students and post- dents, writers, journalists and docs who are interested in advancing policymakers to investigate and their research debate the rich on California history of to even higher California and heights,” says “Preserving and studying the rich the American Aoun. West, with full California landscape photographer Carleton Watkins played a great role in populariz- The Insti- history of California and the West access to The ing the landscape of California, especially Yosemite. Donner Lake is pictured here. tute offers is a priority for USC College. Many of Huntington’s team-taught rare materials. history cours- our historians are leaders in this The Insti- “The Huntington’s phenomenal enhance graduate education at USC es at the field and we have been recruiting tute will archive is tantalizing to scholars,” says and help recruit graduate students graduate provide a valu- Deverell. “The rare material, ranging from other top institutions. level, sponsors more faculty with similar expertise.” able oppor- from personal and business papers to The Institute’s benefits will extend a wide variety tunity for 21st- photographs, maps and government beyond academia. Experts from uni- of scholarly century documents, is invaluable to people versities and non-university settings —USC College Dean Joseph Aoun. investigations scholarship who really want to understand the his- will come together to study contempo- and offers an and intellectu- tory of the western United States in rary California issues. Themes range array of public al energy to the last 250 years.” from public health and the history of symposia, explain 18th, The Institute will offer USC medicine to visual culture and Latino workshops and conferences. 19th and 20th-century California and graduate students access to the identity. “In California, we have the fifth the American West to the general Huntington’s collection of rare books The Institute will sponsor its first largest economy in the world, remark- public and the next generation of and manuscripts, as they write the panel discussion on California history able innovation and achievement, historians. new books and articles to be used by at the annual Organization of enormous diversity and demographic With the Institute in place, the the next generation of scholars. In American Historians meeting in San change over time, and a state that has Huntington will serve as an even more addition, Institute graduate courses Francisco in April. A week later the more influence worldwide than many powerful magnet for researchers. USC will be taught in the classrooms of same panel will explore the question countries do,” says Steven S. Koblik, faculty and graduate students will the Huntington’s new Munger “What Does California Mean?” at a president of The Huntington Library, have opportunities to study for a Research Center. symposium. Panelists include Kevin Art Collections and Botanical Gardens semester or summer at the Because graduate students in histo- Starr, former California State Librarian in San Marino. Huntington, which has been one of ry and allied fields will be introduced and USC College history professor, “The Institute will do what no the nation’s most important scholarly to the Huntington’s sources and schol- Miriam Pawel of the Los Angeles Times other has—look at California and the centers of western Americana and ars from the moment they enter and Janet Fireman, editor of the schol- rest of the West, from a historical per- California inquiry since the 1920s. graduate school, the Institute will arly journal California History. MAP AND YOSEMITE IMAGE COURTESY OF THE HUNTINGTON

VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3 Fall/September 2004 USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences 3 The Undergraduate Experience

A Setting for Synergy of the best undergraduate honors continued from page 1 programs in the country and consists of four interdisciplinary core classes students to specialize in just one taught around distinct themes. These thing; we want them to experience are augmented with linked writing many.” classes and an annual conference to encourage undergraduate research. Variety and Richness The College also offers many new The complexities of 21st-century approaches to classroom instruction. life demand an ever-widening breadth Some involve technological advances, of knowledge. Many careers require creating multimedia lectures and expertise in more than one field. A seminars. Another approach is inter- biologist will need math and comput- disciplinary learning, such as the ing to go along with biology or course “Science, Technology, and chemistry, while a business major Society,” led by molecular biologists might require enhanced writing skills. Peter Shugarman and Robert Baker, That’s why the College encour- with guest lecturers from the depart- ages undergraduate students to ments of history, physics, astronomy, combine major and minor skills, and earth sciences and religion. to cross traditional paths to gain a Linguistics Associate Professor broader educational experience. Dani Byrd and Psychology Associate Students may take a minor that rein- Professor Toby Mintz are also joining forces their major, or major in Hands-on Learning: Undergrads test ideas and create new knowledge. Pictured here: A up this fall to teach “Language and something completely different from third-year biology major at work in an organic chemistry lab. Mind,” an exploration of, among their minor to widen their scope of other things, language within cogni- knowledge. The university’s in Creative Writing and Spanish, “Writing to be Read.” tive science. Renaissance Scholars program while Jordan is majoring in Creative And, they participated in the Whether taking classes in the rewards students whose majors and Writing, with a double minor in Thematic Option honors program, Core, such as “The Universe,” “The minors are from widely separate Italian and Cinema. Aaron studied which Aaron calls a “challenging and Nature of Human Health and fields of study. abroad in Madrid and Jordan ventured more intimate alternative to General Disease” and “Race and Class in Los Dean of Academic Programs Sarah over to Florence. Both intend to travel Education requirements.” Each year, Angeles,” or a pre-med or architec- Pratt is responsible for the academic and study in Brazil next spring. just under 200 freshman participate tural requirement, students at USC substance of College courses—from They both took a Freshman in “T.O.”—as it is known around College have the foundation for a Freshman Seminars all the way up to Seminar—specially designed courses campus—and study with USC’s star solid, undergraduate education. Ph.D. programs. She notes that she is for incoming freshman taught by dis- academics. The curriculum has been —Katherine Yungmee Kim and gratified at the number of students tinguished faculty members—called cited by several college guides as one Nicole St.Pierre grounding their education in tradition- al disciplines, such as economics, French and biology, and then using this foundation to explore the world in a more comprehensive way, by adding components of professional The Numbers training, study abroad and service I 6,210 USC undergraduates currently pursue a major in the College. learning. Pratt is an advocate of the “Not I The Class of 2008 is the strongest in the College’s 125-year history. To date, enrolled students boast an average SAT Me” experience—where students score of 1353—a remarkable 13 point increase from last year. delve into areas that are outside of their initial educational expectations. I In 2004, all ten of USC’s Renaissance Scholar prizewinners had a major and/or minor in the College. Since the “A pre-med student busily building program’s inception, 68 of the 70 Renaissance Scholar prizewinners pursued a major and/or minor in the College. up a strong profile in biology and I chemistry creates a ‘Not Me’ experi- Ten of USC’s last 12 valedictorians majored in the College (1992-2004); 11 of our last 23 salutatorians majored ence when she decides to spend a in the College (1993-2004). semester abroad in Madrid focusing I Every College faculty member teaches undergraduate courses, even Distinguished and University Professors. on medieval Spanish architecture,” Pratt explains. Another example I All General Education courses are taught by full-time faculty. would be an art history student interning at a biotech firm. I More than 75 percent of the Associates Award for Excellence in Teaching at USC go to College faculty. “The College’s programs, courses, I College freshmen come to campus from all 50 states and more than 149 countries. majors and minors are encouraging students to reach beyond the old par- I Students jokingly call the College’s honors program Thematic Option, “Traumatic Option.” One explanation: On average, adigms,” she says. One example: literature-based courses call for reading up to 2,500 pages per semester, while social science and history courses, with The College offers more than 20 more dense nonfiction texts, usually weigh in at 1,500 pages. cross-departmental minors, such as Biotechnology, Arabic and Middle I The College offers nearly 80 majors and 50 minors. Some new minors include global communication, critical East Studies, and Environmental approaches to leadership, and peace and conflict studies. Natural Sciences. I Last year about 2,000 USC students participated in the College’s service learning program called Joint Educational Beyond the Old Paradigm Project (JEP). Seniors (and twins) Aaron and Jordan Kandell have taken full advan- I On average, College students complete 3 to 4 internships while at USC. tage of embracing College opportunities. Aaron is a double major PHOTO BY KATHERINE YUNGMEE KIM

4 USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences Fall/September 2004 VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3 Better Writers (Not Just Better Papers) Angelingo?

Program perfects process, critique and craft The bright Angeleno sun peeks behind two curving palm trees on the home page of the new student-created and stu- dent-run website AngeLingo. The top of orah Ashe- McNalley’s writing the page boldly declares, “We look to Los students are scien- Angeles/ For the language we use/ tists. Some are London is dead.” Npre-med, some are dental The student journal of arts and cul- hygienists and others are ture claims to hold “a mirror up to Los majoring in such fields as Angeles,” in order to “look at the rest of sports medicine, occupation- al therapy and public health. the world through a distinctly L.A. prism.” Her students are pursuing AngeLingo launched its first issue last careers in health care and April, funded by a $10,000 Innovative generally speaking, when Teaching grant from USC’s Center for they are asked to write for Excellence in Teaching. Two senior Writing their classes, they are often Program lecturers, Kathi Inman Berens turning in lab reports. Ashe-McNalley teaches and Norah Ashe-McNalley, wrote the suc- Writing 340—an upper-divi- cessful proposal, motivated by the need sion writing requirement for to showcase undergraduate writing talent. all undergraduates at USC— A majority of the stories on the site and she leads the Health were produced in Writing 340, a general Sciences writing workshops. education class that fulfills the upper-divi- Her 340 students are not only assigned to read and sion writing requirement in the College. write about their scientific Both Berens and Ashe-McNalley are 340 fields, they are invited to deeply con- instructors. sider and interpret some of its With more than 20 articles written by implications. Program offered Composition 101 and more seriously and they more deeply students and faculty, the inaugural issue In her workshops, students read Dr. 102—a mandatory, two-term freshman understand the importance of writing included such thought-provoking essays Atul Gawande’s essays from writing curriculum. But in 1997, as an in terms of both their academic and Complications: A Surgeon’s Notes on an integral part of the university’s reor- professional careers. as “Downtown Los Angeles: The Politics Imperfect Science. They have been ganization of its undergraduate general Writing 340—“Advanced of Pride and Prejudice,” a piece on the asked to analyze the Tuskegee study, education curriculum, the Writing Writing”—offers instruction in writing new Disney Concert Hall and “Pre- in order to examine how such ethical Program split the year-long require- for various audiences on topics related Implantation Diagnosis: An Inevitable transgressions in medicine could occur. ment into one freshman semester and to a student’s professional or discipli- Quest for Human Perfection?” that dis- Dan Witcher, a senior majoring in another upper-division semester: nary interests. The College offers five cusses the medical ethics of normally biology, says that in high school he Writing 140 and 340. versions of Writing 340—Arts and was taught to write essays that fell This curricular structure represent- Humanities, Health Sciences, Natural fertile couples choosing to undergo in- into a certain format. “Every paper ed, at the time and even now, an Sciences, Pre-Law, and Social vitro fertilization to screen each turned out the same,” he laments. innovative approach in terms of uni- Sciences. There are 20 students in developing embryo for genetic disease But in 340, he found the emphasis versity-level writing instruction. each class, taught by full-time facul- prior to implantation in the mother’s was on “finding my own voice and Writing 140—“Writing and Critical ty—all of whom have their doctorates. womb. style, and embracing that rather than Reasoning”—has three principal Last year, student assessment of Five USC College undergraduates sit trying to fit my paper into a precon- themes: process, critique and craft. 340 ranked an outstanding 4.3 (on a ceived mold.” Each class is capped at 17. five-point scale) and their evaluations on the editorial board of this website. Ashe-McNalley and her colleagues Each Writing 140 section is affiliat- of the faculty reached an unprecedent- The site allows students to read each in the Writing Program are committed ed with a general education lecture ed 4.7. “We’re gratified to see that other’s work on a wide variety of subjects, to making “better writers, not just course addressing particular social students have not only accepted the and the online medium allows ideas and better papers.” They offer reading issues such as “The Holocaust,” upper-division course,” says Holland, information to be linked and exchanged material to broaden the young writers’ “Environmental Issues in Society,” “but they have embraced it.” in ways that conventional magazines or perspectives and interrogate the stu- and ‘Poverty and Welfare in America.” More than evaluations, student dents to arrive at new ideas. Finally, The lecture course, with its discussion accomplishment is the true litmus test newspapers cannot support. they teach them proper grammar and section, provides students with the for the success of the Writing Program. “People are definitely interested in form—tools for articulation and for concepts, theories, and topical infor- Genuine improvement can be charted being a part of AngeLingo—as editors, learning how to be their own editors. mation that form the basis for the in the quality of writing between the contributors and readers,” says Mindy essay assignments in Writing 140. freshman and junior years. Menjou, a student editor. “People recog- 25 Years Strong Dividing the classes in this manner It is also due to the quality of the nize the uniqueness of this project and The Writing Program at USC allows Writing 140 to focus more thinker. College was established as an inde- intensely upon their writing and writ- “Our goal,” the program states, “is find it attractive. With AngeLingo, we have pendent unit in 1978, in response to a ing process. to make better writers. There is no created and filled a new niche, not just at renewed interest in rhetoric and lin- Writing Program Director John better way to do this than by demon- USC, but in the academic community at guistics and a widespread cultural Holland notes that by the time stu- strating that writing is a process large.” perception that writing needed to be dents are juniors and seniors, they through which we arrive at a greater http://angelingo.usc.edu taught at an undergraduate level. have matured as both writers and crit- knowledge of ourselves.” For nearly two decades, the Writing ical thinkers. They take their writing —K.Y.K. —K.Y.K. PHOTO BY CORBIS

VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3 Fall/September 2004 USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences 5

