A Magazine of Bryant University’s College of Arts & Sciences
A WELCOME FROM THE DEAN Wendy Samter, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences
Issue 1, Spring 2015
It is my pleasure to be a part of the inaugural issue of the magazine of Bryant University’s College of Arts and Sciences. In the daily routine of what we do, it’s easy (even for folks in CAS) to miss the breadth, scope, and variety of activities in which our faculty and students engage. This publication is thus designed to highlight the important work that is accomplished within our College and to celebrate its people and practices. It is my hope that the
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Around the Departments….2-4
magazine will not only strengthen the sense of identity and community we share among our-
Research Methods &
selves, but also help us continue to forge strong and innovative partnerships with our col-
Student Engagement ......... ….5
leagues in the College of Business and the School of Health Sciences. I want to thank Professor Rich Holtzman and his student editor, Jenna Husted ‘15, for their diligence in developing the vision for the magazine and in producing its first installment. I also want to encourage
Student & Alumni Profiles ….6 Graduate School Programs ….7
everyone to share with Rich and his team the many student and faculty achievements that we know abound within each department. The strength of the magazine—and the College—rests with you.
Student Research .............. ….8 Faculty & Student Research
THE MAGAZINE’S VISION Rich Holtzman, History and Social Sciences & Jenna Husted ‘15, Senior Politics and Law Major The Mission Statement of the College of Arts & Sciences speaks to the commitment of faculty and students to advance the study and practice of the humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and the natural and applied sciences. According to this Mission: “We fulfill our
Profiles ............................... ….9 Creative & Applied Arts ..... ...10 Summer Program .............. …11 Improv Group & Graduates by the Numbers ................. ...12
commitment through teaching, scholarship, creative work, and outreach. In faculty and student research, we generate new knowledge. In our teaching, publications, presentations to peers, and engagements with private and public organizations, we disseminate and share our knowledge.” The vision of this publication is to address this Mission in four ways: (1) Emphasize the importance of the Arts and Sciences at Bryant; (2) Nurture a sense of place and community
Check out the online version at: http://issuu.com/ bryantartsandsciencesmagazine/docs/ a_s_magazine__issue_1__spring_2015 Stay connected to the College of Arts & Sciences on Facebook and Twitter:
for our students; (3) Keep faculty and students informed about each other’s efforts and successes; and (4) Celebrate the personal, intellectual, and creative diversity of the College. This magazine is a forum that is open and welcoming to all voices. Whether you are a student, faculty member, staff member, or administrator—regardless of college, department, or office—we hope you will participate. Welcome.
Masthead artwork: “The Seven Liberal Arts,” by Giovanni di Ser Giovanni Guidi, circa 1460.
~Around the Departments~ ARTS & SCIENCES ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS
APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY The Department of Applied Psychology is providing students with
APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY
diverse opportunities to learn about the theory and application of psycholo-
Nanci Weinberger, Chair
gy. Students conduct original research in at least six of our courses. The re-
COMMUNICATION
search is carried out in the Applied Psychology Research Center, in
Stanley Baran, Chair
classrooms, the dining hall, off campus and online. Students also conduct
ECONOMICS
research directly with the faculty and these collaborations frequently result
Sam Mirmirani, Chair
in conference presentations and some journal publications as well.
ENGLISH AND CULTURAL STUDIES
Students also have opportunities to connect with professionals working
Elizabeth Walden, Chair
in psychology and related fields. This happens when guest speakers come to
HISTORY AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
class, or come to a Bryant Psychology Association Alumni Panel, or when students have assignments that require them to meet with profession-
Gregg Carter, Chair
als off campus. In the past ten years, applied psychology students have been
MATHEMATICS
placed in over 70 different placement sites. Students taking the Senior
Kristin Kennedy, Chair
Internship Seminar attend class meetings in which they share their expe-
MODERN LANGUAGES
riences with one another and make connections with their prior courses,
Tony Houston, Chair
work experiences and their internship placement. We think something is
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
working—we often hear back from our former students telling us how well-
Dan McNally, Chair
prepared they feel in their graduate programs and professions.
MATHEMATICS We currently have two majors: Actuarial Mathematics
Six Bryant Actuarial majors participated in the annual
and Applied Mathematics and Statistics. All students in
Travelers Insurance national competition. This is a won-
both majors have the opportunity to complete the SAS Certifi-
derful opportunity for the students to get practical experience in
cation Award in Data Mining, which is jointly awarded by
the actuarial field, and connect with a large employer in the in-
the SAS Corporation and Bryant University. We are one of 21
dustry. The students work on case studies in September to gear
schools in the world that offer this prestigious award, and the
up for the competition. Then the team travels for an overnight to
only undergraduate program to do so.
