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Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Karla Padron, Postdoctoral Fellowship Appointment

KARLA PADRON, American Studies PhD candidate, has accepted a postdoctoral fellowship appointment in the department of Women and Gender Studies at Bowdoin College.

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

U of Mich. CFP "Envisioning American Studies" Conference

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN is pleased to announce a call for papers for their conference Envisioning American Studies: An Anniversary Conference on March 18th, 2016. See below for submission guidelines and more information.

Envisioning American Studies:
An Anniversary Conference
March 18, 2016
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
The Department of American Culture at the University of Michigan announces a call for papers that highlight new approaches and emerging research at the forefront of American studies. Selected papers will be presented at a conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan on March 18, 2016.
This conference will feature recent Ph.D.s from around the world who are poised to advance American studies scholarship in the coming years. Together we will celebrate the 80th anniversary of our department and the emergence of the field. We seek papers that demonstrate original approaches, a wide range of emerging fields of scholarly inquiry, and compelling work in all branches of American studies. We are especially interested in scholars who have not yet published their first books, as we will be inviting editors of several academic presses to attend. We welcome proposals for papers or for panels (conventional, roundtable, state-of-the-field).
This anniversary recognizes recent archival research revealing that Michigan's American Culture program is the oldest of its kind in the nation. In 1935, several U-M faculty launched a concentration in the "Development of American Culture" that was committed to an interdisciplinary exploration of national meaning and belonging. In subsequent decades, American Culture has embraced a capacious approach in which American studies has been inextricably bound up with questions of social justice. Building on this rich tradition, our program brings together African American studies, Arab and Muslim American studies, Asian and Pacific Islander American studies, digital studies, Latina/o studies, and Native American studies under the umbrella of American Culture. In addition, these interdisciplinary pursuits continue to encompass history, literature, disability studies, media studies, and queer studies. Intellectually and methodologically, our department, like the field, has been marked by a critical forward-looking perspective and a climate that promotes academic scholarship with the potential to influence social change.
Applicants should submit a two-page overview of their manuscript project, a 300-word paper or panel abstract, a brief CV (two pages), and contact information. Materials should be submitted by November 15, 2015. The University of Michigan will provide lodging, meals, and travel expenses for those selected to participate. Please email your proposal and any questions to amcult.80th@umich.edu.

SDSU Women's Studies Position

SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY is pleased to announce a job opening in their Department of Women's Studies. The position is tenure track and centered around Global Cultural Studies: Gender and Representation. See below for further details.

Global Cultural Studies: Gender and Representation
The Department of Women's Studies seeks a tenure-track candidate at the Assistant or Associate Professor level whose research and teaching are based in transnational feminist theory and activism. The candidate should approach their work from an interdisciplinary, intersectional, and social justice perspective. We seek to hire in the area of cultural studies and/or media studies with a preference for a specialty in feminist queer studies. The candidate should be prepared to teach courses in Feminist Theory as well as courses within their area of specialty. A candidate with a Ph.D. in Women's Studies is strongly preferred, with a minimum of a graduate minor or concentration in Women's Studies required. The candidate should meet the following requirements:
• A demonstrated commitment to undergraduate teaching of a diverse student population in an Hispanic-serving institution, including theoretical and applied perspectives
• A commitment to strengthen an already successful M.A. program in Women's Studies
• A willingness to collaborate in College and University programs related to international, transnational, postcolonial, decolonial, sexuality, critical race and class, disability, and/or LGBTQ studies
• Ability to enhance curriculum in areas of transnational, postcolonial and/or decolonial feminist theory, methods, pedagogy, and activism and an interest in building connections theoretically and in practice (e.g. study abroad, transnational research, international internships)
• A strong record and promise of scholarly accomplishments appropriate to level of appointment
• Experience in working collaboratively with colleagues and communities in and out of the university to develop productive networks for feminist, social justice scholarship, creativity and/or pedagogical practices
To ensure full consideration, apply by Interfolio (link to be added soon) by October 23; the position will remain open until filled. For information about the Department, please visit womensstudies.sdsu.edu.
SDSU is a large, diverse, urban university and Hispanic-Serving Institution with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence. Our campus community is diverse in many ways, including race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, pregnancy, medical condition, and covered veteran status. We strive to build and sustain a welcoming environment for all. SDSU is seeking applicants with demonstrated experience in and/or commitment to teaching and working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and members of underrepresented groups.
The person holding this position is considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirement set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Teaching Positions

OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE is looking for PhD students who are interested in teaching next year. OLLI is a learning program for retirees 55+ and offers a paid position and the ability to design your own course. See below for more information.

