USC Dornsife News

Amazing Adventures in Undergrad Research

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:35:00 -0500

USC Dornsife students win top prizes at the 15th Annual Undergraduate Symposium for Scholarly and Creative Work. In humanities, Vellore Adithi placed first for research.

Postdoc Program Progresses

Wed, 6 Feb 2013 16:00:00 -0500

USC Dornsife provost postdocs are being mentored to think creatively in their research while developing their teaching portfolio and interacting with undergraduates and graduates.

Understanding the Universal

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 08:30:00 -0500

The USC Shoah Foundation — The Institute for Visual History and Education offers a perspective on genocides that have occurred throughout the world. Preserving these memories helps ensure that for generations to come these stories will be a compelling voice for education and action.

Shadows & Symbols

Wed, 9 Jan 2013 09:45:00 -0500

For Macarena Gómez-Barris, associate professor of sociology and American studies and ethnicity, memories weave a complex chronicle of culture and power in South America.

Rings of Power Struggle

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 10:15:00 -0500

The International Relations of Middle-earth: Learning From The Lord of the Rings (University of Michigan, 2012), which has already been picked up for use in course-work at the University of Glasgow and Heidelberg College. Portrait by Philip Channing." title="Patrick James, the Dean’s Professor of International Relations in USC Dornsife, has co-authored a new textbook, The International Relations of Middle-earth: Learning From The Lord of the Rings (University of Michigan, 2012), which has already been picked up for use in course-work at the University of Glasgow and Heidelberg College. Portrait by Philip Channing." /> USC Dornsife’s Patrick James bases his new book, The International Relations of Middle-earth, on a course he teaches illustrating the power shifts among nations using J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings as inspiration.

L.A. Has a Heart

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 15:25:00 -0500

Many dismiss the structure of Los Angeles as urban sprawl. But Samuel Krueger, a graduate of the GIST master’s program in USC Dornsife, disproves this notion by showing L.A.’s distinctive heart. His research has earned him awards from two renowned academic organizations.

Postcards From Memory Lane

Fri, 9 Nov 2012 09:25:00 -0500

Five USC Dornsife authors from various disciplines ponder the connection between creativity and memory.

High Priorities

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 13:00:00 -0500

Between climbing Mount Everest and hurtling from airplanes, record-breaking adventurer Johnny Strange is pursuing a degree in international relations in USC Dornsife. Stopping genocide and curing Parkinson’s disease are his passions.

Chicken Necks and Chili Queens

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 10:50:00 -0500

L.A. Weekly who audited Portnoy's class, enjoy shrimp tacos and aguachile at the Mariscos Jalisco lonchera. Photo by Susan Bell." title="Sarah Portnoy (right), lecturer in Spanish and Portuguese in USC Dornsife, and Daina Solomon, food blogger at the L.A. Weekly who audited Portnoy's class, enjoy shrimp tacos and aguachile at the Mariscos Jalisco lonchera. Photo by Susan Bell." /> In a course taught by Sarah Portnoy, USC Dornsife students learn Spanish via the lens of L.A.’s food truck revolution – including a gastronomic tour through the Boyle Heights neighborhood of East Los Angeles.

An Influential Woman

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 09:45:00 -0500

A Discovery of Witches and Shadow of Night, are New York Times bestsellers. Photo by Vania Stoyanova." title="Deborah Harkness, professor of history in USC Dornsife, has been named a "Woman of Influence" by Mount Holyoke College. Her recent novels, A Discovery of Witches and Shadow of Night, are New York Times bestsellers. Photo by Vania Stoyanova." /> USC Dornsife’s Deborah Harkness is recognized as a “Woman of Influence” by her undergraduate alma mater, Mount Holyoke College, for using her education to inspire and lead.

Steppes Ahead

Mon, 1 Oct 2012 12:45:00 -0500

In a Problems Without Passports course, USC Dornsife history majors travel to Kazakhstan to research the building of national identity.