Hartford, CT, for an all-day case study at the Travelers’ home
The Mathematics Department has two honor societies:
office, competing with teams in the Northeast. Simultaneously,
Kappa Mu Epsilon Honor Society in mathematics and Mu
there are teams competing from a major Travelers’ Midwest of-
Sigma Rho Honor Society in statistics. This year, six will be
fice. Many actuarial majors get internships and jobs as a direct
inducted into KME and 11 will be inducted into MSR. Further-
result of their involvement with this competition. In 2014, Bryant
more, we now have an interdisciplinary concentration in Busi-
informally placed second in the competition (only first place
ness Analytics, from which students can earn a certificate in
was formally recognized).
SAS Analytics. There are 16 students receiving that certification.
Four of our actuarial majors travelled with Jim Bishop to
Four of our students have passed three professional Society of
Hanover Insurance in Worcester, MA, for a Casualty Actuarial
Actuary exams: Andrew DiFronzo ’15 (P, FM, MFE), Jesse
Summit. This one day event explored the casualty actuarial field
Finkel ’15 (P, FM, MFE), Jihao Chen ’15 (P, FM, MFE), and
at Hanover's main office. It was an excellent event for the expo-
Stephen Lamontagne ‘16 (P, FM, C). Stephen is the first stu-
sure of Bryant and student connections for internships and jobs.
dent to pass C while still at Bryant (and he is a junior!). Last year
We are happy to boast that Jim Bishop is an Associate with
the department worked diligently to change our curriculum to be
the Society of Actuaries and Thomas Hartl is a Fellow in the
more in line with the Society of Actuaries’ wishes. It is our pleas-
Casualty Actuarial Association. Last but certainly not least, Alan
ure to see that the changes are paying off with more of our stu-
Olinsky has just been awarded the Professor of the Year
dents passing several exams before graduation. A healthy amount
Award by the SAS Corporation! This prestigious award is well
of our majors have passed two exams at this is time.
deserved, and we heartily congratulate him.
Spring 2015
2
ENGLISH & CULTURAL STUDIES The Department of ECS, with its multidisciplinary and world-based study of creative artifacts, provides a view to the future. In addition to the major in Literary and Cultural Studies, the Department of English and Cultural Studies offers concentrations in Creative and Applied Arts, Media and Cultural Studies, Literature, and has coursework which emphasizes cultural anthropology and philosophy.
Our curriculum includes an array of courses and experiences that engage students directly with the humanities, creativity, cultural and global diversity, and critical thought.
We help students discover their passion through a direct engagement with diverse media (performance, literary texts, art, music, cultural analysis), cultures (Africa, Latin America, Eastern and Western Europe, and U.S. communities, such as Native American, Asian-American, gay and lesbian, and women), and methodologies (studio and workshop-based activities and philosophical, literary critical, and anthropological thought).
We encourage independent thinking and empathy with diverse populations. This objective is completed throughout our entire curriculum, which directly engages students with the complicated and, often, thorny issues of difference—through courses in cultural studies, ethics, and social justice.
We provide students with avenues to make a difference in the world through our integrated focus on social justice and literacy, understood and experienced by engaging with the most intimate forms of communications that cultures offer (through art, music, literature, performance, philosophies). Our emphasis on literacy increases the franchise for students at Bryant, who very often have not been exposed to the cultural capital of art, music, and literature. It sets them on the path to promote a literate society—one that reads, writes, views, thinks, creates, and engages with the world using imaginative texts and thinking to help process the complexities of being a human among other humans, animals, plants, and planets.
We would like to invite you to come visit our classes to nurture your interests in creativity and to expand your cultural capital. Come see and experience what it is we do; it’s definitely not your father’s English major.
~Around the Departments~ The Department of History & Social Sciences is the
Our students gain a broad-based education that emphasizes
largest and most diverse department at Bryant University. Under
acquiring skills and facility in analysis, research, writing, and
the guidance and nurturing of 20 full-time and 12 part-time fac-
cross-cultural and social-diversity awareness and sensitivity—in
ulty members, HSS offers majors in Global Studies (a multidis-
addition to the content matter of their various programs. This
ciplinary, multidepartment program with tracks in Global Cul-
broad-based education opens many doors for our students, some
tural Interaction, Global Economics, and Global Politics),
of whom have chosen graduate and professional education after
History, Politics & Law, and Sociology (with tracks in Social
Bryant and others who pursue a diverse range of careers.
