College Highlights_November 2007

Office of the Dean

Nova Southeastern University
Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences
3301 College Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314
Phone: 954-262-8408
Fax: 954-262-3930
www.undergrad.nova.edu

Highlight Reports for the NSU Board of Trustees

The Office of the Dean provides periodic reviews of college activities and initiatives. These Board Highlights are distributed to the Nova Southeastern University Board of Trustees, the College of Arts and Sciences Board of Advisers, and others in the community.

March 2008

The Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences has focused additional faculty time and energy on review and assessment of curriculum quality this past year. As a result, college faculty have established more than 20 curriculum committees with membership from key stakeholders in the community, as well as full time and part time faculty, alumni, and employers. The result has been a deliberate review of program learning outcomes and revisions in course requirements.

Along with this review, and core duties in teaching and scholarship, college faculty continue to offer campus and community access to critical programs, speakers, lectures, film series, and panels related to specific areas of expertise and larger issues of interest and concern in society. The following report highlights college developments and programs.

Distinguished Speaker Series
Each year, the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences hosts at least five distinguished speakers, all selected to support an annual college theme. This year’s theme is “Truth and Power.”
Admission to lectures is always free.

The Division of Math, Science, and Technology welcomed Eric Kandel, M.D., recipient of the 2000 Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology and professor at Columbia University, to NSU on February 21. As a guest in the college’s Distinguished Speaker Series, Kandel spoke on “The Molecular Biology of Memory Storage and the Biological Basis of Individuality.” In his lecture, Kandel drew from his groundbreaking studies on the basic molecular mechanisms underlying learning and memory. His research has been central to understanding normal memory as well as dementia and other mental illnesses that affect memory. A book signing followed the lecture.

In conjunction with Kandel’s visit to NSU, the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences presented a symposium, The Plastic Brain, on February 20, featuring guest speakers who are currently conducting exciting and important research associated with Kandel’s theories and findings. In addition, the Division of Humanities hosted a discussion on February 19 on “Memory and Memoir: The Autobiographical Process,” which explored the process of lifewriting in relation to Kandel’s groundbreaking book, In Search of Memory: The Emergence of Science of Mind.

The next guest of the Distinguished Speakers Series will be Kerry Kennedy, a leading advocate for human rights around the world. Kennedy’s will present on “Speak Truth to Power,” on April 17 in the Miniaci Performing Arts Center. She has been an international protector of human rights for those in need of justice. Kennedy has led dozens of human rights delegations to countries around the world and published Speak Truth to Power: Human Rights Defenders Who Are Changing Our World, which features interviews with famous human rights activists. This book generated a theatrical presentation, a PBS television program, and educational and
advocacy tools distributed to tens of thousands of high schools and colleges.

College News
On January 23, the college hosted “College Basketball Night,” supporting the NSU Sharks in their home basketball games against Florida Tech. During the game, the college offered souvenirs to fans in attendance and refreshments to guests of the college.
On January 24, the Clinic Exploration Program (CEP) held its traditional, beginning-of-semester jacketing ceremony. Honored were 37 students in the program who received the blue jackets they wear while observing health professionals on the job. Don Rosenblum, Ph.D., dean of the college, introduced NSU President Ray Ferrero, Jr., J.D., and Robert S. Oller, D.O., CEO of the
university’s clinics. Also in attendance were representatives from various NSU clinics and several college faculty members. The CEP offers students the opportunity to shadow medical professionals on the job in many of NSU’s clinics. Participants gain a broad perspective that shows how various medical fields work together, offering a practical, up-close review of several medical career options.

The college presented a Stolzenberg-Doan International Lecture Series speaker on January 31. Titled, “Truth, Power, the Media, and the Balkans,” this event featured Stacia Deshisku, Director of Coverage for CNN. Deshishku spoke about the role of the media in international crises, particularly obligations of the media in help to shape public opinion and policy. She also addressed reporters’ responsibilities to corroborate official reports with sources in the field. The lecture in the Knight Auditorium in the DeSantis Building was followed by a reception in the Spears Atrium. The following day, Deshisku had lunch with 18 students and several faculty
members to continue the discussion.

