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Oct. 24: Black masculinity, gender, popular culture to be explored in free lecture

October 24, 2013

Race, popular culture and masculinity are the topics of a free, public presentation at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, in Todd Hall 276, WSU Pullman.

Speaker, author and news commentator Mark Anthony Neal will present “Looking for Leroy: (Il)Legible Black Masculinities” – also the title of his most recent book. It explores the cultural meaning and significance of Jay-Z, Luther Vandross, Barack Obama and R. Kelley.

“Mark Anthony Neal is one of the nation’s foremost experts on black masculinity, particularly as it relates to media and popular culture,” said David Leonard, professor and chair of the Department of Critical Culture, Gender and Race Studies, which is hosting the event. The talk will help attendees better “interpret images and identities and engage popular culture critically,” Leonard said.

Former House Speaker Thomas Foley leaves profound public service legacy

October 18, 2013

After three decades of distinguished public service, former Washington State Congressman and 57th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Thomas S. Foley leaves a powerful legacy in public policy and education throughout Washington and nationwide. Widely admired for his quiet commitment to respectful leadership, Foley died Oct. 18 at age 84 at his home on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

Foley’s extensive work history and dedication to political and educational ideals are embodied in two resources at WSU: the Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service and a collection of his Congressional papers (1964-1995) housed in the WSU Libraries’ Manuscripts, Archives and Special Collections, both available to the public on the WSU Pullman campus.

“He was an inspirational politician whose commitment to civility and to honor in politics and public service underpins the philosophy of the institute that bears his name here, in the College of Arts and Sciences at WSU,” said Cornell Clayton, director of the Foley Institute.

Advancing social justice: Renowned sociologist, criminologist to speak, accept Wilson Award Oct. 17

October 13, 2013

Sociologist and criminologist Robert J. Sampson, one of the nation’s top scholars in studies of urban inequality, social structures and civic engagement, will present “Neighborhood Inequality and the New Social Transformation of the American City” on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 7 p.m. in the CUB Junior Ballroom. WSU will honor him with the William Julius Wilson Award for the Advancement of Social Justice as capstone to the 2013 William Julius Wilson Symposium.

“Rob Sampson is one of this country’s most imaginative, persistent, and tough-minded researchers into social life and the human condition. He is a most worthy recipient of the award,” said James Short, WSU emeritus professor of sociology.

Sociologist part of new NSF-funded project to evaluate partner accommodation policies

October 3, 2013

WSU sociologist Julie Kmec is part of a research team recently awarded a three-year, $449,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to study the effects of partner accommodation policies (PAPs), including their implications for increasing the number of female faculty teaching science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Working with faculty in the WSU School of Economics, she will help provide theoretical and empirical evaluations of PAPs, as well as a description of their presence and scope in major U.S. universities.

Foley Institute director to discuss civility, democracy Oct. 1

October 1, 2013

U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) hollers “You Lie!” at President Barack Obama during his health-care speech to Congress. Conservative talk-radio showman Rush Limbaugh labels a caller a “slut” because she advocates insurance coverage for contraceptive care. Occupy Wall Street protesters portray bankers as criminals. Is American democracy in the midst of an “incivility crisis”?

Cornell Clayton, political science professor and director of the Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service, will discuss “Being Wrong about Democracy: Political Incivility in a Polarized Society” at 7 p.m. today, Oct. 1, in the Smith Center for Undergraduate Education, Room 203. Hosted by the Common Reading Program, this presentation is free and open to the public.