Research and Service Learning). For students wanting greater
The HSS Department has an outstanding faculty—including
intensity of study and competence who do not have room in their
award winners in teaching, service, and scholarship. Their re-
individual schedules for a major, we also offer 18-credit concen-
search and teaching interests span every contemporary “hot”
HISTORY & SOCIAL SCIENCES
social issue—from racial and gender relationships and inequality, to political participation and how governments handle their mi-
trations in Global Studies, History, Political Science, and
nority populations (from multicultural acceptance and the toler-
Sociology. And easing back on the intensity and breadth of
ance of pluralism, at one end of the continuum, to banishment
study, we have 12 credit minors in History, International Affairs,
and extermination at the other end), to the ethics of genetic test-
Legal Studies, Political Science, Sociology, and Sociology & Ser-
ing and the equitability of the delivery of healthcare, to the pres-
vice Learning. Finally HSS faculty and courses are also essential
sures of overpopulation on the environment and political stabil-
parts of Bryant’s interdisciplinary minors in Africana/Black
ity. Cross-cultural and historical approaches dominate our facul-
Studies, Latin American & Latina/Latino Studies, and Women,
ty’s scholarship. The topics listed here are just a small sample of
Gender, & Sexuality Studies; and of the interdisciplinary concen-
our faculty’s interests and in future issues of this newsletter we
trations in American Studies, Social Entrepreneurship, and
will highlight the accomplishments and interests of individual
Sport Studies.
faculty members. Please check us out further!
Spring 2015
3
MODERN LANGUAGES Chinese — Yun Xiao is serving as Program Chair for ACTFL/CLTA 2015, which hosts 600-700 attendees each year. She is also organizing the 4th Symposium on Chinese Language and Discourse to be held at Bryant on June 10-12, 2016. Organizers expect 120-150 attendees from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, U.K., Australia, Canada, and the U.S. Romance Languages — Heather Moon (Spanish) and Alexandra Place (French) were selected for Bryant’s Center for Program Innovation’s 2014-2015 $2,000 Faculty Innovation Grants. The spring 2015 issue of The Forum, an annually-published magazine of the Phi Sigma Iota national organization, features pieces written by two of our Bryant language students, Alexia Bayer ‘15 (page 11) in French and Tony Carabina ‘15 (page 18) in Spanish. http://phisigmaiota.org/FORUM2015.pdf French — Alexandra Place is in the final stages of establishing a proficiency certification testing center at Bryant in French for the professions, sponsored and accredited by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Paris. She was also invited to be the keynote Speaker at the Annual Citizenship ceremony in Bridgeport District Court on December 12, 2014. There were over 150 attendees from more than 20 countries. The ceremony was sponsored by the International Institute of Connecticut and the U.S. Department of immigration services. Italian — Jenna Keenan ‘15, an IB student concentrating in Finance and minoring in Italian, was selected to be a student ambassador at the USA Pavilion Milano 2015 EXPO. Spanish — Tony Houston took the affirmative position on the resolution “Human Well Being Would Be Significantly Enhanced If Religion Were Abandoned” in a debate at the Bryant Interfaith Center on February 5. Tony was also awarded a summer research grant to present a paper at the Northeast Modern Language Association Conference in Toronto on May 1, 2015.
~Around the Departments~ Faculty of the Science and Technology Department are dedicated to being student
ECONOMICS
-centered. Everything we do, we do it with our students in mind. For instance, the growing interest in our academic programs: Biology and Environmental Science has inspired us to develop career path tracks in our curriculum. For biology, we offer general biology,
The members of the Bryant
cellular and molecular biology, pre-health, ecology and conservation biology, and re-
Economic Student Associa-
search intensive tracks. We have recently been focusing on emergent health services. Also,
tion (BESA) are planning a
we now have a Forensics Concentration in place, along with minors in Biology, Envi-
trip to Great Barrington, MA, to
ronmental Science, and Biotechnology. We now offer courses required for admittance to
tour the American Institute
health related graduate programs. We also have the advantage of a developing partnership
for
Research.
with our own Physician’s Assistant (PA) program. The career path tracks for our en-
The mission of this research
vironmental science program are ecosystems and biodiversity, environmental analysis
institution is to enhance the
and assessment, sustainability and environmental management, and global climate
econom ic
change. Our academic programs feature meaningful undergraduate research, which we
Economic
and
f in anc i al
knowledge of Americans. Its ultimate goal is to apply rigor-
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
ous research in order to help
consider a high impact learning experience. Faculty conduct research in such diverse fields
individuals protect their finan-
as climate change, ecology, immunology, neuroscience, medicinal chemistry, microbiology,
cial well-being. This visit pro-
geochemistry, pollution prevention, and paleobotany. The laboratories and analytical in-
vides a unique opportunity for
strumentation to conduct undergraduate research are cutting-edge. Many students receive
students to see economics in action. This will also allow our students to make connections and broaden their professional networks.
stipends from faculty grants to conduct research during the school year and throughout the summer and present their work at regional, national, and international conferences. The department is also strengthening relationships with industry, government, and NGOs. For example, our students’ talents were on display at a recent networking event “Catalyzing Connections,” initiated by student Drew Phelan ‘16, for industries, governments and NGOs. Graduate schools were also present to recruit the many graduating seniors who are pursuing advanced degrees. All signs point to exciting and rewarding times in the Science and Technology Department.
