Princeton University Bulletin, Nov. 14, 2011
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PRINCETON UNIVERSITY BULLETINVolume 101, Number 3 Nov. 14, 2011 in Human Values, encourages broad- ranging conversations that stem from Examining ideas of a life worth living readings of novels and philosophy. Each class starts with a presenta- tion by a student who summarizes and K ARIN D IENST wanted to discuss how individuality chose the seminar because I never took might be defi ned, and how it “has been any philosophy classes in high school, analyzes that week’s texts, after which s they embark on their Princeton associated with a gamut of personal and I wanted to start my college expe- the group is invited to offer further careers, 15 freshmen are grap- qualities, both positive and negative, rience on a new note,” she said. comments. pling with a question that will such as creativity, originality, noncon- To engage with such a thought- On a recent evening, the discussion A centered on Aristotle’s notion of ethics be central to their lives: What is the formity and selfi shness.” provoking subject, the course, which meaning of a good life? For Gabriella Ravida, the class is is designated as the Kurt and Bea- The question is just one of many allowing her to do something new. “I trice Gutmann Freshman Seminar Continued on page 7 raised in the freshman seminar “Individuality as an Ideal,” which is being taught this fall by Kwame Anthony Appiah, the Laurance S. Rockefeller University Professor of Philosophy and the University Center for Human Values. Appiah is a world-renowned moral and political philosopher who has taught at Princeton since 2002. “Individuality is a great example of a topic that is both intellectually challenging and profoundly relevant to thinking about how one lives one’s own life,” Appiah said. He added, “It’s a perfect introduc- tion to a liberal education ... which is an education that prepares you for a life as a free individual, in charge of interpreting your situation and marshaling the resources that you’ve gotten from your genome, your family, INQUIRY AND DISCOVERY your school, your society, to manage MORE FRESHMAN SEMINAR STORIES: PAGES 6-7 the one life you have.” Jameson John by Photo Ankit Buddhiraju said he was In the freshman seminar “Individuality as an Ideal,” Professor Kwame Anthony Appiah (rear, center) assigns students readings of fi ction and drawn to the seminar because he philosophy to help them explore ideas about how to create a life worth living. At Princeton and in fi ction, Eugenides dives into classroom JENNIFER G REENSTEIN A LTMANN triangle in which they become entan- clinical depression, a post-collegiate Eugenides, a professor of creative gled. Set in the early 1980s, the novel trip to Calcutta and the pain that often writing in the Lewis Center for the n his new novel “The Marriage is a coming-of-age tale that follows the accompanies love. The title makes Arts, arrived at Princeton in 2007 to Plot,” Princeton creative writing characters — the lovely, bookish Mad- reference to the narrative structure of assume his fi rst full-time faculty posi- I professor Jeffrey Eugenides takes eleine; her boyfriend, depressed genius the 19th-century novels Madeleine is tion. He briefl y taught at Princeton the reader into a college classroom Leonard Bankhead; and the lovelorn, studying, in which the central con- from 1999 to 2000 before moving to where English major Madeleine Hanna spiritual seeker Mitchell Grammaticus cern of the plot is a woman’s marriage Berlin, where he wrote full time. is trying to carve out a life for herself — as they navigate college semiotics, prospects. Teaching, for him, “is mainly in which literature is a guiding force. remembering what it was like when I Eugenides, who himself was once a was sitting in the chair across from my student with similar aspirations, hopes creative writing teacher,” said Eugen- to help Princeton undergraduates also ides, who earned a master’s degree engage deeply with writing in his own in English and creative writing from classroom. Teaching, he says, is one of Stanford University. “I try to have my the toughest challenges he faces. students realize that all the mistakes Teaching “is in a way the most they’re making are mistakes that diffi cult thing I do,” Eugenides said. I’ve made and sometimes continue to “I have a much easier time standing make.” up in front of 500 people and giving Megan Hogan, who is working with a lecture or reading my work than Eugenides on her senior thesis, said, meeting the 10 faces around a “He encourages you to take risks, seminar table and trying to say to approach subjects and styles and something that’s useful to them. themes you always wanted to write It’s a hard task, and one I certainly about but didn’t think you could.” haven’t mastered.” Hogan described him as “unfailingly Eugenides is, however, a master enthusiastic” and “incredibly honest of the modern novel, having written Wojciechowski Frank by Photo about your work.” the critically acclaimed “The Virgin Taking Eugenides’ class her sopho- Princeton creative writing professor Jeffrey Eugenides Suicides” and “Middlesex,” winner of more year “defi nitely changed how takes readers into the classroom in his new novel, “The the 2003 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction. I write,” Hogan said. “My prose is Marriage Plot,” about three college students on the cusp of His new novel, “The Marriage Plot,” much more descriptive and confi dent graduation. In his own classroom at Princeton, Eugenides opens on graduation day at Brown now, and I venture further into my (center) talks to students about his creative process. This University — Eugenides’ alma mater characters’ heads. Even after stories of semester, Eugenides is teaching “Introductory Fiction” — and tells the story of three students and traveling on a 17-city book tour for his new novel. on the cusp of graduation and the love Continued on page 8 Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Eugenides Jeffrey of courtesy Photo Holiday outreach initiatives planned 2 What’s Progress on Seven new faculty members appointed 3 sustainability goals inside? Wilentz to speak on political partisanship 5 continues 4 PRINCETON 2 UNIVERSITY BULLETIN Nov. 14, 2011 Holiday outreach initiatives planned Spotlight embers of the University the YWCA Princeton St. Nicholas Center; 26 College Road; 180, 262, community will have the Project. For more information, go to 294 and 306 Alexander Road; and the M opportunity to share the holiday www.princeton.edu/odus. 100 level of Frist. The following items spirit through a series of community Organizers of a “Holiday Hoops” are especially needed: canned protein service initiatives and special events food drive will provide a $4 voucher (tuna, sardines, salmon and chicken); planned for December and January. off the price of a game-day ticket with canned fruit (in light syrup or juice); A “Heros for Heroes” campaign will the donation of a nonperishable food canned vegetables; rice; pasta; pasta enable campus community members to item when the Princeton men’s basket- sauce; Parmalat or other shelf-stable send special greetings to soldiers who ball team takes on Lafayette at 7 p.m. milk; cereals, oatmeal and pancake mix will be away from home this holiday Wednesday, Nov. 30, at Jadwin Gym- (nonsugar); peanut butter; jelly; dish season. Holiday cards or letters can nasium. In addition, free admission is and laundry detergent; soaps and body be sent individually or by a team. The available to those who bring two non- wash; deodorant; shampoo; condi- team or individual who delivers the perishable food items to the Princeton tioner; and feminine products. most cards and letters to the Frist women’s basketball game vs. Delaware University community members Campus Center by 2 p.m. Friday, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at Jadwin also may support the Send Hunger Dec. 2, will receive lunch from Hoagie Gym. All donations go to support the Packing Program, which provides Haven (up to $100 in value). Cards Friends of Mercer Street Food Bank. school-aged children in need with and stationery will be available at the Through Friday, Dec. 16, donations nutritionally sound, easy-to-open meals 100 level of Frist between 11 a.m. and of nonperishable food items and per- to get them through the weekend. Items 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, sonal hygiene products for the Mercer needed include shelf-stable 2 percent Nov. 30-Dec. 2. Each card and letter Street Friends Food Bank will be reduced-fat milk in an eight-ounce, collected will be included in a care collected at several campus sites: New single-serving size; cereal (individual Applewhite Denise by Photo package that will be sent to soldiers South; C230 Engineering Quadrangle; bowls or boxes); ready-to-eat tuna with overseas by the nonprofit organization Jadwin Gym; Helm Building; MacMil- or without crackers; microwaveable Name: Evangeline Kubu Operation Gratitude. lan Building; Robertson Hall; West entrees or bowls; peanut butter in jars Position: Manager of communications A holiday “A Cappella Jam and Toy College; Lewis Thomas Lab; 9 Nassau or individual cups; grape jelly in plastic and outreach for the Office of Career Drive” performance featuring several Hall; 200 Elm Drive; 185 Nassau St.; containers; yogurt smoothie drinks in Services. Creating branding and student a cappella groups will be 22 Chambers St.; Princeton Plasma shelf-stable brick packs; granola bars; public relations initiatives to raise the held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, on Physics Laboratory; 701 Carnegie and shelf-stable pudding cups. visibility of the office. Executing strat- the Palmer Square Green. The event Center; Lewis Library; two locations Additionally, campus and local egies to engage internal and external is free and open to the public, and at 171 Broadmead (University Now nonprofit groups are participating in audiences, including students, parents, attendees are encouraged to bring a Nursery School and Office of Infor- initiatives to collect donations includ- faculty, staff, alumni, employers and new, unwrapped toy to be donated to mation Technology); McCosh Health ing books, games, gift certificates, media.