English class filmed for NBC's Dateline Trista Merrill, a graduate student in English, found herself in the spotlight thanks to the popularity of the Harry Potter book series and upcoming film. Merrill is teaching a course on fantasy characters and magic in fiction. Her class was filmed for a segment of NBC's Dateline program on the Potter phenomenon. The material was scheduled to be part of a Nov. 11 broadcast reported by Katie Couric. Merrill began teaching a course on Harry Potter books this summer and has expanded it to take a broader look at fantastic and magical themes in literature.

Anthropology professor publishes book on religious fundamentalism

Richard Antoun , professor of anthropology, has published Understanding Fundamentalism: Christian, Islamic, and Jewish Movements (AltaMira Press, 2001). "Fundamentalism conjures up in the popular imagination images of violence, intolerance, literal readings of ancient scriptures, anachronistic ideas of gender and sexual ethics," reads the publisher's description. "Understanding Fundamentalism seeks to provide fuller, more accurate pictures of these religious reactions against the modern secular world. Comparing Christian, Islamic, and Jewish fundamentalist movements, anthropologist Richard Antoun shows how all three share common characteristics. In each tradition, fundamentalists seek purity in an impure world, attempt to make the ancient past relevant to their contemporary situation, look to move religion out of the worship center and into every aspect of life, and actively struggle against the aspects of the modern world they regard as evil."

Global studies professor publishes essay on terrorism

Ali Mazrui, Schweitzer Chair in the Humanities and director of the Institute for Global Cultural Studies, published an essay, "U.S. Should Address Causes of Terrorism," in the Oct. 7 edition of The Nation.

TOP