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Spring 2019 Division of Humanities and Social Sciences Spring 2019 Newsletter Bridgewater College

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This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences at BC Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Division of Humanities and Social Sciences Newsletters by an authorized administrator of BC Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. DIVISION of HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

HISTORYNEWSLETTER AND POLITICAL SCIENCE | PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION | SOCIOLOGY SPRING 2019 WORLD LANGUAGES AND CULTURES The Dr. Emmert F. Bittinger Endowed Fund This past fall, Dr. Emmert F. Bitting- cross-cultural engagement, the Bitting- er’s daughters, along with their spouses, er Fund will ensure that our students gave their father a remarkable gift for his continue to have access to high-im- 93rd birthday. Lorraine pact learning practices Bittinger Lineweaver outside of the classroom. ’71, Mildred Bittinger Students will benefit MESSAGE FROM THE DIVISION HEAD Arnett and Marion K. from the fund as they Dear Alumni: Bittinger established an conduct research, attend The joy of learning is found in the endowed fund to honor professional conferences intentional and serendipitous ways we the impact Dr. Bittinger and participate in other make connections. We see this kind has had on the lives of activities that foster their of connected learning daily at Bridge- students at Bridgewater investment in their local water when we witness the delight a College. Dr. Bittinger, and global communities. student has synthesizing knowledge who graduated from the While preference will be across disciplines; the confidence a College in 1945, taught in the Depart- given to students who are majoring in student gains when applying assigned ment of Sociology from 1963 to 1988 sociology, other students in the Divi- readings to decisions made in the and introduced anthropology into the sion of Humanities and Social Sciences workplace; and the long-term impact College’s curriculum. Many alumni interested in anthropology, communi- of students, faculty and staff, building may remember traveling with Dr. Bit- ty-building, cross-cultural projects and friendships and connections across tinger to , Prague and Vienna. global experiences are also eligible. the globe. I hope you enjoy seeing the He also helped found the Lambda To learn more about this fund and power of this connected learning in Honor Society (now Philomathes ways to support it, please contact the the stories included in this newsletter. Society) at BC. Office of Institutional Advancement at Given Dr. Bittinger’s commitment to [email protected] or Betsy sociology, Anabaptist research and 540-828-5448. Dr. Harriett Hayes “Who are you?” Identity Studies at BC [email protected] “Who are you?” It’s the core question asked repeatedly in the of identity related to their field of study and future career. The mega-hit Black Panther. It’s also the central question of a new goal is to help students stand out in the job market or applica- minor in the Department of Sociology. This fall, the department tions to graduate schools. For example, a student entering law discontinued the Cultural Studies minor, replacing it with a enforcement could articulate their expertise in the intersec- new Identity Studies minor. While recognizing that students are tionalities of race and ethnicity, or a student seeking entrance often entering college with a practical, pre-professional orienta- into a master’s program in social work could highlight their tion, the department also knows that students are interested in research on gender dynamics among adolescents. The minor learning more about individual and social identities, thus bridg- will be advised by Dr. David L. Reznik, Associate Professor of ing theory and practice. The introductory course to the minor Sociology. The rollout of the new minor is accompanied by the focuses on identity around campus, while the capstone seminar establishment of a new concentration in race and ethnic stud- focuses on identity off campus. Students choose a concentration ies, which will also be housed in the Department of Sociology. such as race and ethnic studies, gender studies, Hispanic cultural Dr. Mwizenge S. Tembo, Professor of Sociology, will advise studies or German studies, in order to focus on a specific form the race and ethnic studies concentration. 1 HISTORY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE | PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION | SOCIOLOGY | WORLD LANGUAGES AND CULTURES | SPRING 2019 The Barzinji Project: International Collaborations to Advance Higher Education In February, Bridgewater College and the central role of Quranic studies • McKenzie Melvin, a sophomore hosted delegations from the Univer- in the curriculum. At IIUM, delegates political science major and Spanish sity of Sarajevo and the International focused on student development and minor Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM). the role of the sacred and secular in • Hunter Potts, a junior economics Subsequently, six Bridgewater Col- higher education. Throughout the trip, major lege delegates, along with delegates the student delegates wrestled with the from , had the question of what it might mean to shift • Nancy Klancher, Associate Profes- opportunity to travel to Bosnia and from being multicultural to intercul- sor of Religion Malaysia for two weeks at the begin- tural, as they discovered the similarities • Jamie Frueh, Director of the Cen- ning of March. These visits kicked off and differences across societies. ter for Engaged Learning the Barzinji Project, a collaborative In October, the delegates from all four • Robert Bryant, Associate Dean of international exchange that seeks to institutions will gather at Shenandoah Diversity and Inclusion foster cross-cultural understanding as University for a colloquium to share well as creativity and innovation in • Harriett Hayes, Division Head of insights and perspectives. The Bridge- Humanities and Social Sciences higher education. Shenandoah Univer- water delegation included: sity founded the grant-funded program to honor the life and mission of Jamal Barzinji, an American citizen with a passion for international collaboration. In Bosnia, members of the student parliament, historians, political scien- tists and fellow delegates at the Faculty of Islamic Studies at the University of Sarajevo helped the delegates from BC and Shenandoah gain a greater under- standing of the siege of Sarajevo, the genocide across Bosnia-Herzegovina and the ongoing impact of the Dayton Accords. The University of Sarajevo seeks to be a positive force as this multi-ethnic country recovers from war and wrestles with a complicated gov- ernment system. At the International Islamic University of Malaysia in Kuala Bridgewater delegates at the Mostar Bridge in Bosnia and Herzegovina. From left Lumpur, the delegation was introduced to right: Robert Bryant, Nancy Klancher, Hunter Potts, Harriett Hayes, Jamie Frueh to the core mission of the university and McKenzie Melvin PRACTICING DIPLOMACY In November, the Bridgewater College states that comprise the League of delegations won awards in their com- Model United Nations club attend- Arab States, the world’s oldest regional mittees. Grace Kellar and Parker Estes ed the Appalachia Regional Model political organization dedicated to won distinguished delegation in the Arab League conference at Hollins diplomacy and peace. Bridgewater Arab heads of state, Iyad Hmidat and University in Roanoke, Va. Although College’s Model UN club was first Lea Njosa won outstanding delegation similar in format to the Model Unit- established last academic year. Attend- in environmental affairs, and Joshua ed Nations, the Model Arab League ing only their second conference, three Carpenter and Everett Campbell won focuses specifically on the 22 member out of the six Bridgewater student outstanding delegation in economic

