April 2006

Designing Women for TV (Apr. 1 - 7)

After analyzing 30 years of television programming, communication professor Cynthia Lont (GMU) concludes that not much has changed in how women are portrayed. Male characters like Jack McCoy in Law & Order are permitted to age and go gray while their lovely female assistants are replaced every other year for a younger, leggier model. Lont says that situation would change by hiring more women as writers, producers and directors.

Also: History professor Leisa Meyer (W&M) offers a broad overview of the history of American sexuality in late 20 th century, as a way to understand broader cultural anxieties.

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Healing Through the Psalms (Apr. 8 - 14)

The experience of pain involves the body, the mind, the spirit and our relationship to community. Professor of Religion Kristin Swenson (VCU) discusses how the book of Psalms may be a timeless resource in helping us cope with pain in the modern world.

Also: English professor Martha Cook (LU) examines the literature and legacy of John Dos Passos, one of the greatest—and most often ignored—American writers of the 20 th century. Each year Longwood University awards the prestigious Dos Passos Prize for Literature. Each year Longwood University awards the prestigious John Dos Passos Prize for Literature and this year's winner, Tim Gautreaux, reads from his latest work.

Longwood's John Dos Passos Prize for Literature

Race, Class and Katrina (Apr. 15-21)

As we all know by now, Hurricane Katrina brutally exposed how race and class made a difference when the government responded to the disaster in New Orleans . Historians Dirk Philipsen and Renee Hill (VSU) say Katrina has given us an opportunity to examine our own communities in Virginia ; to look in our own backyards and make sure people aren’t drowning with no hurricane in sight.

Also: In January, 26 students (UVA) spent nine intense days in New Orleans mucking out houses, saving wedding dresses, cleaning trophies. They found it both unbearable and uplifting.

VSU's Institute for the Study of Race Relations

UVa's Center for Undergraduate Excellence

The Drastic Gastric Bypass Option (Apr. 22-28)

Gastric bypass operations that aid in the fight against obesity have been given a lot of attention in the media today, with many stars from the world of entertainment having undergone the surgery. The operation may hold a key to the prevention and cure of diabetes due to obesity, yet most insurance companies will not pay for the procedure. Joe Northup (UVA) believes that many people who need this operation are not getting it done simply because they can not afford it. .

Also: while moving from Arizona to Lynchburg, psychologist Cynthia Lofaso (Central Virginia Community College) was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of ovarian cancer. It’s a cancer that “whispers” and not many doctors “listen.” Fortunately, hers did.

More information about the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition and thier work in Central Virginia.

Romans in Iraq: Is History Repeating Itself? (Apr. 29 - May 5)

In 114 AD, the Roman Empire invaded the land of Parthia , the area where Iraq is now situated. After an easy victory, the Roman were soon immersed in fighting an insurgency they had not prepared for. Historian Rose Mary Sheldon (VMI) says there are lessons we can learn.

Also: The study of theArabic language is one of the fastest growing disciplines in higher education today. Arabic studies Professor Khadija Bentouhami (VMI) and Cadet Brian Kerrebrock, who recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq , talk about the cultural meanings of words in Arabic that may not be easily translatable into English.