Spring 2015
4
RESEARCH METHODS AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT IN A&S Alex Perullo, English and Cultural Studies The course Community Ethnography teaches students about qualitative research methods, such as interviewing, participant observation, surveys, frame analysis, coding, storytelling, and autoethnography. During the course, each student develops an individual research project that includes writing a research proposal, attaining IRB approval, and conducting several research methods with individuals off-campus. The course also requires students to make documentary films, develop skills in audio recording, and take ethnographic photographs. Students need to be both independent enough to work on their own and self-motivated to complete projects by the end of the semester. Many students benefit from the combined opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of research methods and conduct their own Lindsey Lerner ‘15 working on field recording techniques in Perullo’s Community Ethnography course.
research projects. In the 2014 offering of Community Ethnography, Jillian Bonafede ’15 designed a project that aimed to determine the role of introversion and extroversion in group-based
projects. One of her early questions was to understand whether an individual’s personality state, as either introverted or extroverted, impacted small group dynamics. In discussing the course, she says that, “One of the most important things that I learned, was how to effectively interview someone. It's such a great skill, because, whether we realize it or not, every interaction that we have with one another is a sort of interview, and it takes practice to get the most out of each of those interactions.” Since completing the course, Bonafede has moved to write her Honors Capstone thesis on dynamics of individual behavior in group-based project settings. In 2013, Lindsey Lerner ’15 developed a project on homeless shelters in Providence, Rhode Island. In her research, Lerner visited a shelter, interviewed several families and individuals who lost their jobs and homes in the economic recession, and conducted a survey about their perceptions of homelessness. In addition, she photographed people in and around the shelter as a visual means to educate readers about the plight of the nearly 5,000 homeless living in Rhode Island that year. About her experience in the course, Lerner says, “A lot of college courses keep you in the classroom with strict guidelines. Community Ethnography allowed me to get outside of the rigid structure and learn from experience.” She continues, “If there's no understanding about how people operate and the world around you, then how is it possible to do business with them or work with them in another manner?” Through in-depth training in research skills, students gain a stronger appreciation for the role that that these methods can play in their daily lives and career goals. Since finishing the course, Lerner has moved to develop her own project, called D.Y.D. (Do Your Dance), which encourages pre-college students to find their passion early in life. Lerner plans to bring her spirited talks to schools throughout New England in the coming months as well as using D.Y.D. to bridge the gap between music and performing artists and venues across the state to raise the local economy. Lerner states that the research methods learned in the course provided her a solid foundation for moving forward with her career aspirations. Spring 2015
Lerner’s photo at a Providence homeless shelter.
5
~A & S Student and Alumni Profiles~ LAUREN KORDALSKI ‘15 (COMMUNICATION) Lauren Kordalski is a senior majoring in Communication from Neshanic Station, NJ. She has served as Assistant Editor-in-Chief of The Archway, in which she also received the Editor of the Year and Writer of the Year awards. Her other on-campus activities include the Bryant Outdoor Adventure Club and Bryant Student Ambassadors. During her time at Bryant, she was able to intern at WPRI, Channel 12 in Rhode Island, and at 103.2 Dublin City FM in Dublin, Ireland. She credits Bryant for her "amazing internships" during her sophomore and junior years. At WPRI, an internship secured with the help of Communication Professor Tom Zammarelli, she was able to go on-scene with reporters, contribute to newsroom meetings, and even conduct some interviews of her own. She furthered her communication skills by working and living abroad. The radio station she interned with in Dublin provided the opportunity to immerse herself in the culture. In addition to the internship, this unique study abroad experience also included taking a "History of Ireland" course. Lauren has also called the Rhode Island Lottery numbers live on television. This uncommon position is offered to Communication majors at Rhode Island colleges, which was initially brought to her attention by Communication Professor Stanley Baran. Lauren has expressed how grateful she is for the incredible opportunities that the College of Arts & Sciences has offered her. The passionate professors, individualized attention, and diverse extracurricular activities has made Lauren's experience here truly meaningful. While she is sad to be graduating this May, she knows Bryant has prepared her for the journey ahead.