The Undergraduate Experience

Well-Prepared for Life With an eye towards tomorrow, students blend the liberal arts

rtes Liberales is a term that harkens back to the days of the ancient vey by the National Association of Colleges and employers. It reported that Romans. It comes from the concept of knowledge that is essential for graduates with undergraduate degrees in political science and English literature every citizen, and it stresses thoughtful and effective engagement with saw their salaries jump nearly 4 percent from last year. (More than business the world. administration majors.) Not to mention, many of America’s top CEOs were lib- AAs the core of a larger university, the College’s liberal arts education is prepar- eral arts majors. There’s Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, a medieval ing students for a rich, full life. Because career patterns are changing, students history and philosophy major; and Walt Disney CEO Michael Eisner an English will likely have numerous careers throughout their lifetime. To prepare for this literature and theatre major. Federated Department Stores President Sue new reality, the College offers many academic options—innovative programs, Kronick was an East Asian history major. majors and cross-disciplinary minors—that teach critical thinking and analytical The following four College undergraduates are among many who have pur- and persuasive writing for those who will be tomorrow’s professionals in the pri- sued a liberal arts education designed to provide them with a solid foundation vate and public sectors. for an accomplished career. The diversity of their academic concentrations rep- “Who would want to hire even the most highly trained professional if that resents the breadth of academic programming at the College and enables the person could not read a text thoughtfully or understand a social conflict with students to explore their personal and professional interests. some degree of sophistication?” asks Richard Fliegel, associate dean of academic —K.Y.K., N.S. programs. Students who put in four years of hard work will find comfort in a recent sur-

MAJOR: Art History MAJOR: Health and Humanity MINOR: Italian MINOR: Visual Culture NAME: Anne Aubert-Santelli NAME: Jeana Marinelli HOMETOWN: Irvine, California HOMETOWN: Vista, California PARTICIPANT: Thematic Option Honors Core Program

“I have been pre-med since freshman year, but “I am an Art History major, and will be an Italian could never gain the courage to commit to a minor. I became interested in Art History after tak- major until last spring. I strongly believe that I ing AP Art History in high school. As I was both a dancer and hard didn’t declare because I was waiting for USC to create something per- worker, I felt that Art History was the perfect blend of my creative and fectly suited for me. And they did—Health and Humanity. It mixes intellectual sides. As for Italian, I fell in love with the language after biology, chemistry and physics with more liberal endeavors such as studying abroad this summer in Verona.” anthropology, psychology, sociology and religion. On Thematic Option: “At first, I was unsure that USC College could “In this case, keeping my options open proved to be the more aus- offer me small and rigorous classes with top university professors. picious choice; I have had the opportunity to pursue the requirements However, after reading through the TO packet, I knew that I had found for medical school while simultaneously exploring other options.” the intellectual environment I was looking for.”

SUMMER ’04 INTERNSHIP: Life Through Art Foundation, a Los RESEARCH PROJECT: Helping Professor Heather James (of the English Angeles non-profit that raises money to support arts education for department) edit the Renaissance section in the Norton Anthology of underprivileged children. World Literature.

FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS: An additional minor in English and/or business.

MAJOR: History, International Relations MINOR: Peace and Conflict Studies NAME: Daleep Sawhney HOMETOWN: New Delhi, India MINOR: Critical Approaches to Leadership NAME: Mariah Martin “This minor has offered me a greater insight into HOMETOWN: Fort Collins, Colorado historical global violence and the various reasons as to why it has been a theme and continues to “Leadership is a vital part of any organization, so be a theme throughout our planet and history. I grew up in Kashmir, studying it has made me a more aware individual a region of both India and Pakistan that is a stormy issue of con- in terms of self-awareness, emotional intelligence tention between both nations. Violence was for many years a normal and awareness of situations and other people. I part of my life. I was also in England during the Kosovo war when really enjoyed REL 375, which was a Business Ethics course [in the swarms of ethnic Albanian immigrants sought asylum there. Peace Religion department].” and Conflict Studies has provided me with the opportunity to learn how to form an independent informed decision about the true SUMMER ’04 INTERNSHIP: Drama Activity Leader at Barretstown nature of an international dispute, therefore enabling me to consider Gang Camp in Ireland for children with serious illnesses. and obtain a impartial theoretical resolution.” FUTURE PLANS: Will move to London this fall to be a research assis- SUMMER ’04 INTERNSHIP: The Red Cross in New Delhi. “My focus tant for Melcrum Publishing, a company that specializes in corporate this summer has been getting international aid to families in war- communications. “Eventually, I may go into consulting, but I’d like to stricken Kashmir and doing development studies about combine my passions for communication, leadership and ethics and go poverty-stricken regions in India.” into executive and life coaching.” MARINELLI PHOTO BY PHILIP CHANNING; SAWHNEY BY: JENNIFER GANTWERKER

6 USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences Fall/September 2004 VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3 The Scholar’s Apprentice Undergrads join faculty to create new knowledge

s a sophomore, Nina A Passion for Learning Hansra says: “I just knew Senior Jeff Rich always wanted research wasn’t for me.” to do research. But the astronomy This summer, after major and Russian minor needed Agraduating from USC College money for school, and a job left with degrees in biology and reli- him little free time. So Rich was gion, two years of lab work under intrigued when John Bowlt, pro- her belt, and a publication in a fessor of Slavic languages and prestigious journal, Hansra has a literature and art history, asked if different view of herself and of he’d like to do research on the research. relationship of traditional Russian “I pictured this dark, quiet, Christian paintings—called lonely lab. I thought I’d be too icons—and the innovations of afraid to ask questions and that early 20th century Russian artists I’d mess up all of the experi- like Wassily Kandinsky. ments,” she says. “But it wasn’t “Art was a completely new like that at all. I ended up under- field of learning for me,” says standing what we were doing and Rich, who admits: “I like to learn why we were doing it.” anything I can.” Currently a first-year medical A grant from the Center for student at UC San Francisco, In the lab of Caleb Finch (right), junior Yizhou Du found her calling as a research scientist. Civic and Religious Culture Hansra plans to do research in enabled Rich to spend hours in neuroscience and medical ethics, the archives of the Institute of and aims for a career as both a physician and an academic scholar. Increasingly, Modern Russian Culture, which Bowlt directs. Rich translated articles from USC College undergraduate students are teaming up with faculty to do original 1914 that showed the emergence of a more secular view of icons. Last spring, research and pursue scholarly endeavors. Rich finished building a searchable database of the articles, along with The rapid growth in the undergraduate research grant program funded by detailed abstracts and images. Provost Lloyd Armstrong, Jr. has helped a record number of College students to “The biggest thrill was learning all of this new stuff and then telling people sign on as scholars’ apprentices in recent years, says Alexander Jun, director of about it,” says Rich. “People say to me ‘Why Russian icons?’ I say, ‘Why? the Office of Undergraduate Programs, which distributes the grants. Last year, Why study anything? It’s interesting.’” the Provost earmarked $350,000 to support the programs—a huge increase from The project helped prepare him for his next intellectual odyssey—a project the $100,000 allocated in 1999. with solar scientist Edward Rhodes, professor of physics and astronomy, in fall. “The chance to work alongside some of the world’s top scholars is one of the major attractions of attending a research university,” says Jun. “Student An Early Start research turns the banking model of education—where facts and figures are “I really like research,” says USC College junior Yizhou Du, a psychobiolo- deposited into student minds—on its head. Research trains students to think gy major and budding biomedical scientist, who found research early on. on their feet.” Her first job, at age 16, was at the Rocky When faculty and students work together, learn- Mountain Laboratories in her hometown of ing can take place on a number of levels, says Hamilton, Montana (population 3,700). It was Danielle Mihram, director of the USC Center for either the local lab, she says, or waiting tables Excellence in Teaching. “Faculty mentors convey at her family’s restaurant. the explicit knowledge of a discipline, but they also Funded by an undergraduate research share a wealth of tacit knowledge about their field grant, Du spent this summer studying lipopro- of enquiry, career options and choices, and lifelong tein gene expression in brain cells with decisions. This occurs at a critically formative time mentor Caleb Finch, the ARCO/William F. in our undergraduates’ intellectual development,” Kieschnick Chair in the Neurobiology of she says. Aging, and his team, which Du first joined as a freshman. Confidence Building Du’s project is a part of the lab’s larger Hansra credits her mentor, neuroscientist effort to understand Alzheimer’s disease and Michael Quick, for revealing the excitement of the effects of aging in the brain. Learning how research, helping her reach her own potential and to use cutting-edge molecular biology tech- for more concrete things, like reviewing her med- niques, she’s investigating just how the brain ical school essay. protein apolipoprotein E (apoE), which Hansra received a Women in Science and rebuilds brain membranes after injury, helps Engineering (WiSE) grant for her study, guided by protect brain cells from Alzheimer’s. She’s also Quick, of a key brain chemical called GABA, which studying how estrogen and old age affect the helps regulate communications among brain cells. apoE gene’s activity. Low levels of GABA have been linked to epileptic “The best part of science is being able to seizures. “The experience really built up my confi- say conclusively, ‘This is what we found out,’” dence,” says Hansra. She and Quick, an associate says Du. “The most challenging? Under- professor of biology in the College, co-authored a Senior Jeff Rich’s first foray into original scholarship focused on standing how my corner of the project fits into paper based on the work, which appeared in the the relationship between Russian icons (like the one of St. George the big picture.” April issue of the Journal of Neuroscience. shown here) and Russian avant-garde painting. —E.E. DU AND FINCH PHOTO BY PHIL CHANNING; RUSSIAN ICON COURTESY OF THE INSTITUTE MODERN CULTURE

VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3 Fall/September 2004 USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences 7 The Undergraduate Experience

on 34th Street that houses JEP and Good Karma many stay on through their four years, volunteering and eventually even JEP’s rich tradition of community service working as program assistants who coordinate student placement into JEP programs. Lia Evans, a College junior major- aybe it’s karma that caus- ing in sociology and minoring in es good things to happen Spanish and psychology, has found to good people. that JEP has given her a new per- “My mother has spective on life and her studies. Malways said that everything works out “Doing JEP has helped me under- for the best,” says USC College senior stand how lucky I am,” says Evans, and Joint Educational Project volun- who won the 2004 Peer Achievement teer Anita Nageswaran. “And it really Award for her commitment to com- seems that everything does turn out munity service and tutors at a well for me.” JEP-affiliated high school. “I also Nageswaran, who is a double major have begun to notice the reflection in religion and biology has sculpted of my tutoring on my sociological her undergraduate experience around coursework and vice versa.” service to others. She, like thousands Nageswaran, who works at JEP as a of other USC students, spends most of program assistant for both a battered her volunteer time at the College’s women’s shelter and a foster care pro- Joint Educational Project (JEP), one of gram, has also felt the impact of JEP the nation’s oldest and largest service- on her life. learning programs. “The women in the battered women’s shelter are so strong to be Anita Nageswaran says JEP builds camaraderie on campus: “It’s like a family. JEP connects More Than 30 Years of Outreach students in such a significant way.” able to break out of a negative cycle of JEP wasn’t always the service- abuse,” she says. “It’s really inspiring.” learning powerhouse it is now, but it Anderson defends the honor. Volunteers, which places students in And, JEP seems to breed an “I can always had lofty visions. In 1972, the “JEP’s long-term goal is for students area hospitals, directly relate to my make a difference” attitude among its late Barbara Gardner, director of what to develop increased awareness and pre-med coursework and help me aca- many participants. was then the College’s Center For appreciation for the validity of an aca- demically, as well as personally.” “I always try to enjoy the here and Urban Affairs, noticed a growing demic discipline beyond the confines Whether they come selfishly or now,” says Evans. “I focus on what I divide between the university and its of the classroom,” she says. selflessly, the learning experiences can do to affect positive change on a surrounding community and decided “Sometimes it seems selfish,” says available to students through JEP are personal day-to-day basis rather than to take action. Nageswaran. “So many of my experi- certainly aplenty. Since 1972, nearly feeling burdened by trying to save the “Gardner wanted to develop a way ences volunteering through an 50,000 students have passed through entire world.” in which USC students and the com- organization like JEP’s Trojan Health the doors of the old Victorian house —Kaitlin Solimine munity could have a more reciprocal relationship,” says Tammy Anderson, current director of JEP. As a result, Gardner established a program (now JEP) that would act as An Out-of-Classroom Experience a broker for mutually beneficial edu- cational partnerships, connecting It’s not your typical summer job. While working in a wide variety The prevalence of the internship faculty, students and academic cours- On a sweltering July day, USC of summer and school year intern- experience among USC undergrads es with schools, hospitals and College international relations major ships, USC College students are certainly points towards a growing community-based agencies in L.A. Rema Christy battles the crowded learning more about themselves, national trend. Internships have The program has blossomed from streets of Tokyo as she leaves her how their studies apply to “real become an increasingly important just 200 USC student participants in internship at an international tax and world” experiences and how their aspect of a student’s resume because its first year to more than 2,000 stu- accounting firm and fights her way career goals match their academic of the emphasis employers now dents participating last year alone. to the subway. She is participating pursuits. place on work experience. JEP staff and student assistants work in the USC Freeman Fellows “Internships give undergraduate Internship opportunities for USC with more than 50 faculty to develop Internship Program, which is funded students a glimpse of the compo- students vary from working in a typi- service-learning components in by a grant from the Freeman nents necessary for career success,” cal office environment, to a U.S. courses where faculty believe that Foundation and provides stipends to says Eileen Kohan, associate dean Embassy abroad, to a soap opera set. community service will enrich stu- USC undergraduates to live and and executive director of USC’s All internship placements are geared dent understanding of class concepts work in Asia for a summer. Career Planning and Placement to complement the classroom expe- and readings. At the same time, the Placements for students range Center. And what is unique about rience and USC career advisors work program now partners with organiza- from a non-profit organization in USC College, says Kohan, is that hard to offer as many different and tions such as foster care programs, Kuala Lumpur to a Fortune 500 undergraduate students are typically innovative options to students as battered women’s shelters and after- company in Beijing, and in these participating in two to three intern- there are academic possibilities. school programs. environments, participants not only ships during their four years at USC. “Rather than spending an entire gain useful work experience, but The university’s career planning academic career building towards a Nationally Recognized also exposure to a foreign culture. and placement center places more particular profession, internships In 2000, Time magazine/Princeton “I am not very experienced in the than 6,000 students in internships offer liberal arts students a taste of Review recognized JEP’s integral role tax and accounting system in the each year and nearly 60 percent of what’s ahead without the commit- in USC’s commitment to public serv- U.S., let alone that of Japan,” she students who have a job lined up by ment to that field that a professional ice when it featured USC as its says. “Needless to say, I was a bit graduation had done an internship degree would require,” says Kohan. College of the Year. out of my element.” during their undergraduate career. —K.S. PHOTO BY KAITLIN SOLIMINE