OLLI is a lifelong learning program for retirees 55+. We are a program of the College of Continuing Education, University of Minnesota. OLLI members are highly educated and intellectually curious. Many are retired professors or professionals who are pursuing lifelong passions and interests through OLLI's non credit course offerings. Many OLLI members continue their vocation as educators by designing and offering courses for OLLI. OLLI courses tend to be "scholarly", offering academic challenge but without the tests and grades. OLLI members enjoy learning about the latest research and findings in a wide variety of fields. It is for this reason that the OLLI Scholar program was created. I have attached our Spring 2015 Course Guide so you can take a look at the types of courses currently offered.
The OLLI Scholar program is a opportunity for PhD and professional school students to design and deliver a full course to OLLI members. Payment is $1,000 per course. Our terms are 8 week fall, 6 weeks winter and 7 weeks spring. We have a classroom in McNamara so students need not have a vehicle. We also offer classes anywhere on campus that will host us including the St. Paul Campus, and throughout Minneapolis/St. Paul and inner ring suburbs; one's own transportation is required off campus. OLLI Scholars must be matriculated students in the term in which they deliver their course.
All applications require a signature from the adviser. Here's the most important thing about this program: While OLLI Scholars do benefit from the design and delivery process which may enhance their resume, not to mention the pay, most report that the real pay-off is in teaching this particular population of highly engaged, well informed students who actively participate in class and ask great questions. A number of OLLI Scholars have returned to present a course for no pay, just because they enjoyed their experience as an OLLI Scholar.
OLLI Scholars are selected in mid-June for the entire upcoming academic year. OLLI terms are:
Fall 2015: 9/21/15 - 11/13/15
Winter 2016: 1/25/16 - 3/5/16
Spring 2016: 3/28/16 - 5/13/16
There are three steps/requirements to application:
1. Complete a short Google doc Interest Form briefly describing the course in mind. Deadline May 22, 2015. The doc can be found at: http://olli.umn.edu/osher-lifelong-learning-institute/olli-scholars
2. Completion of a formal course proposal (most candidates will be contacted by the OLLI office or a current OLLI course leader to further discuss their course idea prior to receiving the formal course proposal). The office will email the link to the course proposal. Deadline: June 5, 2015.
3. Submission of the OLLI Scholar Adviser Signature Form. Deadline: July 31, 2015.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Scott Laderman, PhD 2005, earns Fulbright Scholarship

Scott Laderman, PhD 2005, has earned a Fulbright Scholarship to teach at the University of Hong Kong for 10 months. Scott is an American studies Alumni and currently an Associate Professor of history in the College of Liberal Arts at UMD. Click here to learn more.

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

2015-2016 Teaching Applications

To apply for a 2015-16 teaching position, please complete the attached application. Because assisting positions are limited we recommend that all students who have passed their prelims also apply to the teaching pool. Please feel free to contact Colleen (612-624-1871) with any questions.



The processes and selection criteria by which teaching assistant resources are distributed in American Studies are intended to seek balance among the following rationales: curricular needs, programmatic obligations, equity, and merit. The goal of the Department is that every graduate student will, at some point before graduation, have the opportunity to teach his or her own American Studies course. In accordance with University policy, the Chair of the Department ultimately makes staffing decisions.


Click App Teaching Pool FY16.docxfor the 2015-16 American Studies Teaching Application form.

Incoming Graduate Cohort for Fall 2015

We are pleased to announce the incoming graduate cohort for 2015. We
look forward to having Michelle Chang, Vanessa Guzman, Rachelle
Henderson, Brendan McHugh, and Mathew Treon join our department in the
fall.

Michelle Chang: (aka Chip) BA in History and Political Science from UC
San Diego. Currently working on an MA in Asian American Studies from
UCLA (has not left the Southern California bubble). Interests include
the production of race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality (etc.) in
popular culture. Current research examines hip hop and the
racialization of African and Asian Americans.

Vanessa Guzman: B.A. in History and Chicana/o Studies from UCLA and
an M.A. in Cultural Studies from Claremont Graduate University.
Interested in informal economies, labor movements, immigration, and
urban geography.

Rachelle R. Henderson: B.A. in Linguistics from Purdue University;
M.A. in English Language and Linguistics from Purdue University.
Research interests include a sociolinguistic, discourse analytic study
examining the role of geographic place, family, and history in the
construction of gender, sexual, and social identities of mixed race
individuals in the U.S.

Brendan McHugh: B.A. in women's studies at San Francisco State
University. Interested in the history of U.S. AIDS/HIV activism of
Black and White Men Together in the 1980s and 1990s and the
organization's transnational connections to LGBT activists in South
Africa and the former U.S.S.R.

Matthew Treon: M.A. in English from University of Rochester; M.F.A. in
Creative Writing from University of Colorado; B.A. in Sociology from
University of North Texas. Research areas include American popular
music, hip hop, rock, sound studies, film, stand-up comedy, prison
studies, representations of race and class in popular culture and
politics.

Imagining America JGS Photo Fellowship Program

IMAGINING AMERICA is also offering the JGS Photo Fellowship Program. Publicly engaged students of photography or digital media are invited to apply for a tuition award of $2,000 and join a national working group of students that will result in a collaborative media project. The deadline is June 1st 2015. Click here for more information.