KEVIN BROWN ‘13 (POLITICS & LAW) Kevin Brown, originally from Northboro, MA, graduated Cum Laude from Bryant University in 2013 with a major in Politics and Law and minored in both Sociology and Business Administration. He was the Politics and Law Commencement Award winner, graduating with a 3.77 GPA in the major. Since graduation, he has established himself by achieving success in a different field—professional baseball. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs organization in the 22nd round in the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft and in less than two years has been promoted to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, just one step away from the Majors and Wrigley Field. During his four years on campus Kevin put together one of the most accomplished baseball careers in the history of Bryant. At the conclusion of his senior season, the outfielder (and sometimes third baseman) and two-time team captain was named Bryant University’s 2013 Male Athlete of the Year, the Northeastern Conference Player of the Year, a New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association All-Star, First-Team American Baseball Coaches Association All-Northeast Region, Third Team American Baseball Coaches Association All-American, and a Second-Team Capital One Academic AllPhoto by: Peter Aiken, © Bryant University Athletics
American.
Being named an Academic All-American identified Kevin as one of the most outstanding student-athletes in the country. In in a recent interview with the publication Baseball Journal, Kevin explained: “I took my education seriously. My whole life, I wasn’t allowed to play baseball unless I got the grades. That was instilled in me when I was young. And if you don’t have good grades, you can’t really play Division I baseball. I tell that to every kid I do lessons with [as a private hitting instructor during the off-season].” Spring 2015
6
DO YOU KNOW WHERE OUR FORMER A&S STUDENTS ARE? GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS Law School at George Washington University Master’s in Strategic Communication at American University Ph.D. in Economics at the University of New Hampshire Master’s in Counseling at Central Connecticut State University Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the MGH Institute of Health Professionals Ph.D. in Political Science at the University of Connecticut Law School at the University of Chicago Master’s in Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Fairfield University Ph.D. in Economics at the University of Texas at Austin Ph.D. in Biostatistics at the University of Michigan Master’s in Communication at Bryant University Master’s in Economics at the University of New Hampshire Ph.D. in Political Science at Brown University Law School at Wake Forest University Master’s in Media Literacy at Webster University Master’s in Education Policy at the University of Washington Law School at Boston College Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh Master’s in Teaching at Boston University Master’s in I/O Psychology at Xavier University Law School at Loyola University Chicago Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Kent State University Master’s in Education at Boston College Master’s in Social Work at Boston University Ph.D. in Molecular Biology at Northeastern University Master’s in Higher Education and Student Affairs at the University of Connecticut Master’s in Mental Health Counseling at Providence College Master’s in Developmental Psychology at the University of Virginia Master’s in Social Work at Boston College Master’s in Environmental Studies at the University of Pennsylvania Ph.D. in Pharmacy at the University of Rhode Island Master’s in Business Administration at Monmouth University Master’s in Science in Global Environmental Studies at Bryant University Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Toledo Master’s in Public Policy and International Studies at Syracuse University Master’s in Business Administration at Bryant University Among many, many others...
Spring 2015
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DO YOU KNOW WHAT OUR A&S STUDENTS HAVE ACCOMPLISHED? A SMALL SAMPLE OF STUDENT RESEARCH TITLES “Measuring the Impact of Demographic and Behavioral Factors on Obesity and Depression” “An Epidemiological Approach to Modeling the Dynamics of Information Diffusion on Twitter” “Bootstrapping vs. Asymptotic Theory in Property and Casualty Loss Reserving” “The Relationship Between Bilingualism and Mathematical Ability” “The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade: A Choice for Reconciliation” “Social Diversity of Bryant Faculty—How Do We Compare Nationally?” “Globalization and the Spread of American Popular Culture” “The Impact of Foreign Aid on the Economies of Developing Countries” “Retreating to Their Corners: International Trade in a Multipolar System” “Environmental Policies of the United States and Costa Rica” “Human Trafficking: Is the International Community Approach to Human Trafficking Effective?” “Desegregating College Football in the 1960s: The Cause, The Fight, The Win” “The Drug Culture in the Age of Rebellion” “An Examination of Localization Success Factors of Chinese Big Four Accounting Firms” “Domestic violence prevention for immigrant women in French Parisian suburbs since 1990” “Spanish and Latin American influences and portrayals in the U.S. American Entertainment Industry” “Stable isotope signals from exceptionally-preserved plant fossils reveal paleo-physiological adaptations to different atmospheric conditions” “Psychological study on incident memory” “The relationship between personality traits and health attitudes” “Self-disclosure among new acquaintances as it correlates with friendship development” “Psychopathy in fields of study and gender in an undergraduate population” “The psychological experience of D1 college athletes pursuing professional draft selection” “Relationships among energy drink use, social problem solving ability, and academic performance” “Can kids be kids here? The evaluation of hospital playrooms by child life specialists” “The relationship among grit, self-deception, and employee performance” “Lessons from The Karate Kid: Using popular films in Educational Psychology” “The impact of aerobic exercise on the selective attention of low- and middle-SES students” “Videoconference-based learning for educational psychology undergraduates and fifth graders” “A Smoke and Mirrors Game: Fragmented Federalism and Medical Marijuana” “The Constitutionality and Effects of the Patient Protection and the Affordable Care Act” “Setting the Agenda on Gun Violence in America: The Media and Congress Take Aim” “Role of social reasoning in problem solving and strategy use” “Comparison of ciliate fauna in an intertidal microbial community at an oiled site in Narragansett Bay” “Carcinogenic amine and heavy metal content of sediment from the Blackstone River” “Molecular carbon and hydrogen isotope profiles from the Neolithic Tianloushan site in China” “Borrellia Burgdorferi: VLSE1 as a Potential Ganglioside Binding Protein” Among many, many others...