8 USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences Fall/September 2004 VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3 A Broadening Time Overseas study gives students fresh insight

hile studying abroad in South Korea, a USC College religion major on his way home from class stops to listen to monks chanting at a Buddhist temple. Thousands of miles away in Costa Rica, a class- mate majoring in environmental studies, waits for a bus to take him Wto class and watches a hummingbird skittishly dart about a garden filled with Harira Kohl, Ghana native flowers. These sorts of experiences abroad are allowing College students the opportu- nity to apply their studies in new locales. Whether a biology major in Brisbane or an English major in London, study abroad enhances a student’s overall academic know-how and is quickly becoming an experience that few choose to do without. In the past five years, more than 1,200 USC College students have studied abroad and the number of students interested in studying abroad increases each year. Available to students are more than 40 programs on six continents, all of which integrate local culture and customs with academic coursework. “The type of student USC is attracting is looking for diverse experiences. They want to get all they can out of their undergraduate experience and study- ing abroad is a great opportunity to do so,” says Jessica Patton, a study abroad advisor in the university’s Office of Overseas Study. Often, such students specifically come to USC because of the College’s loca- Sara Geisler, Greece tion in the heart of Los Angeles. “USC College, which is located in one of the most cul- turally diverse cities in the world, is especially attuned to the international concerns that shape life in the 21st cen- tury,” says College Dean Joseph Aoun. “Study abroad is a “I have seen America from the natural extension of the sort of academic and cultural outside and there are things I like curiosity that we encourage.” Students gain in many ways from spending time away and dislike about my country and from the comforts of life at USC. Many attain a greater myself now that would have knowledge, if not fluency, of a foreign language, and most prosper from a deeper and more intimate understanding surprised me a year ago.” of a culture different from their own. Studying abroad also gives students a fresh perspective -USC College Junior Rachel Mohr on their curriculum. “An international relations major studying in South Africa will learn how South African aca- tson, Italy demics and politicians approach international relations and Angela Rober that will allow the student to be able to draw connections or notice differences in how IR is practiced in the United States,” says Patton. And international relations majors aren’t the only ones benefiting from study- ing abroad. Sarah Lacour is a double major in biology and French and spent a semester in France studying through the USC Paris program as well as at the Sorbonne. “I feel it is very important for students to experience things on an international level,” says Lacour. “It is so easy to simply see things from the perspective you inherited from your parents or country, but to experience and truly understand events that affect other parts of the world, through the experiences of yourself and others, is truly awesome.” Beyond the classroom, studying abroad often assists students in cutting the metaphorical umbilical cord that ties them to the comforts of home. It is dur- ing this time that most students first feel a real sense of independence and Rachel-Marie Mohr, Japan self-discovery. “I had so many memorable experiences while I was in France,” says Lacour. “Everything from trying to explain U.S. politics to an elderly French couple, to watching snow fall on the Seine River. Perhaps even more meaningful was merely adapting to the day-to-day culture of the country and the sense of belonging I developed. Paris is not so much a destination for me anymore, but a feeling.” Rachel Mohr, an East Asian languages and cultures major, had similar experi- ences in Japan. “I played the wadaiko. I watched a Noh play. I planted rice,” says the recipient of the College’s Research/Study Abroad (RSA) scholarship funded by the Freeman Foundation. “I have changed. I have learned a lot from the physical and cultural distance that comes with studying abroad. I have seen America from the outside and there are things I like and dislike about my coun- try and myself now that would have surprised me a year ago.” anzania —K.S. Michelle Romo, T PHOTOS COURTESY OF USC COLLEGE STUDENTS

VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3 Fall/September 2004 USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences 9 The Undergraduate Experience

Major: Undecided Learning communities give undecided students an academic home

t’s like academic limbo. education class and the Undecided. Undeclared. These other is a gateway course words may strike fear in traditional to a major. academics, but USC College is step- The program has Iping up to bat for those freshmen and recently shifted focus, other stu- however. “More dents who are than providing a in transition, major for these “More than providing a unsure what students, the they want to major for these students, learning com- study and in munities give the learning communities need of an them a sense of academic give them a sense connection,” home. says Director of connection.” The USC of College Meeting and Mingling: Freshmen Learning Community students at a welcoming breakfast. From left to Learning Advising Debra right, Marissa Corona, Casey Eznekier, Tara Crowl, Winnie Lai and Kenneth Miralles. Community —Debra Bernstein, Bernstein. Program, Director of College Advising “They feel established in more connected 1998, helps to their peers, faculty and the been a participant in the past) and a sense of community. First semester in undecided advising offices on campus.” staff advisor. college is a very lost feeling for most, incoming freshman and others who While attending classes and study- Indeed, the sense of belonging and it’s really helpful giving these stu- are changing majors to find an aca- ing together, the student groups also and connection students gain from dents other people just like them and demic focus. The program places see movies, have dinners and go to the program is as beneficial as finding with the same interests to talk to, these students into learning commu- events such as baseball games or a major. “They named the learning learn from and bond with.” nity groups based on their interests. musicals. They are guided by a facul- communities quite well,” says USC For more information, visit They then attend two classes togeth- ty mentor (who usually teaches one College student and program partici- http://www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/cas/Lea er, which are centered around a of the community courses), a peer pant-turned-peer mentor Patricia rningCommunities/index.html theme—one class is usually a general mentor (a student who has usually Heck. “They really give students a —K.S.

learners,” says SI Director Judy Haw. A Collective Enterprise “SI leaders get students to talk among themselves and figure out difficult problems by building on existing Supplemental instruction program offers peer tutoring strengths. They aren’t there to lecture the students.” Indeed, many of the SI students oing from high school class- believe that peer tutoring is more es to college lectures is a beneficial than traditional tutoring scary transition for most. For because of the approachability of their Tania Mitsinikos, a pre-med peers. “Because the tutors are also GUSC College sophomore majoring in undergraduate students, they can biology and minoring in economics, relate to how another undergrad “Peer tutoring the adjustment was especially daunt- would feel about a class and how they ing. Fortunately for Tania and the helps students would learn from it,” says Linda Tran, many other students like her, the a SI participant and biology major. College offers Supplemental figure out how to And while supplemental instruc- Instruction (SI), a peer tutoring pro- tion, is just that—supplemental— gram that matches struggling students become independent many students feel that it should be a in traditionally difficult courses (such fully integrated aspect of all tradition- learners.” as organic chemistry) with upperclass ally challenging courses. students who have previously taken —Judy Haw, Director of College senior Karl Balch is insis- the courses. Supplemental Instruction tent. “SI instruction for a class such as This fall over 35 student SI leaders organic chemistry is so important it is at USC College will tutor fellow students in 16 classes, nearly mandatory,” says the psycholo- mostly in the natural sciences and gy major who participated in SI mathematics. The program and its groups in chemistry, organic chemistry student leaders do not focus simply and biology. “Although theoretically on helping a student to receive a good you could take the class without these grade. Instead, the program delves resources, you are at a tremendous deeper, increasing a student’s reten- that will remain with them throughout “Peer tutoring helps students fig- deficit without them.” tion and instilling better study skills their academic careers. ure out how to become independent —K.S. LEARNING COMMUNITY PHOTO BY KAITLIN SOLIMINE; PEER TUTORING PHIL CHANNING

10 USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences Fall/September 2004 VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3 Wang, a 40-year-old undergraduate What Next? student, knows all about imaginative choices. After working for more than Advisors prepare students for life after college 17 years in the technology sector, she returned to USC College to study anthropology and hopes to someday start her own management consulting ith the help of advising counseling, of letters of firm. “It doesn’t make sense to most,” offices on campus, USC workshops, recommenda- she says. “But, anthropology is directly College students are internships, job tion. related to management consulting as becoming more creative in listings, career Through his well as many other business-related Wthe ways in which they translate their fairs and resume work, Stokes endeavors. The sorts of behavioral and studies into careers. Take two current days. has found that cultural observations that anthropolo- USC College students for example. Peter Stokes, College stu- gists make are essential in this line of Jade Werner, an English major, is a student serv- dents aren’t business.” pursuing a career in non-profit man- ices advisor in always pursu- Werner, nearly 20 years Wang’s jun- agement or theatre production. Teresa the College ing traditional ior, has a slightly different approach Wang, an anthropology major, wants to who primarily career paths. when it comes to melding (or not) attend business school. While on advises stu- “USC College study and career. “My approach to seemingly different career paths, dents on students, school right now is that English is Werner and Wang do have one thing graduate and because they what I like to study and theatre is in common. They are utilizing the professional have been what I like to do,” she says. “They same resources to navigate their way: school choices, exposed to a don’t have to be one and the same.” the USC Career Planning and has talked with variety of liber- With the encouragement of the Placement Center and the College both Werner al arts subjects, Advising Office and the Career Advisement Office. and Wang. He are very well- Planning and Placement Center, both In place to guide students through- helps students who are looking to rounded,” says Stokes. “College students believe that doing and study- out their academic and post-academic extend their education into master’s students are quite imaginative in their ing what one loves will lead to a experiences, the two offices offer a or Ph.D. programs, assisting them academic and career choices. We’re successful career—and a very happy variety of advisement services, includ- with everything from exploration of here to help guide them through this life. ing career and graduate school possible programs to the requesting process and feed their creative juices.” —K.S.

about how happy they were to be in an environment where they didn’t The Adventure of Leadership have to defend their ambition,” says project participant Katie Trefz, a A hands-on course inspires innovative projects College senior and history and politi- cal science major. Intending to target the USC student body, another project built s a leader of several major USC Luther King, Jr., an online L.A. travel guide, www. campus organizations, includ- while also offering beyondusc.com. The site, which consid- ing founder and co-president the personal ers itself an unconventional travel of the USC entrepreneur advice and direct guide, offers nearly 225 unique Aclub, USC College student A.J. knowledge of its reviews of places to go in L.A. Nagaraj knows a lot about leadership. professors, Sample College student Mariah Martin, Still, after enrolling in USC President and Bennis, who who worked on the website says, “our Steven B. Sample and University hosted small din- vision was to inspire students to see Professor Warren Bennis’ spring ners with course Los Angeles as an urban classroom.” semester course MDA 365: “The Art participants. The In the end, all of the MDA 365 and Adventure of Leadership,” he course culminated students walked away with a much realized he has a lot to learn. in an intensive stronger sense of what it takes to be a “The course taught me that being group project with leader, not only in business, politics or a good leader begins with knowing simple guidelines: USC Leaders create a “toy-check out” for the L.A. community. the community, but also within more who you are,” says Nagaraj, who grad- practice leader- personal spheres of influence. uated in May with a degree in ship. Accordingly, the projects were as months. “I also learned how to write And sometimes, being a leader political science and will attend varied as leadership itself. a budget—and I’m an English means letting someone else lead. Harvard University’s graduate school One project was the creation of a major!” she says. “This class takes a group of 40 stu- of education this fall. toy library. The 24th Street Theatre, Another project focused on USC dents, who are used to leading As part of the College’s multidisci- just blocks from USC’s campus, pro- area high school students. Selecting multiple student organizations, and plinary activities (MDA) program, the vided the space for neighborhood underserved schools, the team puts them into groups with other leadership course emphasizes interdis- children to “check out” toys, which worked with school counselors to leaders,” says Nagaraj. “What results ciplinary teaching and research. MDA they can borrow for one week. nominate junior and senior student is a power dynamic in which egos are courses are developed and taught by Participant Winter Warner, an English leaders. The resulting nominees were bruised, compromises are grudgingly faculty from more than one program, major and College senior, says that then taken on a weekend retreat to struck and sacrifices are made. You department or school. MDA 365 used the toy library project taught her that Sacramento where they participated quickly learn that leaders can’t always both classical and practical approaches with proper leadership skills, six peo- in workshops that covered both pro- be leaders in every endeavor they to leadership study, highlighting the ple are capable of accomplishing fessional and personal leadership. pursue.” work of Socrates, Gandhi and Martin wonderful things in less than four “Many of the students talked —K.S. DIPLOMA PHOTO BY PHIL CHANNING; TOY JEANA MARINELLI

VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3 Fall/September 2004 USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences 11 The Undergraduate Experience

The Modern Lecture Faculty mix high-tech and high-technique

he traditional lecture is under attack by educational scholars on pedagogical grounds. Some, like USC College neu- Troscientist Michael Quick, look forward to the day when the lecture is gone completely. Physicist Gene Bickers sees a need to re-think their use in large, introduc- tory science classes. Sarah Pratt, dean of academic pro- grams in USC College, foresees the evolution of a new model. “We encourage College faculty to approach teaching with the same cre- ativity and rigor they bring to their research, and that has naturally led to the wide range of methods, innova- tive techniques and technological solutions that define our undergradu- ate courses,” says Pratt, a professor of Slavic languages and literature. Increasingly, she says, College fac- ulty are embracing a mix of methods to invite students into the life of the The traditional lecture—an educational approach that originated in ancient times—is being updated with new methods and technologies. mind. “We combine lecture, demos, solv- ing longer problems at the blackboard prior experience with the subject or “There were cheers and moans project, says the video and smart and other activities as much as possi- whether students judged the lecture from the students when the answers board technology offer a valuable “re- ble in our introductory physics series,” boring or entertaining. came up,” says Bozler. “You end up creation” of the classroom experience says Hans Bozler, professor of physics In response, physics professors and with a lot of teachable moments.” that can enhance learning by giving and astronomy. “Using any single others are turning to new methods This year, the College will intro- students a chance to go over a concept mode throughout a class period— and interactive technologies to enliv- duce PRS equipment in three more than once. “The College has lecture or not—is not ideal.” en the classroom experience. campus lecture halls and a mobile started looking at ways that we can “We’re urgently trying to make lec- system for the physics department. build on this,” she says. Active Learning ture classes a two-way experience,” Bozler says that faculty in psycholo- “I really enjoy giving lectures, but says Stephen Bradforth, an associate gy, biology, earth sciences, geography, Language Games it’s clear that students are more moti- professor of chemistry. “That’s espe- chemistry and physics plan to use the Daniel Bayer, executive director of vated and learn better in active cially difficult in large classes, because clickers. the College’s Language Center, has learning environments,” says Quick, few students are comfortable answer- introduced new technologies, online an associate professor of biological ing a question in front of an entire Technology’s ‘Reluctant Visionary’ resources and led the effort to change sciences. lecture hall.” Math Professor Robert Penner has language course curricula to improve In one undergraduate neurobiology been a low-tech, high-concept teacher student learning. class, Quick asks students to list ques- Clickers for decades, enlivening his calculus “Now we’re digging deeper, work- tions to help guide the content of the In spring, Bradforth and Bozler classes with little more than chalk and ing to make technology even better as course. Students find answers to their tested a new technology called the an overhead projector. a learning tool,” he says. questions by reading original scientific Personal Response System (PRS) Now Penner advocates studio Bayer is overseeing the creation of literature, presenting and discussing it designed to address that and other classrooms equipped with “smart an online computer game to guide in class. problems. PRS encourages student boards.” This spring, he taught calcu- students through first-year Italian. “Ideally, students would teach each participation in large classes while lus in the mornings in a regular This summer Bayer’s team, including other, and I would become more of an providing teachers with immediate classroom and in the afternoon in a Francesca Italiano, director of the expert guide who makes sure they feedback about student comprehen- studio in the Distance Education Italian Language Program, and the don’t go too far off-track or get lost,” sion. Network of the USC Viterbi School of Language Center’s Edie Ann Glaser, he says. “I call it the ‘Who Wants to be a Engineering. Cameras videotaped the produced a demo of a comprehensive Millionaire?’ system,” says Bradforth. afternoon section, while a digital “Virtual Italian Experience.” Encouraging Student Participation Students use remote control-like smart board captured Penner’s in-class The game begins with a virtual Lectures pose a particular problem “clickers” similar to those used on the notes. Students can access the video user visiting a USC Italian course. for large science courses, says physi- TV show, to answer multiple-choice and notes via the web on their own Next, they’ll add a campus tour and a cist Bickers. questions anonymously. A computer schedule. trip to Italy. A 1998 American Journal of Physics produces instant results. Penner says the mean exam score Most faculty agree a need remains study found lectures less effective Besides increasing attendance, of students in the afternoon course for lectures in higher education, but than interactive methods in teaching clickers helped Bozler and Bradforth was higher than those in the morning technology and new knowledge pro- undergraduate physics courses, decide whether to spend more time class. vide options that can’t be ignored. regardless of class size, students’ on a subject. Pratt, who helped organize the —E.E. PHOTO BY KAITLIN SOLIIMINE

12 USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences Fall/September 2004 VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3 Science in Focus

Bilateral Beasts Discovery forces a re-think of how and when animals first emerged

nimals—in the “Cambrian Explosion,” a peri- by side—is thought to have survived form of micro- od 20 to 30 million years long the harsh glacial environment, scopic yet that began roughly 543 million Bottjer says. complex organ- years ago when many of the V. guizhouena had a mouth, an Aisms—may have existed major groups of animals first anus and paired external pits that millions of years earlier appear in the fossil record. the researchers theorized it used to than previous estimates, While many paleontologists sense environmental conditions, according to a new study and molecular biologists have such as light. by USC College paleon- speculated that bilaterian ani- Bottjer and USC College Earth tologist David Bottjer mals are older than that, there Sciences Postdoctoral Fellow and collaborators from was little physical evidence to Stephen Q. Dornbos worked with a Caltech and China. support the theory until now. group of scientists from Caltech and The team’s discovery “It doesn’t mean that this China to analyze the fossils found in of tiny, anatomically sym- is the original bilaterian, but it a landscape of rolling hills, rice farms metrical animal fossils is likely these represent the and phosphate quarries. The team pushes the existence of early beginnings of bilaterian carted a dump truck full of rock from bilaterians—animals with evolution,” says Bottjer, pro- a quarry to nearby Yunnan, where bodies designed with the fessor of earth sciences and they used rock saws with diamonds same mirror-image sym- biological sciences. embedded in the cutting edge to metry that defines most The team has dubbed the produce translucent rock slices that modern animals, includ- animal in question were fixed to glass slides and ana- ing humans—back to Vernanimalcula guizhouena, lyzed under a microscope. From about 600 million years Latin for “small spring ani- about 10,000 of these translucent ago, says Bottjer, one of mal.” The name is a nod to slices they found 10 specimens of the report’s lead authors. the “spring” that followed a the small but surprisingly complex The team published glacial period some call animal. their analysis of fossils “Snowball Earth”—an “What it says is that early in evo- found in southern China extended period of extreme lution bilaterians may have been very in the June 3 online edi- David Bottjer cold that scientists theorize small, but eventually they became tion of Science. entombed the entire planet in ice large. Humans, which evolved much The exact timing of the emergence surfaces—has long been a topic of before thawing roughly 600 million later, are good examples of large bila- of bilaterian animals—which have debate in the scientific community. years ago. V. guizhouena—which rivals terians,” Bottjer says. defined front, rear, left and right body Some trace their beginnings to the the size of four human hairs laid side —Usha Sutliff, USC News

spinal cord and brain, Butler says. Butler is best known for demon- Hardwiring the Nervous System strating that proteins called BMPs, members of a family of growth factors, How developing neurons find their way can repel axons. Although BMPs had been studied for years by molecular and developmental biologists, Butler was the first to show their important efore the brain can produce to begin with, in the thousands of times role in axon guidance—a key finding thought, control limbs or embryo,” she says. the width of a neu- that spawned new interest in the make us flinch in pain, innu- Understanding how ron to form the BMP family among neuroscientists. merable connections must be the body builds new stereotypical pattern Butler continues to search for other Bbuilt between the more than one hun- neural connections encoded in the so-called chemorepellents and dred billion cells that make up the would be key to any genetic blueprint. chemoattractants, as well as looking at central nervous system. future scheme to Work over the last molecular and cellular events involved Figuring out exactly how this repair damaged neural 20 years has shown in the wiring process. Eventually, she occurs drives the research of networks, such as that, to navigate this aims to understand how the many Samantha Butler, an assistant profes- those found in spinal long and vitally guidance cues work together to direct sor of biological sciences, who focuses cord lesions—a lead- important journey, axons on the right path in the spinal on how the brain and spinal cord get ing cause of paralysis. axons rely on a series cord. wired up. Butler studies how of molecular cues. “The practical aspect of this work, “We are just beginning to under- axons—the threadlike These molecules which would be dependent on paral- stand how these neural networks are extensions of neurons Samantha Butler is one of a grow- may attract the tip of lel advances in neural stem cell ing number of biologists interested built,” says Butler, who arrived at that transmit signals in developmental neuroscience at the axon in one research and medicine, is to see if we USC College last winter from from a neuron—hook USC College.Arieh Warshel direction or repel it could somehow use similar com- Columbia University’s Center for up with other neu- from another direc- pounds to help re-establish neural Neurobiology and Behavior. “The rons. During this carefully tion, guiding the axon to grow toward pathways after injury,” she says. idea is to look at how these are set up orchestrated process, axons must grow precise targets in the developing —E.E. BOTTJER PHOTO BY PHIL CHANNING; BUTLER EVA EMERSON

VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3 Fall/September 2004 USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences 13 Science in Focus

Quick on the Uptake

rom his style (he prefers black) to his choice of jewelry (a small metal stud pierces his left eye- brow) and his preferred Fmethod of transportation (a 24-speed bicycle), USC College neurobiologist Michael Quick makes it clear that he is no stereotypical professor. What he is is a talented, enthusias- tic teacher and scientist who, in two short years as an associate professor of biological sciences in USC College, has already had a notable impact in the life of the school and the minds of his students. Quick’s research studies focus on the communication between neurons that underlies all thought, movement and behavior. Chemical messengers, or neurotransmitters, mediate that communication in the synapses, the Michael Quick’s lab is a hub of activity, with nearly 20 students working on independent research projects at any one time. gaps between neurons. Some of these neurotransmitters stand out in terms of their importance in human disease and behavior. Low Biology and Art Their work has been progressing Since coming to USC, in fact, he’s levels of the neurotransmitter sero- His most recent project focuses on well, and the team, presenting their switched the entire organization of his tonin in a synapse, for example, have something completely different. initial results at a meeting of art con- lab, giving undergraduates parts of his been linked to depression. Too much Collaborating with Getty Research servators in spring, has begun to stir own projects to work on and freeing glutamate and you may get epilepsy. Institute conservator Arlen up wider interest in the techniques. up graduate student time to focus on Parkinson’s, manic depression, autism Heginbotham, Quick and student Millay, Quick says, has been doing their own research questions. and many other brain disorders appear Vicky Millay, who graduated from the most of the actual lab work. He pushes his graduate students to related to increased or decreased neu- College in spring, are applying biolog- In fact, the majority of Quick’s work as independently as possible, he rotransmitter activity. ical tools to the preservation of research is done with the undergrad- says, pursuing projects of their own In his attempts to better under- centuries-old art and furnishings. uate students—usually between 12 design with him acting as a mentor stand factors that could alter Quick is “jazzed,” he says. “Using and 20—working in his lab. He and occasional trouble-shooter. “I neurotransmitter levels, and thus antibodies, we set out to help Arlen works one-on-one with the students, really want them to learn how to be influence disease, Quick was one of identify a layer of ‘mystery material’ giving each a bite-sized portion of a scientists, and you can only really the first to identify and study the role painted on a 17th century cabinet larger project to oversee. “We figure learn that by taking on your own proj- of transporter proteins in the process. from the Getty. Recently, we detected out what questions they’re interested ect and figuring out how to make Prozac and similar drugs help keep egg albumin in the original 300-year- in, and then try to identify a project things happen.” synaptic serotonin levels high, for old piece of furniture.” that matches up.” —E.E. example, by blocking the serotonin transporters that move serotonin mol- ecules inside neurons for recycling or destruction. As the transporters do this, they trigger a chain reaction that Prepping Post-Bac Pre-Meds eventually can lead to a noticeable change in behavior. “Neurotransmitters important in n ex-social worker, ex-architect undergraduate disease, as well as therapeutic and ex-professional football degree in a non-sci- drugs and drugs of abuse, can be player sit around a table dis- ence or non-medical regulated by how quickly they are cussing the chemical field and now want reabsorbed by the cell. And that’s theAproperties of a carbon atom. While an to pursue medicine. transporter’s job,” says Quick. unlikely sight for most, the group is In its sixth year, Quick’s investigations have actually an accurate representation of the USC program is revealed myriad mechanisms for regu- participants in USC College’s one of only a few lating the activity, number and Postbaccalaureate Premedical post-baccalaureate location of transporters, a key step in Program. pre-medical pro- the development of new drugs that The program, which enables post- grams on the West target the transporters. In other prom- baccalaureate students to complete Coast. ising work, Quick studies the basic the science and mathematics core What draws stu- biology of addiction, specifically requirements for medical school dents from around looking at the events that establish admission, is directed towards stu- the world to this USC program is the College’s program provides, says and maintain nicotine addiction. dents who have graduated with an sense of community and support the Larry Singer, professor of chemistry QUICK PHOTO BY PHIL CHANNING; SURGERY PHOTODISC

14 USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences Fall/September 2004 VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3 distinct, longer-lived form of lipoxin, Healing by Synthesis which was first synthesized by Petasis.

