USC Dornsife News

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 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.

Can Iran Achieve Its Nuclear Ambitions?

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 07:00:00 -0500

Achieving Nuclear Ambitions: Scientists, Politicians, and Proliferation (Cambridge University Press, 2012), Jacques Hymans, associate professor of international relations in USC Dornsife, suggests that repressive, authoritarian regimes often undermine their own nuclear programs with the same heavy-handed management they use to control their countries. Photo courtesy of Jacques Hymans." title="In his new book, Achieving Nuclear Ambitions: Scientists, Politicians, and Proliferation (Cambridge University Press, 2012), Jacques Hymans, associate professor of international relations in USC Dornsife, suggests that repressive, authoritarian regimes often undermine their own nuclear programs with the same heavy-handed management they use to control their countries. Photo courtesy of Jacques Hymans." /> In his new book, Achieving Nuclear Ambitions: Scientists, Politicians and Proliferation, USC Dornsife’s Jacques Hymans outlines why Iran may be its worst enemy.

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.

L.A., L.A., Do You Read?

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:12:00 -0500

As many as 150,000 people attended the 17th annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books held at USC. Among the events they enjoyed were several featuring USC Dornsife faculty and alumni.

Laurie Brand Selected as Bellagio Center Resident

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:47:00 -0500

During her four-week residency in Italy, USC Dornsife’s Brand will finish her book examining post-independence Arab state narratives.

The Business and Craft of Storytelling

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:11:00 -0500

The inaugural USC Writers Conference takes place Friday and features USC Dornsife faculty. The all-day event is the kick-off to the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at USC April 21 and 22.

USC Dornsife Alumna Wins Prize for Debut Novel

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:31:00 -0500

Lamb. At left, Nadzam, who graduated with a Ph.D. in creative writing from USC Dornsife in 2011, stands with The Center for Fiction’s Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize Award. Photo by Beowulf Sheehan." title="USC Dornsife alumna Bonnie Nadzam has been awarded The Center for Fiction’s Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize for her debut book, Lamb. At left, Nadzam, who graduated with a Ph.D. in creative writing from USC Dornsife in 2011, stands with The Center for Fiction’s Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize Award. Photo by Beowulf Sheehan." /> Bonnie Nadzam, who graduated from the Literature and Creative Writing Ph.D. program in 2011, has been awarded the Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize for her book, Lamb.

People Who Need People

Thu, 5 Apr 2012 13:33:00 -0500

USC Dornsife’s 2011–12 Streisand Professor Lecture Series, “Where Is The Love?” examines intimacy and sexuality in American society. One lecture looked at heartache and new media.

Kaya Press Moves from New York to USC Dornsife

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:22:00 -0500

The non-profit publisher of Asian and Pacific Islander diasporic literature, housed in USC Dornsife’s Department of American Studies and Ethnicity, brings innovative fiction, poetry and critical essays to the public.

Life on the Rez

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 13:34:00 -0500

Rez Life to give a detailed history of Indian reservations in the U.S. Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Center." title="Ojibwe indians in Minnesota use a birch bark canoe for transport circa 1910. USC Dornsife's David Treuer fuses historical facts, reportage and memoir in his new book Rez Life to give a detailed history of Indian reservations in the U.S. Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Center." /> Combining journalism, history and memoir, David Treuer of English writes about Native American reservations from conception to the modern day in his new book Rez Life: An Indian's Journey Through Reservation Life.

Behind Those Violet Eyes

Fri, 3 Feb 2012 10:43:00 -0500

Cleopatra was a critical flop, but starred Elizabeth Taylor as the most powerful woman in the ancient world. USC Dornsife's M. G. Lord discusses Cleopatra in her new book, The Accidental Feminist: How Elizabeth Taylor Raised Our Consciousness and We Were Too Distracted by Her Beauty to Notice out Feb. 7." title="Cleopatra was a critical flop, but starred Elizabeth Taylor as the most powerful woman in the ancient world. USC Dornsife's M. G. Lord discusses Cleopatra in her new book, The Accidental Feminist: How Elizabeth Taylor Raised Our Consciousness and We Were Too Distracted by Her Beauty to Notice out Feb. 7." /> Thinking of Elizabeth Taylor what comes to mind? Those eyes? Diamonds? The eight marriages? A new book by cultural critic M. G. Lord of USC Dornsife describes how the late actress’ feminist impact has been hidden in plain sight.

USC Professor Rethinks Suburban Life in New Book

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:38:00 -0500

Relocations: Queer Suburban Imaginaries." title="USC Dornsife's Karen Tongson is the author of the new book Relocations: Queer Suburban Imaginaries." /> USC professor Karen Tongson likes to point out that “queer life happens everywhere.” Even in the suburbs. In the course of researching her new book, Relocations: Queer Suburban Imaginaries (New York University Press),...