2 HISTORY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE | PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION | SOCIOLOGY | WORLD LANGUAGES AND CULTURES | SPRING 2019 Internships Launch Careers Just before graduating in May 2018, Marshall Miller, a Allison Henry, a senior sociology major, has completed two political science major with a public policy track, won the internships. In the fall, as part of her senior practicum in Showker Internship crime and justice, Henry worked at Blue Ridge Court Services Prize. During the spring in Staunton, Va. She learned about sentencing alternatives, semester of his senior witnessed the value of the therapeutic docket as a means of year, Marshall obtained providing mental health services to clients, and worked in pre- an internship with the trail and probation services. This spring, her social work field Log Cabin Republicans, experience is at the Valley Community Service Board, and, by serving as the executive midterms, Henry was certain she had found her true calling assistant to their Presi- as an Adult Mental Health Case Manager. The staff at Valley dent, Gregory T. Ange- CSB clearly feel the same way, since they have hired Henry in lo. He produced briefs the middle of her internship. While she finishes up her course for Angelo, researched work, she will work part-time for Valley CSB and get ready to policy data, tracked bills take on a full caseload post-graduation. Henry still can’t believe and managed the orga- she is getting paid to do what she loves! nization’s social media accounts. Midway through his intern- ship, Miller noted, “There is a certain language and etiquette in Courtney Hawkins, a senior double major in art and philoso- the professional world and politics in general. I know how to phy and religion with a minor in peace studies, engaged in an behave and carry myself in that world now. I’ve learned how to internship that was a perfect mix of her passion for photog- treat people with courtesy while also making hard asks.” Miller raphy, digital media, and nonprofit work targeting peace and now works for the Republican National Committee as a Rapid social justice. As an intern at On Earth Peace, an agency of the Response Research Analyst. , Hawkins created and organized an online “community of practice” focused on the Israel/Palestine Tiffany Weese, a senior sociology major with a social work conflict. According to Hawkins, a community of practice is a minor, organized her academic schedule so she could enroll group of practitioners working on a conflict, such as college in a full-time field experience during the fall semester of her students, nonprofit organizations or the broader public who senior year. When her friends and classmates were heading hope to learn more about the issue. Hawkins also won the back to classes in August, Weese was heading to work at the 2018 Showker Intern- Potomac Center’s adoption and foster care unit in Moorefield, ship Prize. Although ear- W.Va. During her field experience, Weese moved quickly from lier in her college career shadowing her supervisor to taking on more responsibilities she thought she might as a service coordinator. She loved building relationships with enter the field of social the foster parents, advocating for the children and designing work or join the Peace appropriate individual service plans for her clients. Weese has Corps, her internship has been offered a job at the Potomac Center immediately upon solidified her desire to her graduation in May and is currently employed by the agency apply her digital media part-time. She is delighted to continue serving clients with skills in the nonprofit whom she has built trust and rapport. sector upon graduation.

affairs. The Bridgewater students also with students from different ; won distinguished delegation for their develop leadership skills; problem representation of Jordan. solve, negotiate and compromise with people from different backgrounds; Annabell Knapp, President of the and foster skills in critical thinking and Model UN club, said the power of spirited debate. these conferences is extensive. They help BC students to build connections

3 HISTORY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE | PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION | SOCIOLOGY | WORLD LANGUAGES AND CULTURES | SPRING 2019

HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES 2019 COLLEGE AWARD WINNERS

HISTORY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION Daniel W. Bly-Lamar B. Neal History Ruth and Steve Watson Philosophy Scholarship Award and Political Science Outstanding Senior Award Jared Russell Madeline Carlson, Jonathan McDaniel Philosophy Award Dr. David McQuilkin Endowed Scholarship Laura Michaelis Luke Morgan, Jennifer Weakland Religion Award Michael Robert ("M.R.") Zigler Service Award Sterling Senger Syrga Kanatbek kyzy SOCIOLOGY John W. Wayland Scholarship In Public History Jacob Talley C. Wright Mills Award Allison Henry WORLD LANGUAGES AND CULTURES Raymond N. Andes Award Dafne Espinal Pena, Spanish

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