For Black History Month, the college presented the following events:

• ....On Feb. 4, Michael Nojeim, Ph.D., associate professor of political science at Prairie View A&M University and author of Gandhi and King: The Power of Nonviolent Resistance (2004), gave a guest lecture on “Gandhi, King, and the Philosophy of Non-Violent Resistance” in the Knight Auditorium of the DeSantis Building. Nojeim spoke about the origins and tradition of non-violent resistance in social change movements.

• ....On Feb. 24, Step Afrika, the first professional company in the world dedicated to the tradition of stepping, held a master dance class in the University Center. The workshop was open to all NSU students, staff, and faculty. That evening, the troupe performed in the Miniaci Performing Arts Center. Step Afrika’s visit to NSU was co-sponsored by the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Allied Health and Nursing, the 11 Division of Multicultural Affairs, the Pan African Student Union, and student dance organization Chicks on Point.

The athletic training program sponsored seminars in the A1A Marathon Health and Fitness Expo on February 16-17 at the Broward County Convention Center. This seven-lecture series— focusing on proper nutrition, race preparation, running tips and techniques, and overall healthy living—was designed by Elizabeth Swann, Ph.D., program director of athletic training in the Division of Math, Science, and Technology. Athletic training student volunteers also distributed race packets at the Expo, facilitated race check-ins, and managed stations providing runners with water and hearty encouragement during the race on February 18.

The Division of Humanities sponsored a workshop on “Preparing for a Career in Communications” on February 20 in the Carl DeSantis Building. Led by Ron Castell, a former communications executive, the workshop focused on job opportunities in communications, as well as what courses and extracurricular activities can help students attain these positions.
Workshop participants learned ways to market themselves for employment, effective resume writing, and job interview skills.

The college hosted an open discussion featuring Iraq War veterans on February 21, in the Knight Auditorium of the DeSantis Building. Assistant professors Allison Brimmer, Ph.D., and Jason Piccone, Ph.D., helped to facilitate a discussion between members of the panel and the audience.

This event was held in conjunction with campus groups Social Action Social Awareness and Step It Up, which provided refreshments. The panel discussion was part of a series, “Truth and Power: The War in Iraq,” which is offering thought-provoking films and panel discussions throughout the academic year within the context of the college’s annual theme of “Truth and
Power.”

Faculty Lecture Series
This lecture series presents to the campus community the college faculty’s diverse areas of
interest in the humanities, biology, physical science, and social and behavioral sciences.
The 2008 Winter Semester schedule includes:

Michael D. Reiter, Ph.D., assistant director of the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences, spoke on the topic, “Are Inappropriate Relationships Inappropriate?” on February 7. In the talk, Reiter considered societal rules about what are, and are not, appropriate relationships. Examining how such rules are created and what power they have on people’s behaviors, he demonstrated that
there are often varying degrees of inappropriateness.

• ....On February 19, Edward O. Keith, Ph.D., associate professor in the Division of Math, Science, and Technology, spoke on" Stacking the Deck: Japan, the International Whaling Commission, and the Resumption of Commercial Whale Harvests." The talk focused on the International Whaling Commission's moratorium on commercial whaling and the noncompliance of some nations, including Japan, Norway, and Iceland. Keith explored the politics behind this disagreement, the legitimacy of the claims of indigenous and/or historical whaling, the quality and utility of the information collected by "scientific whaling" and the potential impact of the resumption of whaling on whale populations.

• ....Jason E. Piccone, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology, presented “Who’s the Man? Truth and Power in America,” on March 13. This talk explored how a small minority of people control the political, cultural, and economic power in the United States and how this power has served to maintain an exploitative relationship over the larger population. Piccone then discussed how power can be distributed more widely through the acquisition of knowledge, civic activism, and, ultimately, through a shift in our cultural paradigm.