Imagining America Page Fellows Program

IMAGINING AMERICA is offering a graduate fellowship. The PAGE Fellows Program is a $500 stipend for graduate students with an interest in in public scholarship and/or artistic practice. The deadline for this program is May 18th, 2015. Click here for more information.

THE CENTER for GERMAN and EUROPEAN STUDIES 2015 Trans-Atlantic Summer Institute

THE CENTER for GERMAN and EUROPEAN STUDIES is accepting applications for the 2015 Trans-Atlantic Summer Institute for advanced graduate students. The Center for German & European Studies will provide North American graduate students with a $750 stipend towards their travel expenses and room and board at the European University Viadrina are free of charge. The application deadline is May 15, 2015. Click here for more information.

Moodle Help Available May 7th, 2015

MOODLE HELP AVAILABLE tomorrow, Thursday May 7th from 9:30 am - 1 pm in Scott Hall room 103 and 1 pm - 4:30 pm in Scott Hall room 105 for any faculty or staff who would like a refresher or specific questions answered regarding Moodle Gradebook.

GRAD INSTRUCTORS & TAs Please Remove Items from Offices by May 22, 2015

GRAD INSTRUCTORS & TAs with Scott Hall Offices: Please remove all personal items from your office and return your key to the department office by Friday, May 22, 2015. Any unclaimed items will be removed. Please contact Zac with any questions (rakke001@umn.edu).

Mario Obando, PhD student article in Performance Matters

MARIO OBANDO, American Studies PhD Student will have an article "Performing Collisional Ethnic Studies: an (im)possible and (un)expected archive" appearing in the June inaugural issue of Performance Matters entitled "Archiving Performance."

Department of Geography, Environment and Society Social Brown Day

THE DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY, ENVIRONMENT, and SOCIETY is hosting a Social Brown Day Lecture titled "The Poor are Us": Middle class poverty politics in Buenos Aires and Seattle on Friday, May 1st in Blegen Hall room 445 at 3:30pm. Click here for more information.

STUDENTS for a DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY (SDS) Rally Outside McNamera

STUDENTS for a DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY (SDS) in coalition with other progressive groups will be rallying outside of the Board of Regents meeting at the McNamera Alumni Center to demand lower tuition, increased diversity, cuts to administrative bloat, and more ethical research practices which prioritize human health over the needs of major partnering corporations on Friday, May 8th, from 10:00am to 11:00am. Email umnsds@gmail.com for more details.

University Unions United Rally

UNIVERSITY UNIONS UNITED will be hosting a rally from 11:30am-12:30pm representing workers in both the AFSCME locals and the Teamsters local at UMN outside the Board of Regents meeting at the McNamera Alumni Center to demand living wages, equity in benefits, affordable health insurance, and respect in their workplace for all workers at UMN. The sponsoring unions represent clerical, technical, janitorial, food service, and other workers at the U. Email umnsds@gmail.com for more details.

Teaching Preferences due Wednesday, May 13

TEACHING ASSISTANT PREFERENCES DUE Wednesday, March 26th. Please submit your teaching assistantship preferences to Colleen by noon. You may submit via email at henne020@umn.edu or leave a copy of your preferences in her mailbox.

To apply for a TA-ship next year, please complete the attached application. Please feel free to contact Colleen (612-624-1871) with any questions. The deadline for the application is Wednesday, May 13, 2015. The processes and selection criteria by which teaching assistant resources are distributed in American Studies are intended to seek balance among the following rationales: curricular needs, programmatic obligations, equity, and merit. The goal of the Department is that every graduate student will, at some point before graduation, have the opportunity to teach his or her own American Studies course. In accordance with University policy, the Chair of the Department ultimately makes staffing decisions.


For the Application for the Department of American Studies Teaching Assistant Pool Fall 2015, Spring 2016 please click App Assisting Pool FY16.docx

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Grades due May 20th at 11:59pm

SPRING 2015 INSTRUCTORS: Grades for Spring 2015 courses should be entered online by Wednesday, May 20th at 11:59 p.m.

Please note: if you submit an incomplete for an undergraduate student, you must also submit a copy of the "Completion of Incomplete Work" agreement form (available from the link below). Fill out this agreement with the student and be sure to keep a copy for yourself, provide the student with a copy, and submit a copy to Laura for filing within the Department. If you have any problems with access or other questions, please contact Zac at rakke001@umn.edu.

Completion of Incomplete Work:
Policy
https://onestop.umn.edu/grades_and_transcripts/grades/incompletes.html
Form
https://www.class.umn.edu/crimson/dependancies/multimedia/CLA_Incomplete_FacultyStudent_Agreement.pdf

To enter final grades:
http://onestop.umn.edu/faculty/grades/final/index.html