Rotary-Dial Politics in an iPhone World

Mon, 7 Nov 2011 09:12:00 -0500

Combining theory and pop culture, Ange-Marie Hancock creates a blueprint for political unity in her new book Solidarity Politics for Millennials: A Guide to Ending the Oppression Olympics.

California Poet Laureate Muske-Dukes at the National Mall

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:00:00 -0500

Carol Muske-Dukes, USC Dornsife professor of English and creative writing, will read from Twin Cities and Crossing State Lines: An American Renga during the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C.

An Unforgettable Year

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 09:58:00 -0500

The Tiger's Wife. Portrait photo by Beowulf Sheehan." title="Téa Obreht, who graduated from USC Dornsife in 2006 with degrees in creative writing and art history, is the youngest winner of the Orange Prize for fiction for her first novel The Tiger's Wife. Portrait photo by Beowulf Sheehan." /> USC Dornsife alumna Téa Obreht has won Britain’s Orange Prize for fiction for her debut novel The Tiger's Wife.

Three USC Dornsife Professors Named Finalists for 2011 SCIBA Book Awards

Fri, 5 Aug 2011 15:55:00 -0500

The Book Awards presented by the Southern California Independent Booksellers Association recognize "incredible literary talent" from the region.

On Writing and Redemption

Thu, 7 Jul 2011 10:00:00 -0500

House of Prayer No. 2: A Writer’s Journey Home. Born a “special child” with deformed hips in rural Virginia, Richard chronicles his struggle with faith and the life that made him a writer. Photo by Jeff Vespa." title="Mark Richard, a lecturer in the Master of Professional Writing program, has won a 2012 Pushcart Prize for his memoir and first book of nonfiction House of Prayer No. 2: A Writer’s Journey Home. Born a “special child” with deformed hips in rural Virginia, Richard chronicles his struggle with faith and the life that made him a writer. Photo by Jeff Vespa." /> Mark Richard’s new book and memoir House of Prayer No. 2: A Writer’s Journey Home is the winner of a 2012 Pushcart Prize for nonfiction.

A Soul Divided

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:40:00 -0500

Twin Cities, her eighth book of poetry, and other work during the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on Saturday, April 30. Muske-Dukes photo by Carlos Puma." title="Carol Muske-Dukes, professor of English and creative writing in USC Dornsife and California’s poet laureate, will read from Twin Cities, her eighth book of poetry, and other work during the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on Saturday, April 30. Muske-Dukes photo by Carlos Puma." /> Carol Muske-Dukes, professor of English and creative writing in USC Dornsife and California’s poet laureate, will participate in three events during the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books — all on Saturday, April 30. During one, she will read from her new book of poetry, Twin Cities, which will be available at the festival.

Faculty Notes

Sun, 24 Apr 2011 08:37:00 -0500

Aimee Bender, associate professor of English, won the 2010 SoCal Independent Booksellers Association Award in Fiction for her latest novel, The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake (Random House, 2010). Yehuda Ben-Zion, professor of...

Alumni Bookplate

Sun, 24 Apr 2011 08:37:00 -0500

Institute for Advanced StudyImages of America Series Arcadia / Linda Arntzenius (MPW, ’98) examines photo collections at the Institute for Advanced Study and those of Princeton residents to disclose the scholarly community...

U.S. 'Historically Antagonistic' to Progressive Change in Latin America, Ecuador Chief Says

Thu, 7 Apr 2011 09:00:00 -0500

Rethinking U.S.-Latin American Relations. Photo courtesy of President Correa's office." title="USC Dornsife's Abe Lowenthal recently interviewed Ecuador President Rafael Correa in Quito, part of Lowenthal's research for his forthcoming book with a working title, Rethinking U.S.-Latin American Relations. Photo courtesy of President Correa's office." /> Abe Lowenthal, professor of international relations in USC Dornsife, recently chatted with Ecuador President Rafael Correa, one of hundreds of interviews for his upcoming book.

Marilyn Monroe: A New Interpretation Through Words and Photos

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:06:00 -0500

Lois Banner explores the "Rosetta Stone of Marilyn Scholarship" in her book M M — Personal.

It's Not All About You

Tue, 1 Mar 2011 12:34:00 -0500

In her new book, USC College’s Karen Sternheimer probes a century’s worth of celebrity fan magazines to trace the changing definition of the American Dream.

Speaking for the Unrepresented

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 09:58:00 -0500

Piano Glass/Glass Piano. Portrait photo credit Jie Gu." title="Marjorie Becker, associate professor of history in USC College, creates the stories of individuals often overlooked by the general population in her new book, Piano Glass/Glass Piano. Portrait photo credit Jie Gu." /> In her new book Piano Glass/Glass Piano, USC College’s Marjorie Becker scripts the stories of the voiceless.