Cinematic Science

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 12:30:00 -0500

Organized by USC Dornsife’s Clifford Johnson, the 2nd annual Science Film Competition is underway. This is a great opportunity for students — and professors.

Saddle Your Dreams

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 13:35:00 -0500

Businessman, racehorse owner and philosopher J. Paul Reddam (Ph.D. ’82) gets lucky when his colt wins the 2012 Kentucky Derby and the 2012 Preakness Stakes.

Fighting for Inclusion

Thu, 6 Sep 2012 14:20:00 -0500

USC Dornsife’s Nayan Shah has recently won the 2012 Norris and Carol Hundley Prize for his second book, Stranger Intimacy.

In Memoriam: Denis Mitchell

Wed, 5 Sep 2012 15:25:00 -0500

The retired psychology professor taught in USC Dornsife for 30 years. In addition to his research, he was widely known for his dedication to the individual development of his students.

Exceeding Expectations

Tue, 4 Sep 2012 09:15:00 -0500

USC Dornsife undergraduate Reid Lidow’s independent research trip to Burma leads to interviews with top political leaders and a published opinion piece in the Asia Sentinel and The Irrawaddy.

North Pole Politics

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 10:30:00 -0500

USC Dornsife students get an insider’s view of the environmental, political and international challenges of governing the Arctic.

Messner Receives 2012 Jessie Bernard Award

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:50:00 -0500

The first man given this award since it was established in 1976, USC Dornsife’s Michael Messner was honored for his pioneering work in the sociology of gender.

Mancall, McKenna and Wood Named USC Dornsife Academic Domain Vice Deans

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 10:40:00 -0500

Incoming dean Steve Kay announces key appointments and changes to the dean’s cabinet including three academic domain vice deans and USC Dornsife’s first vice dean for institutional affairs, Dani Byrd.

Saving an Endangered Language

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 08:40:00 -0500

Through USC Dornsife’s Problems Without Passports, students travel to the mountains of Taiwan to document and preserve the fast-fading language and culture of the Atayal tribe of Taiwanese aborigines.

Feminism Goes Gaga

Thu, 9 Aug 2012 17:00:00 -0500

Gaga Feminism: Sex, Gender and the End of Normal, due out this September from Beacon Press. Photo of Halberstam by Assaf Evron." title="USC Dornsife's Jack Halberstam explores society's evolving gender roles in his book, Gaga Feminism: Sex, Gender and the End of Normal, due out this September from Beacon Press. Photo of Halberstam by Assaf Evron." /> Jack Halberstam, professor of American studies and ethnicity, and gender studies in USC Dornsife, has written a new book, Gaga Feminism: Sex, Gender and the End of Normal, to be published by Beacon Press in September.

The Future...Not What It Used to Be

Thu, 2 Aug 2012 09:00:00 -0500

USC Dornsife 2020's newest research clusters probe immigration issues, visual studies and changes in neural systems as one ages.

The 50-Year Itch

Wed, 1 Aug 2012 08:00:00 -0500

A new book Marilyn: The Passion and the Paradox by USC Dornsife’s Lois Banner marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic actress’ death.

A Look Behind the Visual History Archive

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 10:45:00 -0500

The public is now invited to free monthly tours of the USC Shoah Foundation Institute, where they can learn about the preservation and educational use of nearly 52,000 video testimonies of Holocaust survivors and other witnesses.

Finding One’s Self in L.A.

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 12:00:00 -0500

Elsewhere, California, a debut novel written by USC Dornsife’s Dana Johnson, examines assimilation, class and the complications of African American identity. Dana Johnson photo by Ben Pack." title="Elsewhere, California, a debut novel written by USC Dornsife’s Dana Johnson, examines assimilation, class and the complications of African American identity. Dana Johnson photo by Ben Pack." /> In her debut novel, Elsewhere, California, USC Dornsife’s Dana Johnson casts a light on the complications an African American female may face while finding her identity in Los Angeles.