Compounds halt the damaging effects of inflammation Promise for Periodontitis As part of an NIH-funded Program Project, Petasis and dental biologist Thomas Van Dyke of Boston ven the tiniest paper cut kicks 1980s, he University joined Serhan and his team the immune system into wasn’t able at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and action. Infection-fighting to fully deter- Harvard Medical School to study the white blood cells, called neu- mine their role of lipoxins in periodontal disease. Etrophils, rush to the site of injury and function for In December 2003, this group pub- initiate inflammation. years. A break- lished a report showing lipoxin Calling for back up, the neu- through came analogs helped protect gums and trophils quickly recruit more of their when he teeth in an animal model of periodon- kind to the scene, and commence to showed why titis. Rabbits treated topically with the kill any bacteria they find. The skir- lipoxins had analogs had significantly less gum mishes and casualties cause the skin resisted study. inflammation as well as less tissue and around the cut to swell and redden They circulat- bone loss than an untreated group. until, victory in sight, the first wave of ed only a few These findings suggest that lipoxin inflammation subsides. As the neu- minutes before analogs may prove helpful as a thera- trophils retreat, the healing can begin. enzymes broke py for gum disease, the primary cause Yet, these defensive forces have a them down. of adult tooth loss. dark side as well. Unchecked, raging “When inflammation can damage the very Serhan discov- A New View of Cystic Fibrosis tissue the immune system is ered that, we In the April 2004 issue of Nature designed to protect. In fact, started work Immunology, Petasis and a team led by researchers have linked out-of-control synthesizing physician-scientist Christopher L. inflammation to an ever-growing list longer-lasting Karp of Cincinnati Children’s of diseases, from clogged arteries and lipoxin-like Hospital, found that cystic fibrosis heart attacks to arthritis and cancer. molecules,” patients produce markedly lower lev- Over the last decade, USC College Petasis says. els of natural lipoxins than healthy Chemist Nicos A. Petasis has worked “My task was people. The findings are the as part of a multidisciplinary team to protect the strongest evidence to date that studying the natural course of inflam- molecules from uncontrolled inflammation, and not mation and what goes wrong in the enzymes bacterial infection, initiates the disease. Led by Harvard biologist without alter- destructive cycle in the lungs that Charles N. Serhan, the team’s ing their eventually proves fatal for most suf- research has altered fundamental Nicos Petasis’ synthesis of new molecules biological activity.” It was a tricky ferers of this genetic disease. may lead to better treatments for cystic ideas about the inflammatory fibrosis and gum disease.Charles McKenna prospect. The team also tested lipoxin response and revealed the role of bio- With a rough design in mind, analogs in an animal model of the dis- logical molecules called lipoxins in Petasis began his hands-on work. He ease. The airways of animals treated regulating the process. lipoxin analogs, are now being eyed as would send his most promising mole- with the analogs showed less inflam- As part of the effort, Petasis and his candidates for drug development, cules to Serhan to test for activity and mation, fewer neutrophils and more group synthesized a number of power- having shown great promise in metabolic stability. Going through a successful clearing of bacterial infec- ful chemical compounds that mimic quelling disease-associated inflamma- number of these loops, he created a tion than the airways of those lipoxin’s anti-inflammatory, pro-heal- tion in animal studies of dermatitis, few dozen promising analogs. Adding receiving no treatment. Critically, ing activity. The compounds, called asthma, kidney disease and now gum a fluorine atom to his best prospect, those in the treatment group suffered disease and cystic fibrosis. Petasis came up with what he was less overall lung damage. after—a potent lipoxin analog that and director of the program. Natural Inspiration lasts for hours. Future Directions Participants laud the program’s col- In his efforts to invent new materi- Petasis predicts that unraveling the laborative learning style, personalized als and pharmaceuticals, Petasis, the Healing Molecules whole story of inflammation—a tale advising and guidance offered Harold and Lillian Moulton Chair in Using the lipoxin analogs as tools, both complex and redundant—will throughout the medical school applica- Chemistry and member of the Loker the team went on to reveal that lipox- take time. tion process. Hydrocarbon Research Institute, ins worked as the immune system’s But some benefits from the Though bearing a heavy course looks to nature for inspiration. “traffic cops” to halt inflammation, research may arrive sooner. If the load and the stresses of medical school Finding ways to improve on nature’s among other key activities. Anti- results of animal studies are borne out application requirements, nary a stu- designs was at the heart of the chal- inflammatory lipoxins, produced by in future human trials, Petasis’ pro- dent regrets their enrollment in the lenge when Serhan and Petasis began neutrophils in the same biochemical healing compounds may offer doctors program. John Michels, a program par- collaborating in 1993. cascade that initiates inflammation, a potent and unique new tool in the ticipant and ex-professional football Serhan and Petasis had worked signal other cells to retreat from an anti-inflammatory arsenal. player who majored in religion while together earlier as members of the inflamed site and to begin the healing That would make the molecule’s an undergraduate at USC College teams of their mentors—Nobel Prize- process. creator proud. “I tend to follow-up praised the program. winning Swedish biologist Bengt The team’s research also led to a with what happens with the mole- “I have found a career that I can be Samuelsson and preeminent synthetic clearer understanding of how aspirin cules I create,” Petasis says. “You care more passionate about than football, chemist K. C. Nicolaou, respective- dampens inflammation. Scientists had about them as if they were your off- something that only a few short years ly—who had joined forces to study known that aspirin works by blocking spring. If a molecule you create ago I did not think was possible,” says other aspects of inflammation. pro-inflammatory molecules, but proves useful, you can have an enor- Michels. Although Serhan discovered the Serhan was the first to show that mous positive impact.” —K.S. lipoxins with Samuelsson in the aspirin also triggers the formation of a —E.E. PHOTO BY PHIL CHANNING

VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3 Fall/September 2004 USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences 15 New Faculty

Recruiting Success

ust two years after the USC College of Letters, emerging fields or to re-think well-established fields. and are leaders in emerging fields and more than Arts & Sciences publicly announced its Senior “As we designed our faculty hiring initiative, our one discipline—in areas as varied as computational Faculty Hiring Initiative, Dean Joseph Aoun aim was to cast a more visionary look at the College. biology; literary, visual and material culture; urban says the College has surpassed the mid-point We did not conduct business as usual,” says Aoun. space; geosystems; geobiology; philosophy of lan- Jof its goal to recruit 100 new senior and associate “Many of our professors are creating partnerships guage and mind; history of art collecting and display; professors. with institutions outside of USC, such as the and urban and visual studies. “We’re more than half way there and we have Huntington Library and the Getty Research “This truly has been a USC team effort,” says momentum,” says Aoun. Institute. Within USC, these scholars are partnering Aoun. “Provost Lloyd Armstrong and President To date, a total of 122 new faculty have joined with faculty in engineering, law, cinema, medicine Steven B. Sample have been instrumental in our the College and 52 of those appointments have and communication to launch new programs and success, advising us as the plan unfolded. College gone to senior professors or “rising stars”—well conduct innovative research.” faculty, Dean of Faculty Beth Meyerowitz, and the established associate professors who are clearly These partnerships have a multiplier effect, giv- functional deans deserve much credit for recruiting about to break away from the pack. Discussions ing the College and its partners valuable resources top candidates.” are underway with other talented faculty who have they wouldn’t have otherwise. “We have used the initiative to further diversify indicated an interest in joining the College as part The College’s strategy, congruent with the draft our faculty, an important priority for us,” says Aoun. of a recruitment strategy that emphasizes brilliance, of the university’s new strategic plan, is to attract Joining USC College for the 2004-05 academic innovation and leadership. scholars who meld fundamental and applied year, are 31 new faculty, including 11 senior pro- The USC College ‘professor of the future’ will research and scholarship in order to address society’s fessors, 8 associate professors and 12 assistant embrace more than one specialty, melding mastery most pressing problems, needs and questions. professors. of several disciplines to address exciting new and The faculty recruited embody this new vision —N.S.

PROFESSORS Jeffrey King JEFFREY KING JOHN CARLOS ROWE Professor of Philosophy Professor of English Interests: Philosophy of Interests: American

ANNE BALSAMO Language Literature Professor of Gender Studies From: UC Davis From: UC Irvine and Cinema TV John Carlos Rowe Interests: Culture and Technology From: Stanford University Anne Balsamo SCOTT SOAMES ANDREI MARMOR Professor of Philosophy Professor of Philosophy and Interests: Linguistics and Law Philosophy WILLIAM DEVERELL Interests: Legal Philosophy From: Princeton University Professor of History From: Tel Aviv University Interests: California Studies Scott Soames

From: Caltech Andrei Marmor

William Deverell JOHN STRAUSS Claudia Moatti Professor of Economics CLAUDIA MOATTI Interests: Development Professor of Classics Economics JUDITH HALBERSTAM Interests: Political Society of From: Michigan State Professor of English Rome University Interests: English From: University of Paris, John Strauss Literature France From: UC San Diego

Judith Halberstam ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS

John Platt JOHN PLATT KAREN HALTTUNEN Professor of Earth Sciences WILLIAM BERELSON Professor of History Interests: Geological Associate Professor of Interests: U.S. Culture and Sciences Earth Sciences Intellectual History From: University College Interests: Geobiology From: UC Davis London, UK Chemical Oceanography From: USC Karen Halttunen William Berelson

16 USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences Fall/September 2004 VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3 XIAOJIANG CHEN ASSISTANT PROFESSORS SONYA LEE Associate Professor of Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Art History Interests: Biochemistry and EMILY ANDERSON Interests: Medieval Chinese Molecular Genetics Assistant Professor of English Art, Asian Art From: University of Interests: 18th century From: University of Xiaojiang Chen Colorado Literature Chicago Sonya Lee From: Yale University

Emily Anderson ALICE ECHOLS

Associate Professor of English LORI RACHELLE MEEKS Interests: Women’s Studies, Assistant Professor of Religion History, American Studies THORSTEN BECKER Interests: Premodern Japan From: UCLA Assistant Professor of From: Stanford University Earth Sciences Alice Echols Interests: Geophysics Lori Rachelle Meeks From: Scripps Institution of Oceanography NINA ELIASOPH Thorsten Becker Associate Professor of Sociology ANNE PORTER Interests: Sociology of Assistant Professor of Religion Culture, Politics and Theory Interests: Middle Eastern From: University of Studies “As we designed our faculty hiring Wisconsin From: University of Nina Eliasoph initiative, our aim was to cast a Chicago Anne Porter more visionary look at the College. SUSAN FORSBURG Associate Professor of We did not conduct business ANTONIA SZABARI Biological Sciences Assistant Professor of French as usual.” Interests: Molecular and Interests: 16th and 17th Cellular Biology —College Dean Joseph Aoun century French Literature From: Salk Institute for and Poetry From: Johns Hopkins Biological Sciences Susan Forsburg Antonia Szabari University

TOBIAS EKHOLM Assistant Professor of DEBORAH HARKNESS Mathematics Associate Professor of History KEVIN T. VAN BLADEL Interests: Topology Interests: History of Science Assistant Professor of Classics From: University of and Medicine, Medieval Interests: Arabic Language Uppsala, Sweden and Early Modern Europe From: Yale University Tobias Ekholm From: UC Davis

Deborah Harkness Kevin T. van Bladel

GUILLAUME PAUL LICHTERMAN Paul Lichterman MACARENA GOMEZ-BARRIS Associate Professor of Sociology Assistant Professor of Sociology VANDENBROUCHE Assistant Professor of and Religion and American Studies Economics Interests: Sociology of Interests: Sociology of Interests: Macroeconomics, Religion and Civic Culture Culture, Latin American Econometrics From: University of Studies Guillaume From: University of Wisconsin From: UC Santa Cruz Macarena Gomez-Barris Vandenbrouche Rochester

FRED MOTEN MARK IRWIN BORIS WOLFSON Associate Professor of English Assistant Professor of English Assistant Professor of Slavic Interests: 19th century (Winter 2005) Languages and Literatures Literature, African Interests: Poetry, Creative Interests: Russian American Studies Writing Language and Literature From: UC Irvine From: Colorado College From: UC Berkeley Fred Moten Mark Irwin Boris Wolfson

VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3 Fall/September 2004 USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences 17 Advancing the College

says without a moment’s hesitation, is A Chance Encounter Antarctica, which was evident given the proliferation of penguin parapher- Alumna gives $500,000 for international study nalia around her house. “The icebergs and scenery are ethereal,” she says, adding that the hikes into the tundra to be with the ifteen years ago, Helen Graffen penguins were incredibly special. “It’s Donegan (B.A., ’49) was shop- nature at its all-time best.” ping in Shanghai when a young Her next dream destination is the student approached her, wanting Arctic. “I want to see the polar bears,” Fto practice his English. Her late hus- she explains. band Jim, fond of Chinese cutlery, Helen has been extremely active in asked the boy to lead them to a rep- the Desert chapter of the Trojan utable shop. The boy offered to pay League. Six of her classmates—“All for the knives in Chinese yuan if the Forty-Niners,” she says proudly— Donegans gave him the equivalent in have kept alive a Round Robin letter American dollars. after all these years. Three of them The Donegans agreed. In order to were Helen of Troy and one was a study abroad, the young boy needed Mortar Board president. They repre- to pay for some of his university exams sented four different sororities; Helen in dollars. Eventually, the student— was an Alpha Phi. One of the hardest Dennis—came to the United States things about seafaring, she admits, was and earned his M.S. at Brigham Young Helen Donegan (B.A., ‘49) in her Alpha Phi sorority portrait (left); and Donegan today (right). a little pin she was asked to wear on University, and is now studying for his her cruises. The company’s name was second master’s in finance and eco- sincere dedication to global travel So she did. For five years, she Golden Bear Travel, and the pin was nomics at Columbia University. and to her alma mater were also sailed from Los Angeles to Australia of a golden bear. “Dennis is the inspiration,” major factors. and back, on a paradisiacal route that “I had such a guilty conscience Donegan—who prefers to be called Helen was born and raised in included stops in New Zealand, about it,” says the indomitable Trojan, Helen—says, of her decision to create Walnut, Calif., where her family had a Tahiti, Roratonga and Pango Pango. shaking her head at the forced connec- the Helen Donegan Fund for citrus ranch. Inspired by a high school All in all, she traveled that route over tion with rival schools. “It took me International Study at USC College. teacher who was a USC alum, Helen 25 times, but she didn’t stop there. the longest time in the world.” This $500,000 gift annuity will provide was accepted into the class of 1949. Her love for the sea eventually took —K.Y.K. scholarships for international students She majored in physical education. her and her husband all around the who wish to study at USC, and for After teaching for a few years in world. They hosted 10 world cruises, USC students who want to study Whittier and Riverside, Helen took among many other separate trips. The abroad. her first cruise in 1957. “I thought I’d trip to China fostered the relationship She says seeing how hard Dennis died and gone to heaven,” she reflects. with Dennis that continues to this day. Making Income worked to get through school was the She loved it so much her friends asked A mohair tapestry that graces the head impetus behind helping other stu- her, “Why don’t you just go and get of her bed is a souvenir from a trip to Producing Gifts dents who share his ambition. Her yourself a job on the ship?” Mombasa. But her favorite place, she Helen Donegan and others have increased their annual income while supporting the College’s Perpetual Scholarship vision, goals and future direction. Others might consider doing the same. reating an endowed chair According to College advance- position is an effective way to ment staff, an increasing number support both research and education at USC College in of College alumni are setting up Cperpetuity. Such an endowment, man- contributions that provide them aged judiciously by the College, is a sound, lasting investment in the with an increased annual income future. The endowments sustaining as well as a favorable charitable these chairs free up general operating deduction. funds, giving USC College more flexi- bility in supporting the activities of its For more information, contact faculty—for example, providing dis- Susan Redfield, J.D., Director cretionary funds for laboratory space and equipment. They also provide a of Development, College powerful and necessary tool for retain- Advancement at 213-740-1628 ing renowned faculty members and for attracting new ones. Pictured at the celebration, from left to right, is Higginbotham; MaryLou O. Boone, leader of or email [email protected] or On April 29, USC College formally the College’s Humanities Advisory Board; Piggott, and Joseph Aoun, dean of USC College. check out USC’s Planned celebrated the creation of two new Giving website at endowed chair positions. Philosophy Hilf Chair in Philosophy, in honor of named the new Gordon L. Professor James Higginbotham was the late Linda MacDonald Hilf. MacDonald Chair in History, in honor www.usc.edu/plannedgiving. named the new Linda MacDonald History Professor Joan Piggott was of the late Gordon L. MacDonald. SORORITY PHOTO COURTESY OF HELEN DONEGAN; DONEGAN BY KATHERINE YUNGMEE KIM; ENDOWED CHAIR LEE SALEM PHOTOGRAPHY

18 USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences Fall/September 2004 VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3 College Speaker Series

Supporting the Promise of Education This fall, some of the College’s most renowned scholars will appear in San Marino, Berkeley, New York or those who knew Michael executor and successor trustee of his and Newport Beach as part of the Sullivan, it seems only fitting estate. USC College Distinguished that the $1.2 million scholar- The USC College Michael Speaker Series. ship fund he bequeathed to Sullivan scholarships, amounting to The luncheon lectures take place Fthe USC College School of $12,000 per student, were first award- from 11:30 to 1:30. Admission is $35 International Relations (SIR) upon his ed in 2003. The bequest was per person and is complimentary for death in 2000 was designed to further motivated by Sullivan’s desire to ease members of the USC College the education of USC College gradu- the burden of educational loans that Associates. ates lacking the financial means to often keep qualified students from For additional event information, pursue advanced degrees. continuing on to postgraduate stud- or to RSVP online, please visit Sullivan, who received a bachelor’s ies—he believed that the possession www.usc.edu/esvp (enter esvp code degree from SIR in 1957, was a true of a postgraduate degree offers the #1513). For phone reservations believer in educational opportunity best opportunity for higher advance- please call (213) 740-1744. for all. As a high school college coun- ment. selor in the farming community of This year, Sullivan scholarships were September 30, 2004 Watsonville, Sullivan spent nearly 30 Michael Sullivan awarded to international relations students The Rise of Los Angeles and the years assisting hundreds of underpriv- Gordon Douglas, Trisha Lucero and American West — co-sponsored ileged minority students, most of instead of taking three generations to Ksenija Vidulic, who all attended the by the Huntington Library whose parents were poor immigrants, reach the upper echelons of society, London School of Economics, and William Deverell, Director of The attend some of the most prestigious bright, poor, minority students could Suzanne Mayo, who is attending the Huntington-USC Institute on California and colleges and universities in the nation. do it in one generation—their own,” University of Hawaii. the West, reveals the secrets of California’s “Michael strongly believed that says John Sargent, Sullivan’s friend, —K.S. past and talks about the remarkable inno- vation and diversity that has come to define the Golden State. The Huntington Library A Sampling of Recent Grants 1151 Oxford Road San Marino, California

Pioneer Lyman Alpha Measurements Susan Owen, Earth Sciences October 14, 2004 Award from U.S. Geological Survey for Geodetic Science and the Future of the Margaret J. Gatz, Psychology Analysis of Three-Dimensional Active Faulting Award from the National Institute of Mental in the Ventura Basin California Coast — co-sponsored Health for Generalized Anxiety Disorder in by the USC Associates Older Adults; Award from the Alzheimer’s Geraldine Peters, Space Sciences Center Anthony Michaels, Director of the USC Association for Risk and Protective Factors for Award from the National Aeronautics and Space Wrigley Institute for Environmental Alzheimer’s Disease Administration for Accretion Structures around B Stars in Interacting Binaries; Award from the Studies, discusses the state of Dennis Hedgecock, Biological Sciences National Aeronautics and Space Administration California’s coast and the prospects for a Award from the University of Washington for for Accretion Structures Around B Stars in healthy ocean. Pacific Oyster Study; Award from the U.S. Fish Interacting Binaries The Claremont Resort & Spa and Wildlife Service for Using Molecular 41 Tunnel Road Techniques to Preserve Genetic Integrity of Surya G.K. Prakash, Chemistry Berkeley, California Endangered Salmon in a Supplementation Award from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Program California Institute of Technology for Advanced Solid Polymer Electrolytes for Rechargeable November 11, 2004 Dale A. Kiefer, Biological Sciences Lithium Batteries Collections, Collectors and their Award from the Food and Agriculture Stories — co-sponsored by the Organization of the United Nations for ICAMS Wayne Raskind, Mathematics USC Alumni Association Robert Bau, Chemistry Nile Delta Project Award from the National Security Agency for Award from the American Chemical Society for Motivic Cohomology and Arithmetic Geometry Malcolm Baker, Director of the USC- Neutron Diffraction Studies on Polyhydrido Yong-Gang Li, Earth Sciences Getty Program in the History of Metal Complexes Award from the National Science Foundation Paul Frank Singer, Mathematics Collecting and Display, discusses the cul- for Seismic Characterization of Core Structure Award from Anteon Corporation for Feature ture of art collecting. He previously William M. Berelson, Earth Sciences of the San Andreas Fault at Parkfield, Aided Tracking (FAT) for M-Track Award from the National Science Foundation for California using Fault-Zone Guided Waves worked at the Victoria and Albert Evaluation of Opal, Dissolution Kinetics and Ta-Liang Teng, Earth Sciences Museum in London. Factors that may Regulate Opal Accumulation in Kenneth H. Nealson, Earth Sciences Award from the Central Weather Bureau-Taiwan Margin Sediments Award from Argonne National Laboratory for for Earthquake Strong-Motion Rapid Reporting Union League Analysis of Shewanella Oneidensis Membrane System and Related Studies 38 East 37th Street (at Park) James Dolan & Charles G. Sammis, Earth Sciences Protein Expression in response to Electron New York, New York Award from the National Science Foundation for Acceptor Availability; Award from the Jet Mark Thompson, Chemistry Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute for Award from the American Chemical Society for Direct Observation of Depth Variation in Fault December 2, 2004 Zone Structure through the Seismogenic Crust Technology for the Investigation of the Nature Singlet Oxygen Sensitization by and Stability of Biosignatures Cyclometallated Iridium and Platinum Jesus in America — co-sponsored Linda Duguay, USC Sea Grant Complexes; Award from New Energy & Ind. by the USC Alumni Association Award from the National Oceanic and Magnus Nordborg, Biological Sciences Tech. Dev. Org. (NEDO) for Multidisciplinary Richard Wightman Fox, USC College Atmospheric Administration for USC Sea Grant Award from the National Institute of General Approach to Electrical Doping of Conjugated Omnibus Proposal Medical Sciences for Haplotype Block Molecular Films Professor of History, talks about his new Structure of the Arabidopsis Genome book “Jesus in America: Personal Savior, Pradip Gangopadhyay, Physics Curt Wittig, Chemistry Cultural Hero, National Obsession.” Award from the National Aeronautics and Space David A. Okaya, Earth Sciences Award from the National Science Foundation for Administration for Exploration of the Award from the National Science Foundation the purchase of a Maldi-Tof Mass Spectrometer; The Four Seasons Hotel Heliosphere by Solar Backscattered Lyman for Collaborative Research: Mapping Crustal Award from the Department of Energy for 690 Newport Center Drive Alpha Radiation, Interpretation of Voyager and Tectonic Structure Using Seismic Anistrophy Photo-initiated Processes in Small Hydrides Newport Beach, California SULLIVAN PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN SARGENT

VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3 Fall/September 2004 USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences 19 Book Challenges the ‘When in Rome’ Syndrome

he owner of the Chinese live- takes one’s cus- But divisions remain—especially in animal food shop doesn’t get it. toms and beliefs areas where laws are on the books. Why was she cited for selling into account in Renteln started studying cultural live chickens when the Italian criminal cases. defenses a decade ago. At that time, Trestaurant across the street boils Although she was ambivalent about using cul- dozens of live lobsters everyday? Renteln doesn’t tural arguments in court. A man from Yemen is equally mys- believe cultural “I believed people had a right to tified. He was arrested for chewing defenses should follow their cultural traditions, but Khat leaves, which yield a wired be used to excuse how far do you go? There was a con- effect comparable to drinking three an illegal activity, flict between the right to one’s espressos. He did not know the leaves she does think culture and other human rights,” are considered a controlled substance the courts should she says. in the United States. consider a defen- “In the end, if the traditions don’t For many immigrants, living in dant’s cultural involve irreparable harm to [people], America is a cultural balancing act: background dur- the government should not interfere they struggle to preserve their native ing the guilt and with them. Cultural information customs while conforming to the laws When Cultures Collide: Political Scientist Alison Dundes Renteln penalty phases of should be admissible in all cases to explores the issue in her new book. of their new home. a case, particularly help the court understand motiva- In her new book The Cultural when assigning a tions, but that does not mean I think Defense (Oxford, 2004), Alison Dundes right to your culture is a basic human punishment. culture should always influence the Renteln of USC College examines right. People may act in ways that As more immigrants make their outcome in cases,” she adds. hundreds of court cases involving cus- seem totally out of line but make homes in the United States and in “I am usually in support of the cul- toms and religious beliefs linked to sense when you understand their cus- other countries in Europe, arguments tural defense, which means opening alleged drug abuse, animal cruelty toms and background.” concerning the right to maintain one’s the door to evidence about a person’s and mistreatment of the dead. Although there is no official cultur- cultural identity are becoming increas- cultural background. We have to take “The whole point of the book is to al defense in any legal system, courts ingly prevalent in schools, workplaces a case-by-case approach to deciding challenge policies based on the ‘When often are left to decide whether a per- and courts. At the same time, immi- whether the information should affect in Rome’ presumption,” says Renteln, son’s culture can offer an explanation grants are feeling pressure to conform the disposition of the case.” a professor of political science “The of behavior. Yet it’s rare that a judge to American standards. —Gilien Silsby, USC News Service

