Department of Modern Languages
Department News
YOU KNOW IT's FALL...
...when we're too busy to post a lot of news. But don't worry, there is a lot going on. Beckett's Krap's Last Tape/La Dernière Bande will be held, thanks to Professor Marie-Magdeleine Chirol's energy, October 28th at the Shannon Center. Please join us for this annual Francophone treat, which this year will be presented in both French and English.
We've also had some important congratulations in store: Professor Doreen O'Connor-Gómez was awarded the key to the college at last spring's Honor Convocation. ¡Felicitationes! Along with Dr. Mariano Zaro, a visiting professor in Modern Languages, Professor O'Connor-Gómez also presented Thinking España: Borrando Fronteras.
An examination of contemporary Spanish poets, most born at the end of the
Franco regime and educated under the laws of the new Constitution of 1978... Their presentation was at the AATSP in Costa Rica.
Alumna Molly Rademacher sends us news from France, where she is teaching school and...harvesting grapes! She writes:
For those of you who might not know why I'm here in France, I am here for seven months as an assistant in English classes in three different elementary schools in the town of Blois which is in the Loire Valley. I have nine classes that I work in. In all but three I will be working with the teacher, helping with things like pronunciation... This week I've been visiting and observing in my classes and will start teaching next week. This weekend I went with Françoise's daughter, Anne-Claire, to the family home and winery in the compagne (countryside). It is run by Françoise's brother, Claude. It is a really small vineyard of only eight rows of grapes. He doesn't sell the wine; it is just kept for the family and guests. I...We got to the vineyard at about 11 AM.
When we got there Claude and his neighbor Olivier were working and had completed about 3 half-rows. You do only half the rows at a time because they are closer to the "tracteur" which is on that end. It is moved to the other side when the first half is done. We started right in cutting the grape bunches. This process is called "vendage." We used "sécateurs" or garden clippers to cut them and then put them in basket/bucket type things. Two people work on a row of vines, one on each side so that all the bunches are gathered.
Dr. Mariano ZARO's new works online
Dr. Mariano Zaro's new work, The House of Mae Rim, is set to appear soon in print. In the meantime, you can watch selected readings online:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m6EjF3Lb-o
Pi DELTA PHI CELEBRATES SENIORS
On May 1st, Pi Delta Phi, the national French Honor Society, gathered at professor Wallis' house to say goodby to seniors. Au revoir (but not adieu!) et bonne chance! Voici des photos:
proud to honor STUDENTS' investment in culture and language
The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures is proud to honor the following students for their dedication to learning in our department:
Outstanding Student in Chinese: Gladys Mac
Outstanding Students in French:
Josefina Campos, Lesley Cole and Heidi Rohling
Outstanding Students in Spanish:
Tara Malloy Service and Leadership Award Winners:
Katie Maiorano and Maritza Cobian
Martin Ortiz Academic Excellence Award Winner: Karla Cortez
china trip a big success!
This January, Drs. Jennifer Holmes and George Da Roza took 24 students to China for ten days, visiting cities of Beijing, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Shanghai. Students saw what life must have been like for the Imperial Family as they walked through the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. They climbed the Great Wall and stood amazed at this architectural wonder. The students gathered at Tiananmen Square in awe of both its size and its place in modern Chinese history. 
They saw the making of cloisonne and silk, and they visited a pearl farm that raised oysters for pearl. From the famous West Lake region, they drank tea and remembered the Ancient Chinese poets who spoke of the beauty of that area. The students strolled through the famous gardens of Suzhou and Hangzhou dedicated to some of China’s most noted beauties. In Shanghai, they marveled at the modernity of the city and were enthralled by Chinese elementary schoolchildren at the top of the Pearl Tower who were eager to practice their English. They ate dishes from the well known Peking duck to regional delicacies such as Hangzhou spare ribs, pig’s feet, and purple congee. They rode on the world’s fastest train (the Meglev) from downtown Shanghai to the airport. In between it all, they shopped, buying silk, teas, embroidery, and items of personal interest. On their return, students wanted to know when the next excursion to China was. In short, a wonderful time was had by all. For pictures click on the slideshow.
Professor Geirola in Ecuador
Professor Gustavo Geirola spent January in Ecuador, where he conducted interviews as part of his major series of books on theater in Latin America--Arte y oficio del director teatral en América Latina. "My interviews are conceived as vital documents to explore aesthetic trends in acting and directing in the region, to learn about cross-cultural and interdisciplinary issues related to staging in Latin America. Several generations of artists in every country speak about their artistic concerns and traditions." His next trips will take him to Brazil, Bolivia and the Caribbean.
Professor Chabran returns from a semester in Denmark
The Department welcomes Professor Rafael Chabran back from a semester in Copenhagen... More news about this soon.
January '07 pictures
Dr. Wallis (French) and Dr. Les Howard (Sociology) had a great trip to Paris! Thanks to all the students who participated! As we explored diversity, urbanism, architecture, history, social class, the students really became Parisians. For more pictures, click on the slideshow!