Spring 2015
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~A & S Faculty and Student Research~ WHAT IF I AM THAT ONE IN A MILLION? Heather Lacey, Applied Psychology People receive health risk information
that are extremely rare can cause serious
without attending much to the probability
all of the time. We hear it from our doc-
worry and weigh heavily on decision mak-
of those events. In other words, we think
tors, who remind us that healthy habits
ing, especially for some individuals. To an
there are some people who fixate on the
can reduce our risk of heart disease. We
extent, this may reflect poor comprehen-
possibility of “being the one” and respond
also read about it in news articles that
sion of probability, but this is clearly not
with as much worry to a 1-in-a-million
identify some new risk factor for cancer,
the only factor because improving skill
risk as they do to a 1-in-10 risk. Our short
and we even see it in ads that urge us to
with numeracy and probabilities does not
self-response questionnaire reliably iden-
use a particular toothpaste by reminding
always improve calibration to risks.
tifies these individuals and we are testing
us of our risk of gingivitis. But do people
In an ongoing line of research with
how well it predicts their decision making
fully understand those risks? And do they
collaborators at the University of Michi-
in risky situations. Ultimately, we think
respond rationally to them?
gan and the University of Missouri, we
this will be a useful tool in real-world
Psychological theories of risk percep-
have developed an individual difference
medical decision making, such as when a
tion have long shown that emotional
measure to identify people who have a
patient must weigh the risk of some
response to risk is not necessarily cali-
strong emotional reaction to the mere
health condition against the risk of some
brated to actual risk levels. Even risks
possibility of some outcome occurring,
rare but serious treatment side-effect.
COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Aubrey Waz ‘15 transferred to Bryant for her second year
and their relationship. Each scenario centered on conflict in the
of college and will be graduating in just three years. She is an
relationship, and differed according to the four conditions. Each
Applied Psychology major focused on social psychology. She
was designed to be subtle but unambiguous in order to test
plans to seek a Ph.D. to continue her research on domestic vio-
whether participants could identify and differentiate with less
lence and sexual assault. This spring she attended her second
obvious forms of abuse. For example, the physically abusive ar-
academic conference, in Philadelphia, to present her most recent
gument included grabbing and intimidation, rather than punch-
research study, “Community Perceptions of Domestic Violence,”
ing or kicking. Participants were then asked to rate how healthy
which was completed under the supervision of Heather Lacey.
or unhealthy the relationship was, how physically, emotionally,
This study sought to evaluate whether 252 college students
and sexually abusive it was, and who was to blame for the abuse.
could distinguish between a healthy or unhealthy relationship, and further, distinguish between emotional abuse, physical abuse, or sexual assault. A 2013
Results: The study found that men were sigWaz plans to seek a Ph.D. to continue her research on domestic violence and sexual assault.
nificantly less likely than women to identify sexual abuse and healthy relationships, and marginally less likely to identify physical
study conducted by Branch, Richards, and Dretsch of the
abuse, whereas women were more sensitive to these conditions.
University of Tampa indicates that between 50 to 80 percent of
By contrast, there was a non-significant trend towards men
women experience emotional abuse, 15 to 25 percent of women
properly identifying emotional abuse, whereas women did not.
experience sexual assault, and 20 to 30 percent of women expe-
All participants were significantly more likely to refer to the
rience physical abuse. Statistics of this nature express the severi-
emotionally abusive condition as manipulative than the other
ty of the problem.
conditions, but only marginally more likely to use the label
In the survey, college students were randomly assigned to
“emotional abuse.” Participants were marginally more likely to
read one of four scenarios describing a relationship between a
indicate that Jane should leave in the physically abusive rela-
heterosexual college-age couple, “Jane” and “Joe.” The scenarios
tionship and significantly more likely in the emotionally abusive
described either a healthy relationship, a physically abusive
scenario. Men were significantly more likely to call Joe weak,
relationship, an emotionally abusive relationship, or a sexually
and women were significantly more likely to call Jane weak.
abusive relationship. The back story for each scenario was consistent, providing some general characteristics of the couple Spring 2015
Aubrey hopes to publish this study in an academic journal within the next year.