Swift Progress USC College sails past key milestones on new life sciences building

ow more than Aoun. “The university and our many halfway to comple- college supporters are making a tion, construction major investment in the College’s of USC College’s research infrastructure, an invest- NMolecular & Computational ment that will enable our faculty to Biology building is “on time make new biological and medical dis- and on budget,” according coveries and train the best of to Jim McElwain, the pri- tomorrow’s scientists.” mary liaison on capital Recent milestones include: projects in the College • In late April, construction crews fin- Dean’s Office. ished the building’s concrete frame. The state-of-the-art, $55- After pouring the concrete for the million life science facility final roof slab the crew joined is on-track to meet its tar- College faculty and others for the geted opening date in May traditional “Topping Out” party. 2005, just two years after • With the building’s skeleton in construction began on a site place, the crew started on the next to Kaprielian Hall. building’s skin. In June, they “We’ve met some tight added a façade of brick and stone deadlines, and we’ve passed to the exterior. the point when we’re most • Focus has shifted to the building’s likely to be hit by delays interior. In summer, faculty toured and unforeseen costs from a laboratory mock-up and gave bad weather or other problems. If An Inside View: A College scientist eyes the space soon to be transformed into cutting-edge feedback on design. molecular biology labs. everything continues this smoothly, • Fundraising continues to proceed Scott Stone we should have no problem finishing with the support of individuals, on time and on budget,” McElwain comed the news of rapid progress on “This magnificent facility is cru- foundations, corporations and the says. the construction, adding that fundrais- cial to the continued growth in life U.S. government. College Dean Joseph Aoun wel- ing efforts are advancing in tandem. sciences research at USC,” says Dean —E.E. RENTELN PHOTO COURTESY OF USC NEWS SERVICE; CONSTRUCTION BY EVA EMERSON

20 USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences Fall/September 2004 VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3 College Commons

Salvatori Scholarships Reward Volunteerism

PRESENT PAST

Patricia Gonzalez, a College junior, accepts the Grace Ford Salvatori Community Scholarship Henry and Grace Ford Salvatori give a community service award to student Laura Ahmad in Award from Jane Cody, associate dean of academic programs, in 2004. 1983.

ndustrialist and long-time USC trustee Henry Salvatori deeply believed that the community, feel responsible for it and care more about the issues affecting service is each individual citizen’s responsibility. It was upon this idealistic society,” says Tammy Anderson, director of JEP. bedrock that he established the Grace Ford Salvatori Community Scholarship This year, the scholarship was awarded to Jacqueline Deelstra, Elizabeth Fund in honor of his late wife’s longtime association with USC College’s Joint DiGiacomo, Patricia Gonzalez and Rivka Katz, each of who are extremely dedi- IEducational Project (JEP) (for more on JEP, see page 8). cated to community service and have all volunteered through JEP. The scholarship, which was established in 1991, is given annually to as many “I grew up just a few blocks away from USC’s campus,” says Gonzalez, a jun- as six College students who best exemplify Salvatori’s community-minded spirit. ior psychology and occupational therapy major. “So when I’m working with Salvatori died in 1997 at the age of 96. these local kids, I feel like I’m giving back to a ‘little me.’ There is just so much “Salvatori believed that through service, young people become invested in of a need to give back around here.” —K.S.

In conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide last April, USC College Religion Professor Donald Miller and his wife, Lorna Touryan Miller, released a photo-essay report of inter- views conducted with 100 orphans of the genocide. The Millers interviewed children who are part of the Association des Orphelins Chefs de Menages (AOCM), an organization of orphans who are heads of households. Created in 2000, the associa- tion now contains over 1,300 members and provides sup- port, solidarity and education for those desperately in need of a community.

From left to right: USC College Dean Joseph Aoun, South Korean Ambassador to the United States Han Sung Joo and USC Alumnus Chester Chang (’87). What’s News With You?

USC College values the close-knit community created by its The Art of Giving students, alumni, faculty and affiliates. That’s why we’re interested in learning about what you’ve been up to, and In commemoration of the final event of USC College’s Korean Studies Institute’s sharing it with your College family and friends. If you have 2003-2004 Ambassadorial Lecture Series, USC alumnus Chester Chang, M.S. ‘87, some news you’d like to announce, please send the infor- (far right) presents USC College Dean Joseph Aoun (left) and Korean Ambassador mation to [email protected], or mail it to: Han Sung Joo with pieces from his esteemed private collection of Korean art and USC College Magazine antiquities. The speaker, Ambassador Han, discussed the challenge North Korea University of Southern California poses to world security. Chang says his gifts are meant to encourage others to sup- ADM 304, MC 4012 port the Institute, which will soon move into a newly renovated building. Los Angeles, CA 90089-4012 SALVATORI SCHOLARSHIP PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE USC COLLEGE JOINT EDUCATIONAL PROJECT; KOREA PHOTO BY LEE SALEM PHOTOGRAPHY, INC.; RWANDAN JERRY BERNDT PHOTO BY FIRST LASTNAME

VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3 Fall/September 2004 USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences 21 College Commons

Sofia Ruiz-Alfaro and Claudia Soria, for Year. In the book, the Mootes apply their mer program at the Gilder Lehrman Faculty News “SPAN 240—Creating an Online Reader knowledge of history (A. Lloyd) and Institute at Columbia University. for Spanish 240.” microbiology (Dorothy) to analyze the results of their original archival research. Doctoral Travel Awards International Nigerian Conference American Academy of Microbiology Alba Hesselroth, a graduate student in Distinguished Lecture Series , former USC dean USC College C. Sylvester Whitaker the School of International Relations, of social sciences and communications Kenneth Nealson, Wrigley Chair in marine micro- and Tomoya Matsumoto, graduate stu- (1987-1992) and emeritus professor of Environmental Studies and professor of biologist dent in economics, received Association political science, was an invited speaker earth sciences and biological sciences, of Pacific Rim Universities Doctoral Douglas at the International Conference on the spoke at the Louisiana State University Student Conference Travel Awards to Capone has Sokoto Caliphate and its Legacies in Chancellor’s Distinguished Lecture been elected a attend the APRU conference at the Abuju, Nigeria, in June. At the confer- Series in May. Fellow of the University of Sydney, Australia. ence, he contributed his expertise on American colonial transformation and contemporary Christe’s Compounds Academy of relevance of the caliphate. A caliph is a Microbiology. Karl Christe, a chemist in the Loker successor of Muhammad as temporal and Douglas Capone Holder of the Hydrocarbon Research Institute, has spiritual head of Islam Alumni News William and Julie Wrigley Chair in received attention for his recent synthesis Environmental Studies and professor of of new binary metal polyazide com- BWF Career Award biological sciences, Capone was recog- pounds, which hold promise for Inventor of the Year nized for revealing the importance of Genomics electronic applications. His work was microbes in global nitrogen and carbon researcher described in Chemical & Engineering News, Bhima cycling. Capone was cited for discovering Noah a magazine published by the American Vijayendran the critical—and quantitatively impor- Rosenberg, a Chemical Society. (Ph.D., tant—role nitrogen-fixing microbes play postdoctoral Chemistry, ’69) in the movement of nitrogen through fellow in molec- Gay and Lesbian Rights has been marine ecosystems. He was also honored ular and Walter L. Williams, recognized by for his pioneering research on plankton, computational professor of anthropolo- the Battelle most notably the cyanobacteria biology, has gy and gender studies, Memorial Trichodesmium—a group of tiny marine received a 2004 co-wrote (with Yolanda Institute as algae that can transform atmospheric Burroughs Noah Rosenberg “Inventor of Retter) Gay and Lesbian Bhima Vijayendran nitrogen gas into a form readily used by Wellcome Fund Career Award in the Rights in the United States: the Year.” other living things. Biomedical Sciences. Rosenberg is one of A Documentary History. Vijayendran joined Battelle in 1995 and is just 16 young scientists nationwide to be (Greenwood Press, one of the leading authorities on specialty Gifford Lectures selected for the annual award, which 2003). Professor chemical and polymer systems for a wide includes $500,000 in start-up funds and range of applications. Stephen Toulmin, Henry R. Luce Williams has recently aims to foster the development and pro- Professor in Anthropology and served as an expert witness in several U.S. ductivity of promising scientists early in Rebuilding Iraq International Relations, has been invited Immigration Court cases involving gay their careers. to present at the Gifford Lectures in immigrants seeking U.S. asylum on the Evans Hanson (B.A., Economics, ’00) Edinburgh. Since their inception in the basis of anti-gay persecution in their home was quoted in an NBC News segment Clinical Psychology Society late 1800s, the Gifford Lectures have country. about the role of civil affairs specialists in become the foremost intellectual event Professor of Iraq. Captain Evans, a civil affairs special- on the subject of religion. Psychology ist in Iraq, works to find local contractors Gerald for reconstruction projects. The Economics of Islam Davison has Student News been elected Giving Back King Faisal Chair in President of Islamic Thought and It’s all come the Society of Culture and Professor A Rising Neuroscientist full circle for Clinical of Economics Timur Elda Pech Psychology, a Up-and-coming Kuran has recently Kimberly Christian (B.A., General division of the scientist published a book enti- Studies ’98), a American Gerald Davison Kimberly tled Islam and testing adminis- Psychological Association. Christian com- Mammon: The Economic pleted her trator at L.A. Predicaments of Unified School New Neuroscience Director doctoral studies Islamism. (Princeton University Press, in a whirlwind District’s , associate professor of 2004). In the book, Kuran argues that the Michael Quick of recognition Magnolia biological sciences, is the new director of Elda Pech doctrine of Islamic economics is largely this spring. Elementary the USC Neuroscience Graduate irrelevant to present economic challenges. Christian School. This fall, Pech will place volun- Program. He replaces Professor Larry Kuran also has received a Guggenheim received the teer USC students through the College’s Swanson, who will return to his own Fellowship and will spend the upcoming first annual William E. Trusten Student Joint Educational Program (JEP) in teach- research and writing. academic year at Stanford University. Award from the biological sciences depart- ing assistant positions at Magnolia. More ment just hours before being named than 10 years ago, Pech volunteered as a State Ocean Summit Highest Honors for Geophysicist “Student of the Year” by the USC first-grade teaching assistant through JEP at Vermont Elementary, a school just Anthony Michaels, director of the USC An emeritus professor and member of the Neuroscience Graduate Program. In the down the street from Magnolia. Wrigley Institute for Environmental U.S. National Academy of Sciences, fall, Christian departs for a prestigious Studies and professor of biology, joined Keiiti Aki has received the 2004 William postdoctoral fellowship at the National Alum Actor an expert panel advising Gov. Arnold Bowie Medal, the highest honor Institute of Mental Health, where she will Schwarzenegger on new strategies to bestowed by the American Geophysical continue her behavioral and electrophysio- Austin Nichols (B.A., English, ’02) was address coastal pollution and ocean pro- Union. One of the leading seismologists logical studies of learning and memory. featured in a Jackson, Mich., newspaper, tection at the first California Ocean of his era, Aki was selected for his “out- The Jackson Citizen Patriot, for his budding Summit held in Sacramento last April. In standing contributions to fundamental History Awards acting career. Nichols was cast in two geophysics and for unselfish cooperation episodes of the popular HBO series “Six May, Michaels received the Trojan Doctoral history student Craig Lofton League’s Outstanding Professor award. in research.” was awarded a $30,000 Social Science Feet Under,” played J.D. in the movie Research Council fellowship for research “The Day After Tomorrow” and will play Faculty Innovation Honored Emeritus Book on Great Plague on sexuality for his dissertation on homo- Jake Hammon in the romantic comedy “Wimbledon.” Five proposals were awarded grants from Emeritus Professor of sexual identity in the 1950s. Victoria the Fund for Innovative Undergraduate History A. Lloyd Vantoch, also in the history department’s Outstanding Faculty Award Teaching for the academic year 2004- Moote, along with his Ph.D. program, won a year’s fellowship at 2005. Faculty winners in the College wife, Dorothy, has pub- the National Air and Space Museum at John F. Kennedy University selected include: Kelly Musick, assistant professor lished a major study of the Smithsonian, funded by the David Nyssen (B.A., History, ’87) as the of sociology, for “SOC 169—New Family the last great plague in Guggenheim Foundation, for her disser- 2004 honoree of the Harry L. Morrison Forms in Social Context: Connecting London entitled The tation on stewardesses in the 1950s. Outstanding Faculty Award. Nyssen is Theory, Practice and Community”; and Great Plague: The Story Undergraduate history student, Tracy an adjunct faculty member at JFK of London’s Most Deadly , received a fellowship for the sum- University’s School of Law. two lecturers in Spanish and Portuguese, Wang VIJAYENDRAN PHOTO COURTESY OF VIJAYENDRAN; ALL OTHER PHOTOS BY USC COLLEGE MAGAZINE STAFF

22 USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences Fall/September 2004 VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3

