Erin McCarthy, professor of history and cultural studies at Columbia College Chicago, has been awarded a 2006 Postsecondary Teaching Award from the Oral History Association. Dr. McCarthy will be honored at an awards banquet during the association's annual conference in Little Rock, Arkansas on October 28.
McCarthy has been teaching oral history at Columbia since the fall of 2000, training more than 250 arts and communications students in the fine art of the oral history interview. 'Dr. McCarthy is a real inspiration for me, says former student Victoria Malone, associate director of Columbia's Center for Arts Policy. 'She has a deep understanding of the link between storytelling in the field of oral history and in the arts ' that's what makes her approach so exciting. She encourages her students to think deeply about our cultural narrative ' why we tell the stories we tell ' and to synthesize history and the arts in creative ways that draw on their strengths. She's amazing.'
In her course, Oral History: The Art of The Interview, McCarthy introduces students to the theoretical and philosophical concerns in the practice of oral history, as well as various methods and uses of the technique. They read sample oral histories drawn from major events in U.S. History, from the Great Depression through the Vietnam War.
In addition to the theory, there is a major practicum component to the course in which students actually interview subjects using the standards and skills they have learned.
'It is important that the students understand that oral history is not simply recording the memories and stories of individuals,' explains McCarthy. 'There is a rigorous methodology to gathering oral histories and the interaction between the interviewer and the narrator is an intimate collaboration, each having their own specific role. The best way for the students to develop the necessary interviewing skills is through conducting fieldwork.'
So, in the spring of 2004 McCarthy established a partnership with the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center in Chicago. Each term, students in the course conduct interviews with members of the Greek American community. For the past two years, this work has grown into an archive of community history and memory at the Hellenic Museum and it is that organization that nominated McCarthy for the award.
Dr. McCarthy's energy and unique teaching abilities have motivated her students to go above and beyond what is normally expected in a college-level oral history course,' says Elaine Thomopoulos, co-chair of the museum's oral history committee. 'She has developed a unique model of teaching oral history that should be emulated by other colleges and universities. We are indeed fortunate to have benefited from her talents, energy, and creativity and look forward to our continuing relationship.'
In the award letter, Rebecca Sharpless, president of the Oral History Association, notes McCarthy's 'exemplary work,' particularly noting the use of 'multimedia technologies to inspire'students to greater creativity and to make these [oral histories]'available to a wider audience.
'The committee was impressed by your thorough and thoughtful scholarship,' Sharpless continued. '[And] by your effective efforts to engage Columbia College Chicago students in historical inquiry and by your willingness to share your experience and insights with colleagues'.The lasting contributions you and your students have made to the archives of the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center in Chicago further attest to the merit your work deserves.'
McCarthy received her Ph.D. in U.S. History from Loyola University Chicago. In addition to her dedication to oral history, she is an acknowledged expert in the field of sports history. McCarthy was a featured lecturer at the Field Museum for the Baseball as America exhibit (2003) and presented several lectures on Sport and Sexuality during that academic year.
Columbia Partners with Nano TV to Produce Hollywood's First Wireless Film Festival --
People who have always wanted to be a part of entertainment history now have their chance. Bridging leading-edge technology, creativity, and education, the Third Screen Film Festival (TSFF) showcases films produced for the 'third screen,' which includes mobile phones as well as WiFi and broadband-enabled hand-held devices. It is open to student filmmakers, amateurs, and professionals.
There are big cash prizes and lots of visibility with a grand cash prize is $10,000. There are also cash prizes in the Viewer Prize category ' selected by the general viewing public and the Jury Prize category ' selected by a panel of industry experts.
The public can view the live action and animation short films at www.ThirdScreenFilmFestival.com and vote for their favorites out of hundreds of entries from emerging and established filmmakers.
Presented by Columbia College Chicago and sponsored by Nano, America's first short film channel, TSFF films are accessible online and wirelessly on MobiTV. Each film can be shared virally via email or blogs. Viewers who watch festival entries on their Nano-equipped cell phones, portable devices, or online can vote via text messaging, powered by Mozes.com.
'It's exciting to see the films that have been submitted so far and the creative energy this festival infuses into third screen entertainment,' said Jon Katzman, director of Columbia College Chicago's Semester in L.A. program and TSFF. 'We encourage the public to help decide which filmmaker is worthy of winning our $10,000 grand prize by viewing films and casting their vote.'
