IU School of Liberal Arts

In The News - December 2011

News Categories: Anthropology | Centers | English | Political Science

Arts Illiana Announces Wordfest
The Woods, December 1, 2011

Arts Illiana, the Arts Council of Wabash Valley, announces Wordfest: Wabash Valley Creative Writing Symposium held December 2-3, 2011 at the Vigo County Public Library.  The newly appointed Indiana Poet Laureate, Karen Kovacik, Professor of English, was the keynote speaker for the two-day event. [Article]

CME Reportedly Looking into Move to Indy
WTHR, December 5, 2011

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange may bring hundreds of jobs to central Indiana.  An incentive package intended to keep the exchange in Chicago failed, but they could be drafting another proposal.  Bob Harris, Professor of Economics, states that "no matter what Chicago offers, we should consider the move."  [Article]

IUPUI Exhibit to Examine Various Types of Homelessness
Indiana Public Media, December 8, 2011

A student-curated exhibit entitled, "What Does Homelessness Look Like?" was featured at the Indianapolis Central Library December 6-20, 2011.  The exhibit focused on how and why archaeologists study homeless material culture. Larry Zimmerman, Professor of Anthropology and Museum Studies, offered a few examples of homeless individuals, stating that the type of homelessness "depends on the individual".  [Article]

Racial Identity Important After Adoption
Kansas City InfoZine, December 16, 2011

Parents who adopt children from overseas may not be prepared for confronting race issues their child/children may face.  Philip Goff, Director of the Center on Religion and American Culture, explained a few struggles he and his wife experienced in the adoption of two children and their strategies for working through them.  [Article]

Archaeology of Homelessness
NUVO, December 16, 2011

Larry Zimmerman, Professor of Anthropology and Museum Studies, and his students discuss their exhibit on homelessness in Indianapolis. The exhibit is running at the Indianapolis Central Library December 6, 2011 to January 27, 2012, and was created as part of a class co-taught by Professor Elizabeth Kryder-Reid.  The exhibit explains their research strategy and results, and the student’s thoughts on their work and value of their research.  [Article]

Uterine Transplants: a New Frontier in Science
The Indianapolis Star, December 17, 2011

A handful of researchers, including some at the Indiana School of Medicine, are examining whether uterine transplants might help women who lack a womb to bear children.  Thousands of women could benefit, but practical and ethical questions remain.  Eric Meslin, director of Indiana University Center for Bioethics and a professor of philosophy, remarks that these possible transplant procedures would be "phenomenal". [Article]

IPS Voters Would Lose Their Say Under Mind Trust Reform Proposal
The Indianapolis Star, December 18, 2011

The Mind Trust’s controversial reform proposal would transfer control of the Indianapolis Public Schools to the mayor and city-county council. For this proposal to succeed, lawmakers must persuade voters that this action will be beneficial, even though it would mean voters who live in IPS would not be allowed to elect their school board.  Brian Vargus, Professor of Political Science, states that the importance of this concern is determined by the reaction of the voters.  [Article]

Scandals Could Mean Rough Start for New City-County Council
The Indy Channel, December 21, 2011

After scandals surfaced with the new City-County Council, many people have lost their trust in the public officials.  William Blomquist, Professor of Political Science, states that shamed politicians can have a destructive affect on other public officials.  Blomquist suggests these scandals may lead the public not to participate in government events such as voting and attending council meetings.  [Article]

Political Analyst Speaks of Biggest Winners and Losers in 2011
Indy’s News center, December 27, 2011

Brian Vargus, Professor of Political Science, suggests that the Indiana Republicans are big winners because their position enabled them to push through redistricting, a move that may help them set gains in 2012. He also says groups helped by federal stimulus dollars made big gains. Alternatively he states that cities, towns, and schools across the state suffered loss in 2011. [Article]

*Articles compiled by Angela Vinci-Booher

Published on: January 12, 2012