Lauren RubensteinAn originalist approach to interpreting the Constitution may not be perfect, but it’s “the only game in town,” was the message from U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia when he delivered the annual Hugo L. Black Lecture on Freedom of Expression at Wesleyan on March 8. “Do you think that judges—that is to say, lawyers—are better at the science of what ought to be than the science of history? I don’t think so,” Scalia told a packed crowd in Memorial Chapel. “The reality is that originalism is the only game in town; the only real verifiable criteria that can…
Olivia DrakeSonia Sultan, chair and professor of biology, professor of environmental studies, has been elected to the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering. Sultan, an evolutionary biologist, joins 39 other Connecticut experts in science, engineering and technology to membership in the Academy this year. Four other Wesleyan faculty are already members of the Academy. Election to the Academy, according to the CASE web site, is based on scientific and engineering distinction achieved through significant contributions in theory or applications, as demonstrated by original published books and papers, patents, the pioneering of new and developing fields and innovative products, outstanding leadership of nationally recognized…
As a 2012-13 Harry Frank Guggenheim Fellow, Magda Teter, the Jeremy Zwelling Professor of Jewish Studies, will narrate the cultural, social and political connections between Italy—center of papal power, and Poland—home to the largest Jewish community in the world, in her new book, The Pope’s Dilemma: Blood Libel and the Boundaries of Papal Power. Teter, who also is chair and professor of medieval studies, professor of history, and professor of feminist, gender and sexuality studies, will take a full year leave on sabbatical to work on the book. Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation sponsors scholarly research on problems of violence, aggression and dominance. The award…
In this issue of The Wesleyan Connection, we ask 5 Questions of Laura Stark, assistant professor of sociology, assistant professor of science in society, assistant professor of environmental studies. Stark recently published a new book, Behind Closed Doors: IRBs and the Making of Ethical Research. Q: Professor Stark, what inspired you to study institutional review boards (IRBs), which regulate research on human subjects? A: I first became interested in this project in 2002 because of a great coincidence of scholarship. At the time, I was reading historical works that explained why the Nuremberg Code after World War II had so…
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Students didn't need to leave campus to get a warm weather fix during spring break. With temperatures skyrocketing to 75 degrees, many of the students who stayed in Middletown enjoyed the mid-semester recess on Foss Hill and College Row: (more…)
The next FEAS lecture is on "Murakami Ryz and the Madonna Horror Complex," at 4:30 p.m. March 29. View all upcoming FEAS lectures online here.
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Benjamin TraversTulaTelfair, professor of art, describes her passion for art and the capacity of Imaginary Landscapes to stir her viewers' memories. [youtube width="640" height="420"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8JRxNxvg6o[/youtube]
Ellen Nerenberg, the Hollis Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures and department chair, discusses her passion for Italian studies and her new book, Murder Made In Italy: Homicide, Media, and Contemporary Italian Culture in this video: [youtube width="640" height="420"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6k7wW2JXajU[/youtube]
Brian KattenQ&As with outstanding students is an occasional feature of The Wesleyan Connection. This issue we speak with tennis star Jeff Legunn from the Class of 2013. Q: You have been playing No. 1 singles for Wesleyan since your arrival and you currently have a career record of 33-11. How do you see your role on the team as a top player and team captain? A: I believe myself, and the other upperclassmen, all maintain leadership roles. As the top player, I think I have the ability to set the bar high and hold the other players accountable. We have a talented…