In addition to cash prizes and professional equipment including Avid Liquid editing equipment, winning entries will receive third screen distribution: Student winner's work will air on mtvU, MTV's 24-hour college network. Winners who are professional or amateur filmmakers will also have their films shown on Nano on Demand.
There are three rounds of semi finals and a final phase of judging which begins in October, with awards announced at an October 26 event on the CBS Radford studio lot, home to Columbia College Chicago's Semester in L.A. program. Entry deadline is September 30 and voting continues through the final phase when expert judges add their voice to that of the public. Filmmakers and fans should visit www.ThirdScreenFilmFestival.com to participate in this historic media event.
Diane Wawrejko to Teach & Conduct Ethnographic Research
Diane Wawrejko, part-time instructor in Columbia's dance department and new millennium studies, has been awarded a Fulbright Scholar grant to lecture at the National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts in Sofia, Bulgaria. She will teach dance composition and interactive improvisation to dance and physical theatre students.
Wawrejko also will conduct ethnographic research into traditional dances during the 2006-07 Fall Semester.
Wawrejko has a background as a performing artist, choreographer, and scholar. Trained in classical ballet and modern dance, she performed with several companies. She holds a bachelor's degree in ballet from Mercyhurst College, an MFA in modern dance performance and choreography from Arizona State University, and has completed her Ph.D. dissertation in dance studies at the University of Surrey, UK. Wawrejko was recently nominated to the President's Committee on the Arts.
Columbia College Tackles Hard Social Questions Via Critical Encounters Initiative
Arts College Plans Engagement with Issue of HIV & AIDS
in Classroom Experience and Public Programs
Chicago, IL - When students return to classes at Columbia College Chicago this September, they will begin a journey during which they will learn the real meaning of civic engagement. 'Most people view civic engagement as simply voting or volunteering,' says Dr. Amy Hawkins, Columbia English professor and the Critical Encounters Faculty Fellow. 'It is and can be so much more than that and the Critical Encounters initiative will give students the opportunity to understand social problems at a very deep level and provide them with some of the skills they need to take action and work towards constructive social change to help relieve those problems.'
An initiative of the Office of the Provost, the first cycle of Critical Encounters will grapple with the global issue of HIV & AIDS. During the first year, through both classroom initiatives and public programs, Columbia will examine the problem of HIV & AIDS, looking at the history and current status of the disease. Year two layers on the 'complicating factors' of Poverty and Privilege. During the third year the exploration focuses on possible redemptive approaches to large social issues such as HIV & AIDS.
'The Critical Encounters Task Force, under Amy's leadership, and the active support of the Center for Teaching Excellence, has worked tirelessly on this effort and I am deeply grateful for their commitment,' says Provost Steven Kapelke. 'Critical Encounters will serve our students very well, as they gain knowledge, increase their understanding of extremely complex issues and develop into engaged global citizens.'
Columbia chose to examine HIV & AIDS during the first Critical Encounters cycle for two specific reasons: There is a historical connection between HIV & AIDS and the arts community -- and faculty at this arts and communications college are invested in and committed to education and activism around the issue. Infection rates are rising at an alarming rate among 18-35 year old, predominately heterosexual, individuals. Education that speaks to the sensibilities of this age group is urgently needed.
Any social issue can be engaged with in this systematic way, Kapelke notes, adding that this broad-based institutional approach to a particular problem or theme is uncommon, if not unique in higher education. 'The entire college is on board to participate, from hands-on learning in the classroom and student organizational activities to public performances at our Dance Center and collaborations on art exhibitions with community partners, we are committed to making this a significant growth experience for our students, faculty and staff -- and for the community at large,' he says.
Faculty, departments and student organizations will be able to apply for $500 project grants to help support curricula or programs addressing the HIV & AIDS theme. Columbia, through the Center for Teaching Excellence, is partnering with Test Positive Awareness and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago to present public programming, including several art exhibitions.
Public Events this fall will include:
September 5 - October 13
Body Maps
Self-Portraits of South African Women Living With HIV or AIDS
Presented by Columbia's Institute for the Study of Women & Gender
in the Arts & Media
September 14-16
Bareback into the Sunset
A dance work by Peter Carpenter
Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago. Visit www.dancecenter.org
November 16 - January 5
Dress Up Against Aids
Dresses Constructed of Condoms by Brazilian artist Adriana Bertini
November 30 - January 10
Picturing Hope
Photos by International Children Affected by HIV & AIDS. Presented in partnership with AIDS Foundation of Chicago.
Critical Encounters website under construction.