9
NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN CREATIVE AND APPLIED ARTS Terri Hasseler, English and Cultural Studies In 2013, English and Cultural Studies launched a new concentration in Creative and Applied Arts. In this program, students take a range of studio-based courses in drawing, 2D design, digital design, digital photography, as well as 3D sculptural work in classes on Book Art and Environmental Art. Courses in creative writing give students workshop experiences creating with words. Students begin the concentration with LCS 220, Creativity in the Arts. In this course, they are introduced to the ways that artists and writers talk about the creative process, from writer Annie Dillard’s observations on inspiration to Lewis Hyde’s critique of capitalism and its impact on the generation and circulation of creative ideas.
Students reviewing the sketchbooks completed by students in LCS 220. This was a 30 day challenge to sketch for 15 minutes each day. The event was funded by a Bryant Innovation Grant, ECS and CAS. (November 2014)
On April 2, students in this introductory course spent an afternoon crafting street art in the rotunda.
work, ECS will be hosting a Pop Up Gallery on April 28
As they drew their pieces on the floor of the rotunda, hun-
from 6:00-8:00 P.M. in MRC 4. On display will be work
dreds of students and faculty poured through the space, many
from studio classes on drawing and book altering, as well as
stopping to raise questions, to admire the students’ work, and
individual creative pieces by student artists. Graduating seniors
to ask if they could do something like this, too. Given a chance
in the capstone course for the Creative and Applied Arts
to create, most students want more and more opportunities.
Concentration will be presenting their final projects.
In response to this interest in creating and presenting their
Please make sure to encourage your students to attend.
Creating street art in the rotunda.
PLEASE CONTRIBUTE TO THE MAGAZINE! If you have news, articles, ideas, comments or would like to volunteer to help with the magazine, please contact Rich Holtzman (rholtzma@bryant.edu). Issue 1, Spring 2015 was edited by Rich Holtzman, Associate Professor of Political Science and Jenna Husted ’15, Politics & Law major, Applied Psychology, Communication, and Business Administration minor. Special thanks to College of Arts & Sciences Dean Wendy Samter and Kim Keyes, Academic Support Manager, Office of the Provost.
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FROM NUREMBERG TO THE HAGUE Michael Bryant, History and Social Sciences The
Since its founding, law students and advanced undergrads from the following schools have attended the program:
Department of History and
memoration of the 70th anniversary of the
Social Sciences is pleased to partner with
criminal trial of wartime Nazi leaders before
Creighton University Law School to
the International Military Tribunal (IMT).
Bryant University
provide a unique educational opportunity for
Beginning in November 1945, just six months
Bryant
undergraduates.
after Nazi’s Germany’s defeat, the four victo-
Creighton University
Creighton’s Nuremberg Summer Program,
rious Allied powers in the words of IMT Chief
The University of Nebraska
“From Nuremberg to The Hague” (or
Prosecutor U.S. Supreme Court Justice Rob-
The University of Miami
“N2H”), gives students an opportunity to
ert Jackson “stayed the hand of vengeance”
learn firsthand about the Holocaust in
and put twenty-one of the highest-ranking
Nuremberg, the Bavarian city that hosted the
Nazi leaders on trial before a panel of judges
Faulkner School of Law
Nazi war crimes trials after World War II and
from the U.S., U.K., U.S.S.R., and France. The
Chapman University
is considered the birthplace of modern inter-
IMT trial is universally recognized today as
national criminal law. The program is open to
one of the most significant criminal trials in
Bryant and Creighton students (grad and
history and marked the beginning of interna-
undergrad) as well as students from universi-
tional criminal law as a modern discipline.
ties within the U.S. and across the world. Last
For law and lawyers, the trials at Nuremberg
summer, Jenna Husted ‘15 and Nathan
is their D-Day.
upper-level
Hirshbein ‘15, both Bryant Politics and Law majors, participated.
The 70th Anniversary Commemoration of the Nuremberg Trials, or “N70,” will last one
Oregon University
The University of Houston Capital University The University of California, Berkeley University of Vermont Law School
N2H students spend the majority of the
week (July 17-26, 2015). Participants will
The University of Marburg
month in Germany, as well as time in The
seek to remember, experience, and honor
(Germany)
Netherlands, Poland, and Austria. An integral
what occurred in Nuremberg 70 years ago.
part of their class experience consists of field
The highlight of the N70 commemoration will
The University of Nurem-
trips to former Nazi camps, such as Dachau
be a one-day program on July 24, 2015 in
and Auschwitz, as well as visits to Hitler’s
Courtroom 600 of the Palace of
“Eagle’s Nest” retreat in the Alps. Students
Justice in Nuremberg, where the
also travel to The Hague, where war criminals
International Military Tribunal
are being prosecuted in the International
and a number of the subsequent
Criminal Court, the Special Chambers of the
Nuremberg trials took place. N70
Special Court for Sierra Leone, and the Inter-
is co-sponsored by Creighton
national Criminal Tribunal for the Former
University Law School and the
Yugoslavia (ICTY). By combining classroom
California Judges Association.