Faculty Achievements:

On January 7, the local NBC television affiliate, WTVJ, interviewed Robin Sherman, Ph.D., associate professor and assistant director of the Division of Math, Science, and Technology, on the issue of whether the theory of evolution should be taught in Florida public schools. Sherman advocated that understanding how the theory of evolution works is important for understanding how biological science works. She suggested that such knowledge is important for maintaining adequate standards of quality in Florida’s public school science education.

On January 13, at the Jewish Museum of Florida in Miami Beach, Gary Gershman, J.D., Ph.D., associate professor in the Division of Humanities, moderated a panel discussion on President Abraham Lincoln’s relationship with Jews in the United States. Experts from around the country discussed how Lincoln fought anti-Semitism in the military and included rabbis among the chaplains. The event was sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, established by Congress to generate educational, public, and legacy events to mark the 16th president’s 200th birthday in 2009. Its members, appointed by the president and congressional
leaders, include political leaders, jurists, historians, and collectors. The museum also showed a video of the panel discussion on February 12, Lincoln’s birthday.

On Wednesday, February 5, the ABC affiliate, WPLG Channel 10, sought expert political analysis from two faculty members, Charles Zelden, Ph.D., professor, and Gary Gershman, J.D., Ph.D., associate professor, both from the Division of Humanities. On Local 10 News at 6, both professors offered political commentary on the results of Super Tuesday, when 24 states held presidential nominating contests. They also discussed their views on what is to come next for the Republican and Democratic parties.
Charles L. Zelden, Ph.D., professor in the Division of Humanities, gave the annual Justice Stanley F. Reed Lecture at Kentucky Wesleyan College on February 26. His talk was titled, “Defeating the All White Primary: The Story Behind Justice Stanley F. Reed’s Majority Opinion in Smith v Allwright (1944).” The lecture examined the Supreme Court’s overturning of the all white Democratic Party primary in Texas for being unconstitutional, and examined the effect this ruling had on the evolving civil rights movement.

Fuzhen Zhang, Ph.D., professor in the Division of Math, Science, and Technology, has been chosen as editor for a special issue of the journal Linear Algebra and Applications. This issue will honor exceptional mathematician Shmuel Friedland, D.Sc., from the University of Illinois- Chicago. Zhang also received an honorary professorship from Shanghai University, China, as Jianzhi Professor. This recognition is awarded to internationally-renowned scholars. Shanghai University is one of the largest universities in China.

Andrea Shaw, Ph.D., assistant professor and assistant director of the Division of Humanities, has published an essay in the newly released book, Music, Memory and Resistance: Calypso and the Caribbean Literary Imagination (2007). Her essay, titled “Big Fat Fish: The Hypersexualization of the Fat Female Body in Calypso and Dancehall,” is part of a rich collection that brings together critical perspectives from a wide variety of Caribbean artists to discuss Caribbean culture and its connections with political traditions in the African Diaspora.

The Performing and Visual Arts Program

Muscle to Bone: Moving the Power Within, a full-length dance concert, was presented by the Performing and Visual Arts Program of the Division of Humanities on February 1-2 in the Miniaci Performing Arts Center. The six dance pieces, choreographed by guest artists and college faculty, featured performances by NSU students.

To support talented theatre and music students, the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences offers a new talent-based Performing and Visual Arts Grant. Students pursuing a theatre major at NSU, and musicians participating in the Orchestra or Pep Band, may apply. This grant, awarded on a yearly basis, is available to current undergraduate students, incoming freshmen, and transfer
students.

The Promethean Theatre (TPT), NSU’s theatre in residence, performed Two Sisters and a Piano, by Pulitzer Prize winner Nilo Cruz. Production was held in the Mailman-Hollywood Theatre on the second floor of the Mailman-Hollywood Building. Author, Nilo Cruz, is a Cuban-American playwright, the first Latino to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The Promethean Theatre hosted
Cruz in two talk-back discussions following special performances on March 1- 2. The talk-back discussions offered the audience a unique opportunity to talk about the play with South Florida’s own Pulitzer Prize winner. TPT has also received a nomination in the 32nd Annual Carbonell Awards for the world premiere of Juan C. Sanchez’s play Red Tide in October at the Mailman-
Hollywood Theatre. The play has been nominated in the category of Best New Work.