LAFFONT PHOTO BY PHIL CHANNING; TRUSTEN PHOTO BY GLEN SMITH Obituaries $20,000 andone-halftuitionfortwoyears. Chacko willreceiveanannualgrantof One ofonly10recipientsselected, Soros FellowshipforNewAmericans. UCLA, wasawardedaPaulandDaisy ’00), afirst-yearmedicalstudentat Angeles. spent thepastyearteachinginLos University ofWisconsin-Madison. She major Ph.D.fellowshipfromthe Academic Initiativeclass,hasaccepteda a memberoftheveryfirstNeighborhood who firstcametoUSCinthe7thgradeas Karina Mendoza Student Success Neighborhood AcademicInitiative Heidi M.Hurd Commencement Speaker schools. cation atRoyalOakandCharterhigh He taughtbothhistoryandphysicaledu- ’68) hasretired. M.S., Education, Education, ’67; (B.A., Physical Mike Mandala Covina, Calif., District of Unified School Charter Oak teaching inthe After 36yearsof Devoted CaliforniaTeacher Retires Jacob Chacko Fellowship forNewAmericans mencement exercisesinMay. speaker atMonmouthCollege’s com- Urbana-Champaign, wasthefeatured of LawattheUniversityIllinois Philosophy, ’92),11thdeanoftheCollege Competition inTelecommunications private andstate-ownedfirms.His book of thelargest EuropeanandAmerican zations suchastheWorld Bank andsome provided guidancetointernational organi- Professor. Throughouthislife,Laffont recently namedaUSCDistinguished John ElliottChairinEconomics.Hewas September 2001asthefirstholderof French economics.” has donethemostforstudyof tutions, heisoneoftheeconomiststhat and histirelessworkindevelopinginsti- with thoseofNobelPrize-winningcaliber “Through hisresearch,whichranked economists ofhisgeneration,”adding, remembered Laffont as,“Oneofthebest Professor, 57 Jean-Jacques Laffont,Distinguished Press), translatedintoChinese,was an Jean-Jacques Laffont Laffont joinedUSCCollegein (B.A., BiologicalSciences, (J.D., ’88,Ph.D., (B.A., English,’02), Mike Mandala Laffont Jacques Le Monde Professor Economics USC College On May1, the newspaper cer. OnMay5, battle withcan- after along (MIT died Jean- A. Smith,BiologicalSciences,AHF Trusten StudentAward”) incareofGlen endowed award(payableto“William E. memory maybemadetosupport the the NationalInstitutesofHealth. Christian, nowapostdoctoralfellowat neuroscience doctoralstudentKim inaugural $1,000awardwaspresentedto Trusten’s hospital roominMay, the At asmall,briefceremonyheldin the William E.Trusten Student Award. successfully collected$20,000toendow Trusten hadtouched,thedepartment College andindividualswhoselives With fundsfromthedepartment, ated anewstudentawardinhishonor. navigate thegraduateschoolexperience. helped scoresofstudentssuccessfully biology doctoralprograms.Trusten 1996, directingtheadministrationofall biology graduatestudentsandthen,in in 1988,firstworkingwiththemolecular Trusten joinedthebiologydepartment School ofMusic,diedJune9cancer. Thornton nus ofUSC and analum- department sciences biological USC College member inthe ior staff long-time sen- Trusten William E. advisor, 51 William E.Trusten, dedicated student Andrus David J. David Andrus,belovedteacher, 63 University in1975. Ph.D. inEconomicsfromHarvard papers and14books.Laffont earnedhis He wastheauthorofmorethan200 he hadbuiltaleadingresearchcenter. from theUniversityofToulouse, where ics department.Laffont cametoUSC senior facultytoUSCCollege’s econom- was instrumentalinattractingnumerous theoretical andappliedeconomics ment’s researchefforts inareasof strengthening theeconomicsdepart- industry handbook. es topopulationssuffering conflict. human-shielding andintermediaryservic- Teams, anorganization thatprovides 2003, hostedbyChristianPeacemaker Crescent. HereturnedtoIraqinJune delegation sponsoredbytheRed a memberofhumanitarianassessment war Iraq.In1999,hespenttimeinIraqas foreign policy, particularlythatofpost- was thelong-termimpactofcurrentU.S. Relations. Atthecenterofhisresearch from USCinPoliticsandInternational the peaceandconflictstudiesprogram. American issuesandservedasdirectorof adjunct instructorin1994teachingLatin Relations asan International USC Schoolof joined the cancer. Andrus June 29from activist, died sor andpeace College profes- Donations bycheckinTrusten’s Before hisdeath,thedepartmentcre- At USC,Laffont wasaforcebehind Andrus receivedhisM.A.andPh.D. , USC , a VOLUME 5 NUMBER 31 5NUMBER VOLUME David J.Andrus William E.Trusten Fall/September 2004 Hampton BeachPreservationSociety. ing memberandpresidentoftheEast Central ParkConservancy, andafound- circuit television,wasatrusteeforthe 3. Hedevelopedtheconceptofclosed the Learning Center. Hewasacolumnistfor died March9.Hewasthefounder of the Sciences atOhioStatefrom1974-78. the CollegeofSocialandBehavioral from 1960-69.Healsoservedasdeanof of socialsciencesandcommunications from 1947-1969anddeanofthedivision He wasaprofessorofsociologyatUSC ’37; Ph.D.,Sociology, ’42)diedApril21. Fund atUSC. of theDavidE.NuttallScholarship has beenhonoredwiththeestablishment working intheaerospaceindustry. He from USC,hespentmostofhislife Commendation Medal.Aftergraduating and in1962wasawardedtheAirForce with theU.S.AirForcefrom1960-63 Nuttall wasaphoto-radarinterpreter Ph.D., Physics,’77)diedMarch24. society thathadfailedthem. novels thatdealtwiththevictimsofa Psychological Association. dent oftheSanFernandoValley Nathan L.Halpern Nathan L.Halpern,television pioneer, 90 William Whitney William Whitney, historian,88 Edward C.McDonagh 89 Edward C.McDonagh,sociologist, Selby Hubert Selby,Hubert writer, 75 Jerome Lawrence “Inherit theWind,” 88 Jerome Lawrence,playwright,wrote 90089-0371. 107F, MC0371,USC,LosAngeles,CA Gerald Deskin psychology, 75 Gerald Deskin,pioneerineducational Jean ClevelandRoberts, activist andenvironmentalist,85 peace Jean ClevelandRoberts, David E.Nuttall David E.Nuttall,physicist,62 who wrote was aninternationallyacclaimedauthor for nearly20years,diedApril26.Selby the USCProfessionalWriting Program for aDream Society from1966-70. tive directoroftheCaliforniaHistorical Southern Californiaandservedasexecu- tory atcollegesthroughoutNorthernand died January13.Whitneytaughtarthis- taught playwritingatUSC. room drama“InherittheWind.” He whose playsincludetheclassiccourt- was aplaywrightandtheaterdirector for 16years,diedFebruary28.Lawrence the USCProfessionalWriting Program Studies. USC Wrigley InstituteforEnvironmental environmentalist andhelpedfundthe Violence Studies.Shewasalsoadedicated College RobertsProfessorshipinApplied her husbandBurton,createdtheUSC a tirelesspeaceactivistwho,alongwith USC supporter, diedJune15.Roberts was Los AngelesDailyNews Last ExittoBrooklyn , andotherdark,existential , anadjunctprofessorin (Ph.D., Psychology, (M.A., Physics,’74; (B.A., ArtHistory, ’37) , afacultymemberin (B.A., ’36)diedApril (B.A., Sociology, and pastpresi- a longtime , Requiem USC &Sciences College of Letters, Arts ’ 68) Staff Writers: Beth Meyerowitz, Donal Manahan, Joseph Aoun, Administration Rosemary Tomich Glenn Sonnenberg Alicia Smotherman Debra L.Reed Gerald S.Papazian Philip Morais Katherine Loker David Y. Lee Suzanne NoraJohnson Stephen G.Johnson George “Chip”Hughes Janice BryantHowroyd Gary R.Hooper Patrick C.Haden Jana Waring Greer Ilene Gold Allen Gilbert Robert Dockson James S.Corfman Richard W. Cook Susan Casden Robin Broidy Gregory Brakovich George N.Boone Robert Beyer Jay V. Berger Mark Benjamin Joan Abrahamson Robert F. Erburu, Board ofCouncilors &Sciences Arts USC CollegeofLetters, [email protected] Los Angeles,CA90089-4012 ADM 304 c/o MerlynStigger USC CollegeMagazine Please sendallcorrespondenceto: “USC CollegeMagazine”isappreciated. republish isgivenfreely. Attributionto Southern California.Permissiontoquoteor Arts &SciencesattheUniversityof times ayearbytheUSCCollegeofLetters, USC CollegeMagazineispublishedthree Kathy Yoshihara, Merlyn Stigger, Alfred Kildow, Gilien Silsby, UshaSutliff Contributing Writers: Kaitlin Solimine Katherine Yungmee Emerson, Eva Kim, Nicole St.Pierre, USC CollegeMagazine Roger D.Stewart, Margo Steurbaut, Sarah Pratt, June ThamesPoust, Administration andPlanning for Advancement Business Affairs Dean ofAcademicPrograms Dean Advisor Administrator Executive Director Designer Dean ofResearch Senior AssociateDeanfor Chairman Dean ofFaculty Senior AssociateDeanfor eirAssociateDean Senior 23 University of Southern California Non-Profit Fall/September 2004 3551 Trousdale Parkway, ADM 303 Organization Los Angeles, CA 90089-4012 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED U.S. Postage Paid University of Southern California Special Insert Inside: Learning for a Lifetime Undergraduate Education at USC College By College Dean Joseph Aoun

Vietnam War. “Both states seem to actively want Saigon in the Springtime to suppress troublesome aspects of the past,” he comments. Examining the ‘historical memory’ of the Vietnam War His Writing His main priority, he says, has been “ his fiction writing. He is currently f we look at Asian American history,” working on a short story collection. Viet Nguyen says, “it’s very difficult Nguyen’s first book, Race and to isolate the ‘national’ from the Resistance: Literature and Politics in ‘international.’ What the U.S. was Asian America looked at how politics Idoing in Asia, and what was happen- was dealt with in literature both as a ing within Asian politics and series of events, such as internment, economies, impacted Asian Americans war and exclusion, and as a method very much.” of formal expression. Nguyen, at Last spring, Nguyen—an associate Vietnam He also examined the political professor of English and American National limitations of Asian American identity studies and ethnicity at USC College University in and culture. What came out of a radi- Saigon, and a 2002 Raubenheimer Junior cal movement in the ’60s has become where he Faculty Award recipient—spent his spent his “a middle-class identity and culture sabbatical leave in Saigon, where he sabbatical that does more to advance capitalism worked on two projects. One is a col- last spring. and globalization.” lection of short stories, and the other He calls his work “basically pes- is a critical project on the relationship nomic deprivation. identity. “I had to ask myself yet simistic” but credits his recent foray between Vietnam and the United And then in 1975 when the south again who I was,” he says. into fiction for making him a better States. collapsed, Nguyen’s family fled “Vietnamese, Vietnamese American, literary critic. “I am retooling myself as a schol- Vietnam for the United States, leav- Asian American or American...What “Being able to write fiction makes ar in an age of globalization,” ing a hard-earned fortune as tailors, does it mean for me to take my a critic more sensitive to the chal- Nguyen explains. “I never intended jewelers, auto dealers and merchants. western academic training and live lenges that writers face, and to the to do international or comparative Amidst the chaos, they were also sep- in Vietnam?” complexities of form. I have to think work.” He says that when he was a arated from their adopted daughter. about how my theory of literature can graduate student at UC Berkeley, This story, Nguyen informs, is Prejudices and Preconceptions actually be carried out in the writing where he received his Ph.D. in not at all unusual in the Vietnamese During his sabbatical, he was skep- of fiction.” English, he was purely focused upon American community, where the tical of the Communist state, and Nguyen asks himself how one Asian American claims to a national dissolution of families and the questioned its limitations on free writes a story about an outsider in belonging. tragedies of war are commonplace speech and economic progress. Part of Vietnam without objectifying the out- Nguyen notes that the trip has conversations. those biases come from growing up in sider or the natives. “This question of impacted his academic work as an His extended family in Vietnam San Jose, California, in a virulently objectification recurs constantly in lit- Americanist, and will undoubtedly still relies upon his parents for remit- anti-communist Vietnamese American erature about Americans in Asia, or by enrich his classes at the College, tances. “So,” he points out, “the enclave. Asian Americans writing about Asia.” where he teaches American literature history of division, dependence and “I wanted to see how the “It’s easy enough for me to criti- and film, with a focus on race, nation- inequality has been very important Vietnamese were living and grappling cize writers,” he admits. “But it’s ality, class and gender. to me.” with various kinds of political, cultur- very hard for me to actually do what Last spring marked his second al and economic issues,” he claims. “I they do.” The Personal and the Political visit to Vietnam. Two years ago, his had many prejudices and preconcep- Nguyen also studied the Nguyen was born in Vietnam and first journey left him “dismayed tions and I wanted to test them Vietnamese language at Vietnam spent the early years of his childhood tremendously by the poverty and the against what I saw.” National University, the most compet- in Buon Me Thuot, a village known culture shock.” Because of his per- He has also come to question simi- itive public university in Saigon. He for its coffee. The town was also the sonal ties to the country, he felt his lar topics in America. met up with his long-lost sister in first to be captured in the 1975 inva- “unequal and unearned status as a “I want to keep that comparative June and spent the rest of the sum- sion of the south. rich tourist,” and he directly experi- focus, acknowledging similarities mer continuing his studies and Nguyen’s parents—devout enced the guilt of the dysfunctional without obliterating differences,” conducting research interviews. In the Vietnamese Catholic peasants—were relationship that the Antiguan writer Nguyen states. fall, Nguyen will begin a year-long fic- doubly displaced. In 1954, as Vietnam Jamaica Kincaid describes “between His research project will demon- tion writing fellowship from the Fine was about to be divided along the tourists and natives because of the strate how both nations grapple with Arts Work Center in Provincetown, 17th parallel, they had fled the north, larger inequalities of globalization.” parallel issues. One major focus will Massachusetts. fearing religious persecution and eco- He was forced to revisit issues of be the “historical memory” of the —Katherine Yungmee Kim

24 USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences Fall/September 2004 VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3 PHOTO COURTESY OF VIET NGUYEN