instruction with field trips to actual crime
CLE
scenes, places of conspiracy and current tri-
is available.
als, students are exposed to an unprecedented array of historical and legal experiences.
credit
for
Kenyatta University (Kenya)
participation
Those interested in N70 are welcome to contact either Profes-
Students take two three-credit courses in
sor Bryant (see contact below) or
classrooms held at Erlangen University, near
Dean Michael Kelly of Creighton
the center of Nuremberg’s Old City. The
Law
courses are International Criminal Law and
mkelly@creighton.edu).
School
(402-280-3455,
the Impact and Legacy of the Holocaust on
Students interested in learn-
the Law and these are fully transferable to
ing more about N2H are invited
satisfy Bryant University electives.
to contact Michael Bryant of
For the first time in July 2015, the N2H
the Department of History and
experience will bring U.S. judges, lawyers,
Social Sciences (401-232-6585,
and legal practitioners to Nuremberg in com-
mbryant@bryant.edu).
Spring 2015
berg/Erlangen (Germany)
A view of the Obersalzberg from the Eagle’s Nest.
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COMING THIS FALL: A LITTLE BIT OF IMPROV Allison Butler, Applied Psychology (and Improv Enthusiast) http://galleryhip.com/improv-comedy.html
I could not be more thrilled to announce that a new student organization will debut on campus in the fall: The Bryant Improv Troupe (BIT). Impro visat io nal
th eater ,
or
“improv,” is a style of live performance in which the characters, events, and dialogue in a scene are generated spon-
improv is very enjoyable and extremely funny. Ultimately, the BIT will evolve into a performance group, with shows performed at campus
events
and
even
off-
campus with other universities or at local organizations. Leedberg is excited about the
taneously by the actors. Typically, the actors ask for audience
opportunity to enhance the performing arts presence on
suggestions (“Twinkies!”) to serve as inspiration for the scenes
pus. She notes that “students in an improv troupe have opportu-
which take place without costumes or props. Improvisation was
nities to connect with peers, build a creative mindset, and devel-
highlighted on the popular television show Whose Line Is It Any-
op quick thinking skills. All of these are important in the real
way? and is often used by sketch comedy actors on Saturday
world and are skills that would help in any job.”
Night Live when they are developing new scenes and characters.
cam-
Allie Spica ’18 (Vice President), Nicole D’Andrea ’18
Lauren Leedberg ’18 will be the inaugural e-board Presi-
(Treasurer), and Kayla Murphy ‘17 (Secretary) comprise the
dent of the improvisational theater group which will gather stu-
rest of the very enthusiastic e-board, and I am the incredibly
dents weekly to practice the “rules” of improv, play improv
lucky faculty member who will get to be the group’s advisor.
games, and to create comedic scenes. Even though improv shows
Please spread the word about this exciting new group and
are fully unscripted, excelling in the art of improv requires focus,
contact Lauren at lleedberg@bryant.edu if you are interested in
trial and error, and a lot of practice. Thankfully, practicing
joining!
ARTS & SCIENCES GRADUATES BY THE NUMBERS Amy Weinstein, AMICA Center Every spring the Amica Center for Career Education administers a post-graduation survey to all Bryant Seniors. The following are results for the class of 2014. 82% of majors from the College of Arts & Sciences responded to the survey. Based on those numbers here is the good news…
85% of Arts & Sciences majors accepted full-time employment.
15% of Arts & Sciences majors accepted graduate school admissions.
Facts about graduate school:
8 Arts & Sciences majors from the 2014 graduating class are continuing at graduate programs through Bryant.
7 Arts & Sciences majors are attending graduate programs for Psychology or Teaching at universities including Boston University, UCONN, Providence College and the University of Virginia to name a few…
Facts about employment:
5% of all Bryant majors went to work in the Healthcare/Bio industry.
4% of all Bryant majors went to work in Non-profit/Government/Education sector.
Top employers for Arts & Sciences majors in the class of 2014 include: SSCG Media Group, Bradley Hospital, RI Republican Party, Mercer, and The Hanover to name a few… Pay it forward, share your success story! Tell us where you found your internship or where you’ve been accepted to graduate school. We will blast your success through social media. This helps celebrate you and builds awareness for Arts & Sciences campus -wide. Learn more about our #CelebrateWithAmica campaign at https://bryantcareer.wordpress.com/2015/03/26/ celebratewithamica/
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